Greater Manchester Higher Hub-funded External Projects

Project Name / Rocket Cars / Organisation / Bloodhound
Theme / STEM / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9-11 / Places / 100
Description / • Up to 100 pupils working in teams of 2-3 to design, build and race model rocket cars at up to 50mph
• Learning about physics, maths, engineering and aerodynamics
• Microbits used to gather data
• Schools provided with data gathered to continue with further activity in the class room
• Winning team will have their team name added to the tail fin of BLOODHOUND SSC
BLOODHOUND SSC is moving into the test phase of the project and will be running low speed runs of 200mph at Newquay in October. This is an exciting time to get involved with the project as their will be free data gathered and accessible to all as the Car runs and follow-on activities in the classroom for you to get involved in.
Web link /
Project Name / K'nex Cars / Organisation / Bloodhound
Theme / STEM / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9-11 / Places / 120
Description / • Students design, build, test and race their model Air Rocket Car using K’nex.
• Learning about physics, maths, engineering and aerodynamics – linked to key stage.
• Measure and calculate average velocity force and acceleration
• Winning team has their team name added to the tail fin of BLOODHOUND SSC
• School provided with data gathered to allow for further activity in the class room
BLOODHOUND SSC is moving into the test phase of the project and will be running low speed runs of 200mph at Newquay in October. This is an exciting time to get involved with the project as their will be free data gathered and accessible to all as the Car runs and follow-on activities in the classroom for you to get involved in.
Web link /
Project Name / I'm a Scientist/Engineer / Organisation / Mangarolla
Theme / STEM / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9-13 / Places / Maximum 40 per class
Description / Engaging online STEM activity connecting students to scientists across the UK.
Students learn about a variety of STEM careers, how science lessons relate to real life and the different people working in science. An introduction in 60 seconds: imascientist.org.uk/video
Students:
- are more motivated to study STEM subjects
- see that scientists come from a diverse range of backgrounds
- have an increased understanding of STEM career options
- view STEM careers as possible future options
- gain knowledge to make informed choices about next steps
Delivered by teachers during class time, we provide all the resources and support to deliver three lessons:
1) You’re the judges: What makes a good scientist? How long have they been a scientist? Has their work been published? Are they saving lives?
Your students explore different criteria and decide what is important to them when voting.
2) Meet the Scientists: Get to know the scientists using profiles. Find out what they do, what they were like at school and how they got to where they are.
3) Live CHAT: Interact with the scientists in real-time.
Web link /
Project Name / Tomorrow’s Engineers / Organisation / Learn by Design
Theme / STEM / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9 / Places / 240 for show, 180 for workshops
Description / The programme is designed to inspire learners about STEM careers, and prepare them for making informed decisions when taking their GCSE subject options.
In-School Show – ‘Around the World’: Pupils are asked to join us on a journey around the world to find out what engineers do and how it affects all our lives! They discover how engineers help build the aircraft of the present (and future), supply us with clean water, keep us safe on the road and make sure our lights don't go out. The pupils see some of the challenges engineers’ face, the need to make things lighter and more efficient, how they are fighting climate change and how engineering companies are making a difference internationally.
In School Workshops: Pupils who have already experienced the in-school show rotate through a series of sessions, immersing themselves in the life of the engineer and in the potential careers and companies in which they could work.
Workshops include:
iEngineer: Highlighting the engineering key skills of teamwork and problem solving and using the highly engaging VEX robotics system, students are tasked with selecting the ultimate robot design to complete a series of tasks.
The Drawing Board: Focussing heavily on demand led innovation, “The Drawing Board” tasks students with solving an engineering problem.
Engineering X Factor: Shattering the myths that surround engineering, students are encouraged to challenge the typical stereotypes, whilst learning more about the subject as a career. Activities focus on the core skills required to be an engineer in the 21st century.
Web link /
Project Name / Careers in Health / Organisation / Medical Mavericks
Theme / STEM / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9-13 / Places / 30 – 40 students per session, repeated 5 – 6 times
Description / This session brings health careers to life!
The activities would include:
- Use the ultrasound machine to see inside their body (vascular science, medical imaging, medical engineering)
- See inside their eye with an iPhone retina scan (Ophthalmic Science, Medical Engineering)
- Record and print an ECG from their heart (Cardiac Physiology)
- Measure their lung volume with a spirometer (Respiratory Physiology)
- Try key hole surgery on a training device used by surgeons (Surgeon, Operating Department Practitioner)
- Use a real needle to take fake blood from an fake arm (Phlebotomy, Doctor, Nurse, Haematologist)
- Experience different eye diseases with the pathology goggles (Physiotherapist, Ophthalmic Scientist)
- Test hearing and reflexes (Audiologist, Neurophysiologist)
- Take basic medical observation such as blood pressure, oxygen sats and temp (Paramedic, Nurse, Doctor)
During the session, students can record their results and print their ECG on their sheet. They can talk to the Medical Mavericks team about their own experiences and routes into HE.
