私房俱乐部

Widening Access and Participation

Committed to helping develop and support raising aspirations and attainment

We know education has the power to transform lives and that’s why 私房俱乐部’s Widening Access Team are committed to helping develop and support raising aspirations and attainment – to ensure all learners have the opportunity to go on to higher education, whatever their background.

With more than 100 primary and secondary schools working with 私房俱乐部 in and around Leicester, and the number steadily increasing, the team are keen to continue to offer more opportunities and to support you in meeting all of your widening and participation needs.

The Gatsby Benchmarks provide a framework for delivering high-quality careers guidance, ensuring students receive the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed for future success. At 私房俱乐部, we are committed to supporting schools in achieving these benchmarks through stand-alone activities or longer-term projects, to support a variety of learners up to 16-years-old.

We prioritise students from widening participation backgrounds

  • Students who live within the 40% most deprived wards based on IMD postcode data

  • Pupil Premium students, students in receipt of free school meals (FSM)

  • Some ethnic sub-groups, including young people from Black and Asian communities, and White males from economically disadvantaged backgrounds

  • Young people in local authority care (LAC) or care experienced students

  • Those from low participation rate areas, based on POLAR4 quintile 1 and 2 postcode data

  • Those from low participation rate areas, based on IMD19 quintile 1 and 2 postcode data

To learn more about 私房俱乐部’s widening participation goals, you can read our Access and Participation Plan.

 

We broke a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD!

What's on

私房俱乐部 Aspire - APPLY NOW

22-26 June

私房俱乐部 Aspire - APPLY NOW

The 私房俱乐部 Aspire Progression Programme has been designed for Year 12 (or equivalent) students to help build your confidence and ambition and to give you a full flavour of studying at university. The five day, non-residential programme will prepare you for university and teach you key skills including referencing, academic writing and how to meet new people. Not forgetting you’ll have fun too, and get to mix with real university students!

私房俱乐部 Inspire

Multiple dates

私房俱乐部 Inspire

These experiences run throughout the year and have been designed for year 10 and year 11 learners. Your learners will join academics and experts in these specialist areas to develop skills that will help with future education progression and with college/sixth form and university personal statements.

私房俱乐部niverse

Play now

私房俱乐部niverse

私房俱乐部niverse is an interactive digital game that allows learners to get an understanding of what university life is like. Learners will be able to familiarise themselves with the 私房俱乐部 campus, all whilst exploring topics like student finance, university support, and study options which are all woven throughout the game.

Build your own Experience Day

Choose your date

Build your own Experience Day

Craft the perfect day for your students to learn about university and take part in some hands-on activities to develop their skills. We have a range to choose from to create a bespoke experience just for you!

What we offer

All activities are designed to enhance learning, skills and higher education awareness, to enable learners in making well-informed decisions and choices about their future. These are delivered either in school, or at 私房俱乐部鈥檚 award winning, Leicester campus.

Please note: all of our On Campus Experience Days include a tour of the 私房俱乐部 campus.

Select a year to group to get started, or create your own bespoke event by building your own Experience Day.

Campus Life

Year 10 On campus

During this full day on campus, students will get a taste of what it’s like to be at university by taking part in an undergraduate subject taster session. Later, the focus switches to the extra-curricular side of university life, with an introduction to university clubs and societies.

Looking for a taster of a specific subject? Let us know!

Learning outcomes

  • Recognise what options are available after finishing school or college and what’s required to get there.
  • Identify what else university can offer, aside from study.
  • Ability to demonstrate key skills needed for university and school life.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

Career Crusade: Your Mission, Your Future

Year 5, Year 6 On campus/In school

Previously known as Character Education, our Career Crusade activity helps pupils explore the world of work through the theme of superheroes. Pupils will look at different character traits people need in their jobs and think about positive attributes that will help them in school and beyond.

