Supporting your learners to access higher education.
We know your role is crucial in supporting your learners, and we have the tools to help.
We know your role is crucial in supporting your learners, and we have the tools to help.
Core Programme
Our core programme consists of a range of workshops and campus visits. From uncovering HE and providing an insight into student life, to exam success and subject masterclasses, we know how to inform and inspire your learners.
Attainment Raising
We’re now working with schools and colleges to help raise the attainment of learners across our region. From mentoring and tutoring, to summer schools and innovative projects, we know how to boost the confidence, resilience and self-efficacy of your learners.
Under-represented groups
Being care experienced, having a disability, or being a young carer often means learners face additional barriers when it comes to realising their education and career ambitions. Our tailored provision helps to level the playing field for these young people.
Our evidence-based and carefully designed activities are mapped to Gatsby Benchmarks and meet a range of learning outcomes, helping your school deliver its careers strategy whilst educating and motivating your learners.
Our Evaluation Framework follows a set of key principles to respond to the needs of your learners at each step in their education journey:
Together we can support your learners achieve their future goals and potential.
Outreach Programme Guide
Take a look at our Outreach Programme for more information about our core offering.
All eligible schools and colleges will be supported by a Hub Manager who will follow a structured needs analysis and planning process. Through this process, you’ll be supported to access relevant GM Higher activities for your learners, as well as signposted to events and activities delivered by our partner institutions.
If you require additional support or have questions about any of our activities please contact your Hub Manager.
Our outreach programme of in-school/college presentations and workshops is for Year 9-13 learners. We also offer a programme of activities and events that are available for Year 9-13 learners from under-represented learner groups, such as those who are first in their family to progress to higher education, are in receipt of free school meals, who have been in local authority care, who have a disability, learning difficulty or have caring responsibilities.
For more information and to find out what events are available for your learners, please see our events page.
You can discuss appropriate activities for your learners with your Hub Manager, and they’ll let you know what we need to deliver the activity. For in-school activities you’ll want to consider things like finding a suitable space and ensuring a member of staff can be present throughout. For on-campus activities we may need additional information such as dietary requirements – Hub Managers can support with travel arrangements. We also require activity registers and evaluations to be completed for all events. Activity registers should be sent to us prior to the event taking place.
We deliver the Office for Students funded Uni Connect programme in Greater Manchester. There is no charge to schools, colleges or learners to engage in our core programme. We do seek matched funding for some of our Attainment Raising activities.
As a Government-funded initiative we are expected to evaluate and evidence the impact of our work. To do this we need to collect data on all students who take part in our activities. We obtain or receive learner data from the following sources:
For further information, please see our Data Collection and GDPR Privacy notice.
If you require additional support or have questions about any of our activities please contact your Hub Manager.
We offer a range of staff CPD, empowering you to support your learners by providing all you need to know about higher education and the varied pathways available.
Our workshops for supporters uncover the barriers young people from under-represented groups face.
We have a CPD programme coming soon – building on our current offer by introducing opportunities to boost your teaching and classroom skills. Watch this space.
Closing the Gap: Tackling differential outcomes for school-age learners
Join us for a dynamic and thought-provoking conference designed for school leaders, senior educators, and professionals across the education and youth sectors. Through expert keynote talks, workshop sessions, and panels, we’ll delve into the factors shaping educational inequality and share practical strategies to strengthen inclusive practice. Grounded in the ethos of widening participation, this conference will explore how a more equitable educational landscape can help address persistent disparities – supporting disadvantaged learners to progress into higher education and achieve meaningful outcomes in both education and employment. This will be explored through a wide range of topics including: Educational disparities for Free School Meal boys. Differential outcomes for specific and under-represented learner groups. HE pathways, Gatsby benchmarks and the curriculum. Subject-specific initiatives. Learner-centred engagement and teaching strategies. Evaluating and demonstrating impact for continuous improvement. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding, refine your practice, or connect with others driving change, this conference offers a unique opportunity to learn, reflect, and lead together. Call for contributions We’re inviting contributions from colleagues working to reduce educational inequalities and improve outcomes for under-represented learners. We’re keen to showcase a wide range of perspectives, approaches, and examples of practice, and welcome proposals that: Share innovative projects or interventions taking place in schools, colleges or community settings. Highlight research that offers fresh insights into the barriers and enablers of equitable educational outcomes. Provide case studies or reflective accounts of partnership working across the education and youth sectors. Offer practical tools, resources, or strategies that can be adopted by others. Contributions may take the form of workshops (1 hour) or spotlight sessions (20 mins). How to apply: If you would like to be considered, please submit a brief proposal (up to 300 words) by completing this form, outlining your contribution, its relevance to the conference theme, and the intended outcomes for participants. Deadline for submissions: Friday 24th October 2025.
Staff Training & Development (Arden University)
We offer tailored support and training to school, college and community staff. Please enquire with your training topics so we can best discuss your requirements. In addition, we encourage school and college staff to consider studying the Postgraduate Certificate in Neurodiversity. Limited, fully funded places available for select schools via the Arden Aspire network. Find out more here.
Uncovered CPD – Looked After Children / Care leavers
This 30-minute session is suitable for foster carers, social workers and other key influencers of care experienced young people. It gives an overview of higher education, including financial and pastoral support, and tips on supporting young people making decisions. We are happy to deliver this session as part of any training or information events that may be happening locally.
Want to find out more about Greater Manchester Higher and the support we offer?
