Aim Higher Activities and Achievements

Aim Higher visit to Liverpool University

Ex-Student Success

Any fans of ‘Ashes to Ashes’, broadcast on Monday evenings at nine o’clock, may want to pay particular attention to the end credits. One of our ex-students, Dean McLeod, studied Theatre Studies and Art at ‘A’ level, and then went to LIPA to study Set Design; now he is listed as ‘Assistant to the Art Department’ in the end credits of this very popular show. Our congratulations go to Dean for his achievement – and we look forward to seeing his name on many more programmes’ end credits.

UCAS Awareness Day

Aim Higher National Award Winner - Sixth Form/FE Aim Higher Learner Award

“Nimca’s dedication to seizing and utilising fully the opportunities afforded by Aim Higher have resulted in her massive achievements of successfully gaining educational qualifications after learning English within a short space of time. She is also a notable ambassador for the scheme within her own community and an impressive role model. She is a remarkable young woman and should go far.” (Judge’s comment.)

Nimca came to England in 2004 from Somalia, when she spoke only a few words of English. She initially moved around the country with her family until settling in Liverpool, and attended two schools before joining Childwall Sports College.

Originally Nimca didn’t think university was for her, but she had only just started at Childwall Sports College when she was asked to become a member of the Aim Higher Greater Merseyside Young Researchers Pilot Project. She has shown absolute dedication to this project for the past three years, ultimately becoming a Research Mentor. Activities included giving presentations at conferences and events, which has helped to build Nimca’s confidence, and taking part in a roundtable debate with then Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell.

Nimca stayed on at Childwall Sixth Form to take AS and A2 in Biology, Chemistry and Travel and Tourism. She has now completed her A Levels and has a conditional offer to read Pharmacy at The University of Reading. Nimca feels that her involvement with Aim Higher Greater Merseyside and the Young Researchers Group has been a major part of her achievements to date. She feels her role in the group has given her the confidence she needs to move away from home and contribute fully to student life.

Jo McNeill of Aim Higher Greater Merseyside comments: “I feel Nimca fully deserves this award for maintaining such a high level of commitment to this project for three years. I wish her every success in the future.”

Aim Higher – Research Mentors

Nimca came to England in 2004 from Somalia, when she spoke only a few words of English.

Along with her family, she settled in Liverpool, joining Childwall Sports College. Originally Nimca didn’t think university was for her, but she was asked to join a research project run by Aim Higher Greater Merseyside and this opened her eyes to the possibility. Through her dedication she became a Research Mentor, giving presentations at conferences, and taking part in a roundtable debate with then Higher Education Minister, Bill Rammell. Nimca stayed on at Childwall Sixth Form to take AS and A2 in Biology, Chemistry and Travel and Tourism. She has now completed her A Levels and has started reading Pharmacy at The University of Reading.

This article appears in the following document. Quality, Choice and Aspiration - A strategy for young people’s information, advice and guidance (DCSF).