The activity can be done in school over the period of one lesson or during a half day on campus.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify what a university is and what happens there.
  • Recognise positive character traits, skills and qualities and assess where they will be needed at secondary school and beyond.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmark 7.
Book

Debunking Student Finance

Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 In school

This short presentation gives students the facts about the costs of higher education, debunking myths about student loans and repayments. It can be done as a large group assembly or in a classroom setting.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify how students fund going to university.
  • Debunk the common myths about finance at university.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 2 and 7.
Book

私房俱乐部 Aspire (22nd June 2026)

Year 12 On campus

私房俱乐部 Aspire is a 5-day, non-residential summer school that gives Year 12 students a complete university experience in a week of engaging activities. Students sign up as individuals and upon successful completion of 私房俱乐部 Aspire, they will be eligible for a reduction of (an equivalent to) 16 UCAS points towards an undergraduate degree at 私房俱乐部.

Learning outcomes

  • An increased ability to see themselves belonging to an HE community.
  • Increased knowledge of course choice available at HE.
  • Increased knowledge of academic life at HE.
  • Increased confidence to successfully apply to HE.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 3, 7 and 8.
Book 私房俱乐部 Aspire

私房俱乐部 Detectives

Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 In school

A fun and practical in-school (or after-school) skills session that encourages learners to solve mysteries and explore skills such as problem solving, memory, communication and team-work.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate confidence in a variety of skills needed for university and school life.
  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

私房俱乐部 Inspire

Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 On campus

This day at university involves students taking part in subject specific sessions led by academics and experts in these areas. Students will develop skills that will help them in their future education and with their college/sixth form and university personal statements.

Learning outcomes

  • An increased ability to see themselves belonging to an HE community.
  • Increased knowledge of course choice available at HE.
  • Increased knowledge of academic life at HE.
  • Increased capacity to make informed decisions about their future.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5, 7 and 8.
Book 私房俱乐部 Inspire session

私房俱乐部's Den

Year 9, Year 10 In school

An innovative in-school (or after-school) skills session for learners to explore subjects related to Business. This activity will help learners to use communication skills, team-work skills, creativity and many more.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate confidence in a variety of skills needed for university and school life.
  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

私房俱乐部niverse Workshop

Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 On campus/In school

The 私房俱乐部niverse workshop allows learners to develop an understanding of what university life is like by playing an interactive digital game. Learners will be able to familiarise themselves with the 私房俱乐部 campus, all whilst exploring topics like student finance, university support, and study options which are all woven throughout the game.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • Explore the different types of subjects and support available at university.
  • Identify what else university can offer, aside from study.
  • Increased knowledge of academic life at HE.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmark 7.
Book

Higher Education Assembly

Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 In school

This assembly covers the basics of what students can do after finishing school/college and what they can expect from university. It can be done as a large group assembly or in a classroom setting.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • Recognise what options are available after finishing school or college and what’s required to get there.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 4 and 7.
Book

I Disagree

Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 In school

This challenging in-school (or after-school) classroom debate activity will enhance students’ communication and critical thinking skills, as well as their ability to work in a team. There are a range of topics to choose from for the activity too.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate confidence in a variety of skills needed for university and school life.
  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

Life Skills

Year 8 On campus

This full day on campus includes practical, interactive activities designed to give students a hands-on experience of essential life skills that students need during their time at university, including team work, presentation and money management skills.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • Recognise that university is affordable for everyone.
  • Ability to demonstrate key skills needed for university and school life.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5 and 7.
Book

Myth-Busting

Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 On campus/In school

This activity debunks the myths that students may believe about higher education and highlights the many benefits of university study. Later, students will get a taste of what it’s like to be at university by taking part in an undergraduate subject taster session.

It can be done in school over the period of one lesson or during a full day on campus.

Learning outcomes

  • Recognise what options are available after finishing school or college and what’s required to get there.
  • Identify different career options after finishing university.
  • Debunk common myths about going to university.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

Problem Solving

Year 7 On campus

This hands-on activity is aimed at developing student’s team work, communication and problem solving abilities.

The activity can be done during a half day on campus.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • Ability to demonstrate key skills needed for university and school life.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

Revision and Study Skills Workshop

Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 On campus/In school

This interactive activity provides students with the knowledge and confidence to make actionable revision and study plans.

