Students embark on the pathway to healthcare
Fifteen students at Solihull Sixth Form college have been accepted onto Aston University's Pathways to Healthcare Programme this year and are looking forward to an exciting year of events.
The Pathway to Healthcare Programme at Aston University has been designed to help students develop knowledge and skills and give them an insight into university life. There is a particular emphasis on courses such as Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, Audiology, Psychology and the Allied Professions. The 18-month programme will help students make informed choices about their university courses and future career paths.
The programme's sixth cohort launched during half-term and a full programme of events is planned, starting with a Pharmacy Taster Day on 3 November. Academic Tutoring, which will take place on a monthly basis, will launch at the end of November, before Medicine taster days in December and January. When students get into the Spring, they will be able to benefit from a Year 12 Revision boot Camp and get an insight into work experience opportunities. Once the students move into Year 13, interview preparation days will be available, as well as mentoring.
Curriculum leader for Natural Sciences, Joseph Wright, commented: "15 students accepted onto this brilliant programme, the most students we have ever had and we are delighted for these students. There is a lot of fantastic potential in these students, which I hope the programme will help them to realise. Together with the students who are part of the College's Pre-Medical School enrichment, we will be working hard to support these students to ensure they get the most out of this fantastic opportunity."
The College's own Pre-Medical School is an enrichment activity designed to support students who have serious and realistic aspirations to study Medicine at university. Through a series of lectures, visits and practical activities, students strengthen their understanding of the medical profession and develop a greater appreciation of the essential skills and relevant experience required for a successful university application.
Activities include university masterclasses, visiting speakers, attendance at university lectures and problem-based learning activities. The universities involved have previously included Aston, Birmingham, Keele, Leicester and Liverpool. Students are encouraged to take an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in a relevant medically-related field as part of this enrichment, which involves personal research and is graded like half an A level.
Pictured: Rawda Ismail and Shobnom Khanum