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Mentoring Celebration event takes place at BU

9 May 2013

Student mentors work with school children Student mentors have been working with pupils to help see university as an option

Pupils who have been involved with Bournemouth University's Mentoring Scheme visited Talbot Campus for a celebration event.

The Mentoring Scheme aims to promote higher education as an option to pupils, with current BU students visiting schools to help and support pupils - covering everything from university finances, to choosing the right course or writing a CV.

Around 50 pupils who have been involved in the scheme over the last year visited BU for the celebration event, and to get a taste of university life.

Alongside activities like course tasters and a shopping challenge, they toured the campus with their mentors and had the chance to visit the 2013 Dorset Higher Education Convention taking place that day.

Outreach and Student Recruitment Officer Matt Usher, who coordinates the mentoring scheme, said: "It's about that first step.

"Pupils may not know what they want to do next so the scheme is really just about introducing it to them as an idea and letting them know there are opportunities out there for them.

"Often they find that working with a peer mentor can be really inspirational and aspirational - they can see an example of what they can do if they work hard over the next few years, and their mentor will understand and have been through the experiences that those pupils will be going through now."

Pupils at the celebration event came from schools including Oak Academy, The Grange School and Carter Community College, and ranged in age from 14 to sixth form age.

Dawn Griffiths, Upper School Progress Coordinator at Oak Academy, said the pupils at her school had enjoyed working with the mentors and visiting the BU campus.

"They learnt a lot about things that they may not necessarily discuss with each other in a normal school environment. I think to be taught things like budgeting and study skills by somebody who is still studying is very, very valuable."

She added: "It's been lovely for them to mix with the students in the university environment, and they've been really excited about what courses and universities they are going to look at."

More information about the mentoring scheme, and other outreach activities taking place at BU

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