The session concludes with sign posting to useful resources and websites.
Web link /
Project Name / Company Programme / Organisation / Young Enterprise
Theme / Enterprise / Location / In school
Year Group / Y10/12 / Places / 15 learners per school
Description / Company Programme – Runs over academic year. Target Yr10 or Yr12. Set up and run their own company, choosing name, product/service, marketing, finances, and selling to the public via trade fairs and online. Covered by YE public liability insurance.
Each supported weekly by volunteer Business Adviser (from one of our partner employers, or business owner). Online resources for all involved. Teams encouraged to attend the various events over the year (workshops, trade fairs, etc).
• Students will have evidence of experience of undertaking roles, such as financial management, leading a team as managing director, etc. These skills will give them increased opportunity of succeeding through university application/interview against their peers who have not taken part in the programme.
• Students have more understanding of what career they wish to pursue, informing course choice when applying for university.
Web link /
Project Name / Learn to Earn / Organisation / Young Enterprise
Theme / Enterprise / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9 / Places / 150 pupils
Description / The programme provides information on career options helping students make informed choices and prepared for destinations, including an emphasis on remaining in education in order to reach their desired career goals. Activities help students to set goals and plan next steps to achieve success. Each student takes away all materials, including a Jobs Booklet. Supporting each delivery are volunteers from a number of employers including Barclays, HSBC, and GE Capital.
• Skill progression against the 8 CBI highlighted employability competencies required for HE/world of work.
• Increase in the number of young people considering HE as a real option
• Raised aspirations
• Greater understanding of earning potential when having a degree or equivalent.
Web link /
Project Name / Ryman National Enterprise Challenge / Organisation / Inspirational Learning Group
Theme / Enterprise / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9/10 / Places / whole year group
Description / The award winning Ryman National Enterprise Challenge is the UK’s largest Enterprise and Employability Competition. Since 2013, over 140,000 students have taken part in the real life business challenges set by the likes of Ryman, Alton Towers and Kingswood.
Our inclusive challenge, works with full year groups and sees the students split into mixed ability groups during the fast paced day. Developed using the Gatsby Recommendations the challenge see the students harness their soft skills including teamwork, communication and leadership over the course of the school day.
Each programme also includes a talk on Higher Apprenticeships linking the relevance of the skills they are developing as while as providing guidance on progression routes.
At the end of the day the students pitch their ideas before the winning team are announced. The winning team then go onto represent their school at our National Finals taking place each summer.
Web link /
Project Name / My Perfect University / Organisation / Inspirational Learning Group
Theme / Enterprise / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9/10 / Places / whole year group
Description / My Perfect University – My Perfect University has been written specifically for the NCOP programme and is ideally targeted at YR 9 and 10 students. Over the course of a full school day this fun and fast paced day will set the students the task to develop and pitch a brand new ‘Perfect University’ which will opening in 2018.
Working in teams of six the students will explore what they already know or think they know about University before creating their ‘perfect’ offer. The best eight teams will then pitch their ideas to the room at the end of the day for the chance to be crowned the best ‘Perfect University’.
Aims:
- Test and challenge awareness of HE through group interaction
- Challenge pre conceived opinions of HE
- Develop soft skills including teamwork, communication and presentation skills.
- Raise aspirations of learners by exploring elements of a university
Web link /
Project Name / Take to Law / Organisation / National Justice Museum
Theme / Law / Location / External
Year Group / Y9-11 / Places / 30 students per group, 2 groups per day
Description / Take to Law is a social mobility project which gives young people the opportunity to learn about the law, justice system & how to access careers within it. The project has a strong focus on developing skills, increasing knowledge and improving aspirations of young people to access Higher Education & pursue a legal career.
Pupils will participate in one days’ worth of activities which will include: an introduction to the law & legal careers; participation in a contemporary Learning Trial at Manchester Civil Justice Centre or Crown Court with support from law students & the opportunity to visit either a barristers’ chambers or a law firm where pupils will receive a talk from a legal professional & participate in a q&a session.
