Information for Teachers

 

STAR Programme Overview

  • The STAR programme currently enrols 100 students a year across a broad range of subjects from target schools in Devon & Cornwall.
  • STAR offers bright young people from non-privileged backgrounds a guaranteed pathway to a place at a research-led university.
  • The guarantee is realised if the student successfully completes the STAR programme and interview and meets the entry threshold for the programme they will be eligible to receive an alternative offer from the University of Exeter (which will be 2 A level grades (or equivalent) lower than the university’s standard offer).
  • It targets the top academic achievers in target schools who also meet criteria related to economic and social disadvantage.
  • The scheme picks up young people pre-GCSE and supports them over three years. It offers a combination of aspiration and achievement raising sessions, information and guidance, mentoring and support for teachers and parents.
  • The STAR programme is provided FREE.

STAR Alternative Offer

On successful completion of the programme, as well as receiving the alternative STAR offer (which will be 2 A level grades (or equivalent) lower than the university’s standard offer), students whose final grades meet or exceed the standard offer for their course and who are in receipt of University of Exeter financial support will receive an additional Partnership Scholarship of £1500.

Activity Programme

 Yr 11:

  • Session in school to learn more about the STAR programme
  • STAR Launch day at the University of Exeter campus – parents and teachers will be invited and students will enjoy a campus tour as well as hear about student life direct from our Student Ambassadors
  • Easter campus based event  
  • Year 11 tutoring programme

Yr 12:

  • Subject taster sessions to give students an idea of what it’s like to study the subject they are interested in.
  • Year 12 tutoring programme with one of our Student Ambassadors – including an introduction to the Skills4Uni website
  • Summer residential – 3 or 4 days of activity based on a University of Exeter campus with a focus on preparing students for progression to university and developing skills and knowledge that will be useful on the way and when they get there
  • Subject taster opportunities

Yr 13:

  • Tutoring will continue
  • Continued subject taster events
  • If students decide to apply to Exeter, an assessed interview based on a piece of work they have done for one of their courses

To participate in the STAR programme students must –

 

  • Be attending a school which is performing below the national average for 5 A*- C at GCSE (including English and Mathematics)
  • Be in the top 10% of their year academically (with a lower threshold of GCSE predicted grades of 46+ pts from top 8 GCSEs including Maths and English (A* = 8, A= 7, B = 6, C=5 etc). This equates to a minimum set of 2Cs and 6 at B or better)
  • Meet the targeting requirements of the University of Exeter Year 10 & 11 tutoring programme plus one of the following-
      • Live in a low participation neighborhood, defined by using home postcodes
      • Live in the bottom 40% of low income areas of the UK, also defined by using home postcodes

Contact


Melissa Ruddock, Outreach Officer, University of Exeter, Email:  m.s.ruddock@exeter.ac.uk Tel: 01392 726181