Project gives South Yorkshire girls confidence in own ability to progress to higher education

The Higher Education Progression Partnership (HeppSY) launched the SHE Can programme after identifying a need for increased confidence and resilience among a cohort of girls who were 'sitting under the radar' within its partner schools and colleges in the region.

Following a successful first delivery in the 2018/19 academic year, in which 46 Year 9 and 10 girls from four schools were targeted, a second programme had been due to launch at the beginning of this year with a new cohort of eager participants.

Sadly, this had to be postponed due to the coronavirus situation but plans are now being made to re-introduce it from September.

Joanne Slater, Schools and Colleges Programme Manager in the Sheffield area, for HeppSY, said: “We had a similar programme called HE Can that had run previously for white disadvantaged males because they were seen as a cohort that desperately needed input as they weren’t getting very much progression from the schools we work with into HE.

"Nationally, it’s always been proven that that’s the case. We used to do a survey, one at the beginning of the year and one at the end, and when the survey reports came out for the individual schools it became apparent that, in some, there was actually a bigger need for the girls.

"For them, it was more specific, around confidence in their own academic ability to progress to HE whereas with the boys it was more about the knowledge of HE.”

The SHE Can programme aims to encourage young females to find their voice and raise their aspirations beyond where they first imagined and to reach that goal of higher education.

The criteria given to schools includes the 'academically able' and those 'lacking the self-confidence to progress'.

It is hoped the second delivery will officially launch in January during the 2020/21 academic year and will run for around six or eight weeks for girls in Year 10.

Some of the programmes will be digital-based and other parts will include interactive webinars given the current pandemic.

“We’ll be sticking around the arts, and trying to find your voice,” Ms Slater added.

"With it being the lack of confidence in their academic ability to progress, performing arts and subjects are perfect to help them try to find themselves, feel confident enough to push themselves forward, and stretch their boundaries.

"The big thing for SHE Can is about having that ability to stand up in front of your peers and having that ability to present and not feel shy about it.

"I used to teach before and you always have that girl or couple of girls in the class who will sit back and let others do the work, and it’s about that female empowerment and giving them confidence in their own ability.”

Joanne is reaching out to females in leadership roles across the region who would speak with students on the SHE Can programme.

To get involved email [email protected]

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