It can be done in school over the period of one lesson or during a full day on campus.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify various study techniques.
  • Demonstrate greater confidence in revision.
  • Begin to plan a revision timetable and routine.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

Study Skills Assembly

Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 In school

This assembly gives students tips for revision, including how to revise effectively and how to create a revision timetable. It can be done as a large group assembly or in a classroom setting.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify various study techniques.
  • Demonstrate greater confidence in revision.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4 and 7.
Book

Visual CV

Year 9 On campus/In school

This series of interactive activities based on values, beliefs, team working skills and goal setting encourages students to examine their personal skills and natural abilities, and consider future ambitions. It’s also a great activity to help students decide their GCSE options.

The activity can be done in school over the period of two lessons or during a full day on campus.

Learning outcomes

  • Recognise what options are available after finishing school or college.
  • Identify skills and qualities and determine what courses and careers require them.
  • Ability to make informed decisions about their future.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5, 7 and 8.
Book

You at 私房俱乐部

Year 6 On campus

This interactive activity introduces university to year 6 pupils in a fun and exciting way, getting them to picture themselves at university in the future.

The activity can be done during a half day on campus.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify what a university is, what happens there and who goes to university.
  • Recognise what a student may look like and the different things students do.
  • This activity meets Gatsby Benchmark 7.
Book

What we've been up to

Testing Blood in the Forensics Lab

27 March 2026

Learners from Homefield College visited 私房俱乐部 to learn about all the different kinds of support that is available at university. Then, in the afternoon, the learners visited our forensic science labs to take part in some fun activities where they tested fingerprints, blood and saliva to find the culprit of a crime.

Inspired to Study Shakespeare

26 March 2026

Lutterworth High School learners took part in our 私房俱乐部 Inspire Shakespeare day, where they discussed Shakespeare's life and work. Learners used their analytical skills to great effect, gearing them up for their GCSEs.

Inspired to Design Shoes

26 March 2026

Learners from Year 9 and 10 visited 私房俱乐部 to take part in our 私房俱乐部 Inspire Footwear Design day. They looked at the process of shoe creation, from drawing their designs to creating models on lasts and out of paper.

What is Health?

24 March 2026

Year 10 learners from The City of Leicester College visited 私房俱乐部 to take part in a Health and Wellbeing in Society taster lecture, giving them an insight into one of many subjects available to them after studying Health and Social Care at school and college.

Fighting Infections in School

18 March 2026

私房俱乐部's Microbiology team visited Limehurst Academy to show learners how we fight against viruses in their interactive Escape Lab. Learners tested compounds, shot viruses with nerf guns, and built their compound using Molymod.

Inspired to Dance

13 March 2026

Year 9 and 10 learners from Rawlins and Thomas Estley Community College danced the morning away by taking part in workshops led by our wonderful Dance academics. This was followed by a performance from the third year dance company which learners found to be "insightful" and "phenomenal".

Women in STEM: What it's Really Like

12 March 2026

One of our amazing student ambassadors, Aneta, spoke to learners from Iveshead School about what it's really like studying a STEM subject at university. Aneta spoke about her experience starting a PhD, travelling abroad on 私房俱乐部 Global trips, and vast amount of career opportunities available from studying a STEM subject.

Exploring the Extra Curricular Side of University

12 February 2026

Year 7 learners from Crown Hills Community College visited 私房俱乐部 to find out about what university can offer. Learning about the range of subjects and developing their transferable problem solving and team work skills wasn't enough though. Learners took part in activities with our 私房俱乐部 Sports team, and student activators showcased the range of fun opportunities available for all students when they study at 私房俱乐部, like glow in the dark badminton!

Inspired to find Sustainable Power

06 February 2026

Moat Community College visited campus for our 私房俱乐部 Inspire: Power in Action day. Learners explored our Energy Engineering course and discovered how we can be sustainable when looking at power, through solar panels and electricity generators.

