More than 120 local school pupils take part in LJMU Summer University

14 to 17-year-olds experience university life

Over the past month, more than 120 14 to 17-year-olds from across the UK have taken part in LJMU summer schools to inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds to consider higher education.

Two different summer school experiences were arranged for school pupils including:

Year 10 residential for care experienced pupils

20 young people from nine schools across Merseyside took part in the annual Year 10 Residential, targeted specifically at those in local authority or residential care

The residential saw 14-15 year old pupils spend two days and one night on campus staying at one of LJMU approved student accommodation sites. The annual event aims to give participants a real insight into student life, introducing them to the concept of Higher Education, all while helping them see the inclusive nature that LJMU maintains.

Pupils also heard from a current LJMU care leaver, speaking of her time in care and the dedicated package of support LJMU offers now as a student.

Year 12 three-day residential visit

Nearly 100 Year 12 students, including 48 from Northern Ireland and the rest from England and Wales, participated in a three-day residential visit to LJMU. The programme focused on students interested in Media and Engineering, offering them a taste of university life. Students stayed in student accommodation, lived in flats, attended academic lectures, and enjoyed evening entertainment in the Liverpool city centre. They also had the opportunity to visit various LJMU facilities, providing a thorough experience of university life.

One year 12 student who took part in the summer residential said: “the most valuable aspect of the programme for me was being able to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.”

PVC Student Experience Professor Phil Vickerman also delivered a session with the summer schools sharing his own experience of university. 

One parent of a year 12 student said: “This is the first time my daughter travelled away from home and got on a plane. She was feeling very anxious about going to Liverpool. I don't know what you did, but my daughter came back a different person, the first time in her life she feels confident and very certain about going to University.”

Outreach and further support at LJMU

The summer schools are part of LJMU Outreach programme to inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds across the UK to consider Higher Education.

Over the past academic year LJMU has conducted over 800 school/college sessions on campus and in schools/colleges, reaching over 43,000 pupils to date. 

Find out more information about the widening access work at LJMU.

Find out more information on the support available for care leavers at LJMU.