Aims:
• Raise aspirations of pursuing a legal career through accessing Higher Education
• Increase understanding & awareness of the law & justice system
• Empower pupils to become more active & responsible citizens, through an increased understanding of the justice system
Outcomes:
• Gain an understanding of how law is made, how it functions & how it affects people daily, as well as an understanding of the court systems in England & Wales
• Gain a practical insight into the different roles & careers available within the legal industry through interacting with legal professionals & participating in a Learning Trial
• Show a developing awareness of the paths into law through Higher Education as well as development of the skills needed to enter the legal profession
• Gain a deeper understanding of the justice system which will empower pupils to become more active & capable citizens
Web link /
Project Name / Engage and Inspire programme / Organisation / Commando Joe's
Theme / Personal development / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9-13 / Places / Whole school
Description / Since 2009, our Elite Commandos have supported and worked alongside more than 1,000 schools nationally, supporting schools regardless of catchment area or Ofsted rating. We’ve provided a bespoke programme linked to the school’s improvement plan, focusing on attainment, positive behaviour and attendance with independent proven results.
It’s about building relationships with pupils, parents and staff, understanding education and the pressure schools face. It’s about finding engaging ways to help children discover strength of character, positivity under pressure and resilience in the face of whatever life throws at them. Only the most inspiring, pro-active and committed people can become a Commando Joe or Jane, and as a result we have limited availability on our Instructor-Led programme until 2018.
But that doesn’t mean your pupils have to miss out. Every school is different, so we’ve designed our curriculum with flexibility in mind. The programme can be a toolkit to support and promote SMSC, British values, health and wellbeing, teamwork and leadership, PSHE and even holiday clubs. Sign up for our Essential or Team package and an Elite Commando will visit your school to train and support staff to effectively implement the programme to best suit your needs.
Our goal is to engage even the most reluctant learners, so all of our packages include a Top Secret box packed with cross-curricular resources, amazing video hooks for every module and innovate online tracker tools to help pupils mark and celebrate their achievements. Leaving no child left behind, we inspire pupils to rise to the challenge, strive for excellence and develop resilience, empathy and a passion for learning.
Web link /
Project Name / DebateMate / Organisation / DebateMate
Theme / Personal development / Location / In school (and external)
Year Group / Y9/10 / Places / 18-72 pupils
Description / Debate Mate is a social enterprise that delivers key employability skills to students in areas of high child poverty across the UK. The Debate Mate ‘Core Programme’ recruits, trains, and places top university students in schools to run a 17-week after-school debate club programme. We were established with the express aim of creating social mobility in the UK, an aim that we are realising and to which we remain firmly committed.
Our teaching methodology uses a series of debating activities and exercises as a means of delivering key transferable skills: critical and creative thinking, strategic teamwork, public speaking, active listening, and leadership. These skills are complemented by the development of crucial character attributes: core confidence, resilience, and empathy. Debating encourages students to generate new ideas, problem-solve, think quickly under pressure, and respond to challenges. Under the mentorship of inspirational university students our students develop an identity; both individually and collectively, that reinforces their self-belief and pushes them to reach their potential.
Alongside developing these soft skills, students that participate in the Debate Mate programme perform better in the classroom. Debating has a massive impact on Speaking and Listening skills, as students learn not only to articulate their ideas in a structured way but also to critically respond to other participants’ points through active listening and engagement. Good Speaking and Listening skills form the basis of all learning in literacy and are a key aspect of employability: securing a job, maintaining employment, and progressing at work.
Web link /
Project Name / INSPIRE – EQUIP – SUSTAIN / Organisation / MADE training
Theme / Personal development / Location / In school
Year Group / Y9-13 / Places / Up to 80 students per workshop
Description / Overview: Inspire your students to set goals, make plans and take action.
Equip them with learning, studying, reflection and revision skills.
Sustain the effect of the programme and encourage skill-mastery.
Aims:This skills-based training programme aims to help your students build their confidence, capability and resilience. This programme combines engaging, live workshops with follow-up video resources. The workshops share effective strategies for: goal-setting; reflection; studying; motivation; raising levels of ambition, self-belief and ultimately results across your student cohort. MADE is committed to helping you inspire your students to succeed, equip them with the skills to make rapid progress and give them the ongoing support to sustain them on their journey.
Full details of each workshop are available on our website:
Web link /

Project Name / Reaching Higher / Organisation / Positive Steps
Theme / Personal development / Location / In school
Year Group / Y10-13 / Places / 15 per cohort
Description / The aims of the programme are: To encourage students to consider HE as a realistic option; To help students to understand how their mind works and develop the skills needed to make rational decisions about their career pathway; To equip students with strategies and tools to help them deal with challenging situations; To help students to maximise their chances of achieving their goals.