Inspired to Solve Crimes

05 February 2026

Our CSI Leicester 私房俱乐部 Inspire day returned this year, giving Year 9 and 10 students from The City of Leicester College and Beaumont Leys School the opportunity to explore the careers of forensic scientists. Starting the day, learners looked for clues and collected evidence in a mock crime scene, before moving onto testing their findings in a lab. Once their conclusion was made, the students moved over to the court rooms to place the suspect on trial.

Testing for Infection as a Medical Scientist

04 February 2026

Year 9 students from Avanti Fields School visited 私房俱乐部 to experience what it's like to study at university as a Medical Science student. As a team, they worked through a methodical process of diagnosing an example patient and discovered what was troubling them - just like how our university students would, allowing them to gain the skills they need for their careers.

Inside the Lab: Technician Edition

03 February 2026

As part of the Science stream of our Technician's Experience Day, learners from Thomas Estley Community College and Gateway College took part in a range of activities supported by our wonderful Health & Life Sciences technicians. This involved creating bath bombs in the pharmacy labs, exploring how bacteria spreads with our microbiology technicians, experiencing how colourful chemistry can be, and discovering how forensic and paramedic science students are taught at university.

The Technicians behind Creativity

03 February 2026

During our Technician's Experience Day, learners from Ash Green School, Cedars Academy and Gateway College got a glimpse into the careers of our creative technicians. From printmaking and music technology to digital fabrication and mixed media, they developed an array of technical skills and gained an insight into the technical support they'll receive at university while studying a creative subject.

Engineering Technicians in Action

03 February 2026

Our Technician's Experience Day brought together learners from Moat Community College, Hastings High School and Cedars Academy to venture behind the scenes of our engineering courses, and discover all that our technicians support with. Taking a look at planes in our aeronautical engineering labs, creating race cars with our technicians that support the Formula Student team and building circuits in our electronics labs were just some of activities the learners got up to during the day.

Working as a Digital Technician

03 February 2026

Gartree High School, Gateway College and Cedars Academy explored the digital and tech labs at 私房俱乐部 during our Technician's Experience Day. From lighting, camera and audio operation for TV, film and live performances to diving deep inside a computer, learners were able to explore how technology is used beyond the places they'd initially expect.

Ergonomic Designers

21 January 2026

Students from Lancaster Academy tried their hand and designing ergonomic computer mouses with our Product Design team. They explored how valuable all ideas and designs are through looking at the pros and cons of everyone's designs.

Sharing Art with Year 6

14 January 2026

We brought some our students from the faculty of Technology, Arts and Culture to Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy, where they showcased all the amazing work they do at University, giving learners and insight into where their creativity could take them.

Motion Capture Madness

16 December 2025

Year 8 and 9 students from Castle Mead Academy explored different media studios in the Queen's Building, including the TV Studio, Audio Recording Suites, Motion Capture and Virtual Production studios. They all got a glimpse of the industry-standard facilities our students use on a daily basis.

Inspired Inside a Hospital

12 December 2025

For our 私房俱乐部 Inspire: Inside a Hospital day, students explored the world of Medical Science, the different roles and careers in the healthcare industry and got involved in some fun experiments in the labs too.

Inspired by the Law

10 December 2025

For our Law 私房俱乐部 Inspire day, students got an insight to how Law is taught at university and how it impacts our everyday lives. From consumer rights to reporting crimes, the Year 9s and 10s learnt from our Law lecturers and current Street Law students.

Workshop Wizards!

09 December 2025

Our wonderful technicians taught students from Keyham Lodge School how to make a model brick wall using hot wire cutting. The students loved using the design workshops and learnt about all the different art and design subjects that use these facilities.

Inspired to Write Creatively

01 December 2025

Year 9 and 10 students visited 私房俱乐部 to take an in depth look at Creative Writing during our 私房俱乐部 Inspire day. Students discovered new ways to generate ideas through free writing and explored using their senses to enhance their creativity.

Young Minds Learn about Digital Forensics

26 November 2025

A group of Year 9 girls from Lutterworth High School visited to get an insight into different Computer Science related subjects at university - When exploring Cyber Security, the students used an image of a phone to find out key details that could help in court setting.

