The Northamptonshire vision for the integrated Aimhigher is as follows:
- To widen participation in higher education by raising the aspirations and abilities of young people and adults under 30 from under-represented groups in schools, colleges and work based learning in Northamptonshire.
- To increase participation in higher education by raising attainment and increasing progression by young people and adults under 30 from school, college and work based learning in Northamptonshire.
- To achieve greater social inclusion in higher education by operating most intensively in disadvantaged areas, or areas where participation in higher education is not a tradition.
- To foster a coherent and strategic approach to widening participation in Northamptonshire, by ensuring synergy between local area, institutional and organisational plans and activities for widening participation, raising attainment and increasing progression.
The principles guiding the formulation and implementation of this strategic plan are:
- To use the most effective planned approaches to reach out to young people aged 13-19, and adults aged 19+ from groups that are under-represented in HE.
- To identify, recognise and foster potential in target groups wherever it is found.
- To ensure that opportunities to progress to higher education are open to all who have the potential to benefit from them, regardless of background.
- To give priority to developing and strengthening vocational pathways.
- To improve attainment in both academic and vocational qualifications.
- To ensure that progression routes to higher education via vocational courses are accessible from schools, colleges and work based learning.
- To support gifted and talented young people, including those who are vocationally gifted, by appropriate provision, specifically planned and delivered to match their needs.
- To facilitate collaboration between HE, FE, Northamptonshire Schools and training providers.
