Welcome

The Faculty of Health, Keele University is actively engaged in Outreach, Widening Participation and Schools and Colleges Liaison. The Faculty Outreach group focuses on widening participation and schools and college liaison across the region, working closely with local healthcare providers; the independent and voluntary sector; schools and colleges; and many other organisations to facilitate and encourage learners from a range of backgrounds to enter Higher Education, and to apply to one of the Faculty’s undergraduate programmes in healthcare. We hold regular events for prospective students to receive information and advice on undergraduate programmes; entry requirements; and the application process. Additionally, the Faculty engages in many outreach activities across the region aimed at promoting awareness of the benefits of Higher Education. Activities include raising aspiration and attainment; mentoring; providing insight into healthcare careers; and providing work experience.  During the year the group have worked closely with HealthTec at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust.

HealthTec is a collaboration between the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Keele University, Staffordshire Universities, Stoke on Trent College, Newcastle under Lyme College, Stoke on Trent City Council, local schools and other key education and health partners. HealthTec aims to utilise existing facilities and partnerships, building on a strong basis to ensure inclusiveness and opportunity. The objectives are to deliver a flexible, responsive and transferable model of workforce development, which addresses the national, regional and local priorities of both the education and health sectors; and to provide opportunities for both work experience and career opportunities in line with local worklessness issues within North Staffordshire.

During the summer of 2013 the Faculty are hosting a range of Summer Schools in conjunction with HealthTec, to offer pupils a choice of subject areas. The two-day workshops are offered in Medicine; Pharmacy; Physiotherapy; Nursing; and Midwifery. The Faculty also participates in four University open days per year. Admissions staff also go to local secondary schools to talk to key stage 5 students about applying to health programmes at Keele and nationally.

Raising Aspiration

A group of medical students have been recruited, trained and supported by the medical school to develop a programme of raising aspiration activities under the student chosen name of Keele Medpath. The students are responsible for organising and delivering sessions to school children with support from the University. Time is allocated appropriately within the course for activities to take place.

Volunteer staff members help with the development of lesson plans and a partnership has been agreed with the Skills Academy at the University Hospital at North Staffordshire to assist the students in putting on sessions to benefit students from a range of different schools in a safe environment. Priority is given to students at key stage 3 & 4 so as to influence GCSE and A-Level subject choices.

Raising attainment

The University provides study support in the form of e-mentoring to WP students in Key Stage 4. This is provided to those wishing to study medicine through Keele Medpath. Students undertake e-Mentoring using the Keele supported safe e-mentoring package (Bright Journals).  Training is provided to student ambassadors by the University.

Providing insight into healthcare careers

A range of events were scheduled across the Faculty to provide information and guidance to both Careers advisors and students from local schools and colleges. In Spring 2013 the Faculty hosted two Careers Advisor seminars, which gave admissions and course information and advice to teachers and advisors in local schools and colleges on the Faculty’s main undergraduate programmes in Medicine; Pharmacy; Physiotherapy; Nursing; and Midwifery.

Each year the University holds a Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) information day entitled “So you want to be a doctor”, whereby school children can gain an insight into studying medicine. The 2013 RSM Careers day attracted over 250 school pupils, aged between 14-17, from over 40 schools all over the UK.

Guest speakers included Professor Terry Wardle, Liverpool University, Professor Peter Dangerfield, Liverpool University, Dr Karen Grant, Lancaster University, Dr Mohammed Jawad (FY1), UHNS, Dr Ruth Summerfield, Keele University Medical School and Mr Robert Kirby, UHNS.

The morning session was chaired by Foundation Year Doctor, Helen Clarke and delegates heard a range of talks including sessions on why to choose a medical career, how to choose a medical school, qualifications required and career pathways within medicine. After lunch the pupils rotated through a series of workshops, including practical sessions in the multi-user laboratories and resource room, a Q&A session with admissions tutors and the opportunity to talk to current practising doctors and students.

Providing enrichment

The University provides two WP programmes which are suitable for prospective medical students which provide enrichment in key stage 5. Access to the professions (A2P) provides young people with direct access to people who work in the professions through mentoring, although there may also be opportunities for work shadowing and career related visits. It also provides HE information, experience and contact with students currently undertaking the courses. Information on making successful university applications and interviews is also included.

Access to Keele (A2K) involves a more formal course of study to support entry to Keele University, through the completion of a portfolio of work demonstrating specific knowledge and skills, which is structured across three strands entitled Experience, Develop, and Learn. The learn module is run by the medical school and provides an opportunity for university level learning in both the classroom and the laboratory settings. 

For more information on Widening Participation in Medicine, please see the School of Medicine WP Strategy:

School of Medicine, Keele University Strategy for Widening Access to Medicine

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School of Medicine, Keele University Strategy for Widening Access to Medicine PDF download

Dr Paula Roberts & Dr Andy Spencer

Faculty Outreach Group

For more information please contact KeeleLink or one of our Faculty School and College Liaison Champions: 

School of Medicine:

Dr Gordon Dent

School of Nursing and Midwifery:

Dr Wynne Thomas

School of Pharmacy:

Dr Katie Maddock

School of Health and Rehabilitation: 

Jan Davison

Keele University's Faculty of Health offers a range of undergraduate courses in: