Photo: Julian Brazier MP talking with students
October 2009
Conservative MP for Canterbury and Whitstable and Shadow Transport Minister, Julian Brazier, visited students and staff from the Aimhigher Kent and Medway Partnership (AHKM) recently. College and school students quizzed Mr Brazier on his views about the importance of further and higher education and Mr Brazier had the opportunity to learn more about the work of the Aimhigher Partnership. The visit was hosted by Canterbury College, which is an AHKM partner institution.
Mr Brazier was met by the AHKM Partnership Director, Dr Felicity Dunworth, who explained that the Partnership’s purpose is to raise the aspirations of young people who have the ability to achieve much at university but who had not previously considered themselves as potential university students.
Mr Brazier spoke to students from The Malling School with an interest in studying science and maths and young people from Canterbury College whose interests were in the transport industries. He also met AHKM ambassadors, Associates and School Learning Mentors and staff from Canterbury College, including Lut Stewart, Director of Student Support Services. The visit was recorded by a reporter and photographers from Zoom, a newsletter produced termly by students from AHKM partner Schools, colleges and universities working together.
Mr Brazier expressed his hope that many more young people would be able to study to degree level at an institution close to their home. He believed that this would make it easier for young people who have no family background of going to university to make the transition to higher level study and that it might also make such study more affordable to clever young people who wished to continue learning, whatever their background. Mr Brazier made clear his enthusiasm for mathematics and was delighted to be meeting with young people who shared that passion. He agreed with the students that while mathematics is important to every young person joining the working world, it is also a subject that is creative and exciting.
Students and Aimhigher staff told Mr Brazier of the success of Aimhigher in Kent and Medway in widening the range of young people continuing in education beyond 16. Students explained how important it was to explain to young people that university isn’t just ‘for posh people’. Mr Brazier agreed absolutely. University study, he said, was for clever and motivated young people, whatever their background and circumstance.
Sophie and Jamie, who are currently at The Malling School, said, "he really knew his stuff and listened to us." Jamie said, "Mr Brazier has a maths degree, and as maths is one of my favourite subjects, he recommended some websites for me to look at."
Notes to Editors
Aimhigher is a national, government funded project to encourage and assist more people to enter higher education at college or university. Aimhigher Kent and Medway work on a regional level as a partnership with local universities, further education colleges and schools to help achieve this.
Aimhigher Kent and Medway work with local students in a variety of ways; by arranging visits to local universities and colleges, through using current university students to act as mentors and ambassadors, by going into schools to speak with students and by working with parents to ensure they are actively involved in the process of higher education. Aimhigher Kent and Medway also work with local practitioners and employers to ensure that all relevant parties have an input into the promotion and development of higher education locally.
Aimhigher Kent and Medway are based at Canterbury Christ Church University. Our partners include Canterbury Christ Church University; the University of Greenwich; the University for the Creative Arts; the University of Kent; the Open University; Canterbury College; Hadlow College; Mid Kent College; North West Kent College; South Kent College; Thanet College and West Kent College.
This press release is available on www.aimhigherkentandmedway.org.
Useful Contacts
Linda Bishopp
Communications Manager
Aimhigher Kent and Medway Partnership
Telephone: 01227 782566 Mobile: 07843 343374
E-mail: linda.bishopp@canterbury.ac.uk
Further Information
National Aimhigher Website: www.aimhigher.ac.uk
Aimhigher Kent and Medway Website: www.aimhigherkentandmedway.org