Discovering University at the Futures Fair

25 November 2025

Over 150 students from 7 Leicestershire schools visited the 私房俱乐部 Futures Fair - an interactive marketplace where students could explore different university subjects and the core aspects of university life. From careers and sports to global trips, students learnt all about what university study can offer.

A Cursor-y Look into Product Design 🐁🖱锔�

05 November 2025

Year 10 students from Lancaster Academy visited campus to get a taste of two creative subjects: Product Design, where they designed ergonomic computer mouses, and Arts and Festivals Management, where they created and pitched an idea for their own festivals. Students showed off their creativity, team work and presentation skills, all while thinking about what subjects they might want to study in the future.

Careers, Careers, Careers!

15 October 2025

The team have been across Leicester and Leicestershire schools (and beyond!) over the last few weeks supporting careers fairs and post-16 options evenings. We've had some brilliant conversations with students thinking about their futures and supporting students who were unsure about what they want to do after leaving school.

Busting Myths with Market Bosworth

10 October 2025

We worked with Year 10 students from The Market Bosworth School to bust all the myths they thought about university and higher education.

Weaving up a Storm

04 September 2025

Starting off the new term with a bang! We had Year 11 students from Brockington College visit us to take part in a textiles workshop where they created some colourful patterns by weaving with paper.

A Creative take on Sustainability

07 July 2025

Students from Brook Mead Academy visited the SDG Impact Hub on campus to explore sustainability in a fun and creative way. They discovered upcycling by creating wallets out of Tetra Pak cartons, designed their own sustainable schools out of Lego and explored what sustainability meant to them through designing posters and sharing their views and opinions.

Petri Dish Detectives

01 July 2025

Year 6 students from Hazel Community Primary School got to be scientists when they visited the 私房俱乐部 campus, thinking about all the big science questions, looking around a variety of lab spaces and even doing their own experiments exploring microbes on agar jelly.

Celebrating a Week of Hard Work

27 June 2025

Our 2025 私房俱乐部 Aspire programme was brought to a conclusion with a celebration event to congratulate the learners on their hard work, creativity and resilience throughout the week, with awards, photos, games and lots of food too. A huge well done to all the Year 12 learners that took part!

How to Sandwich like a Pro

26 June 2025

Day 4 of 私房俱乐部 Aspire involved taking the learners research and ideas for the ‘World’s Greatest Sandwich’ and getting them produced by our amazing catering team. Learners critically analysed their sandwiches and even got to taste them all too!

Drawing upon Research

25 June 2025

Our 私房俱乐部 Aspire learners worked on their academic posters for the creation of the ‘World’s Greatest Sandwich’, using research to justify their decision-making. They also got the opportunity to develop their visual communication skills with the team at the Drawing Centre.

Discovering Graduate work at the Degree Show

25 June 2025

Over 200 learners from multiple schools visited the 私房俱乐部 campus to tour our graduate Degree Show. Learners were inspired by the student work on display and got to see how they could explore their creativity in the future.

From Books to Breakthroughs

24 June 2025

Day 2 of the 私房俱乐部 Aspire programme gave learners a taste of research and studying at university. Our Library and Learning Services team provided learners with actionable steps for thinking about research and the creation of their own academic posters for the ‘World’s Greatest Sandwich’.

Kicking off 私房俱乐部 Aspire 2025

23 June 2025

Our annual 私房俱乐部 Aspire Progression Programme for Year 12 students from across the region was launched with an eventful first day: setting the scene of the exciting project, developing team work skills and exploring university life through extra-curricular activities.

Evolve Celebration

02 June 2025

This year we've been working with Pathways and Lancaster Academy to deliver a fun and exciting project called Evolve. After working with the students throughout the year, we invited them to the 私房俱乐部 campus to get a sense of what university life is like and to celebrate their hard work with an awards ceremony and lots of pizza!

Future Marketers on Campus

20 May 2025

Pupil Premium students from Iveshead School explored the opportunities and skills they could gain from studying a Business degree.

Spaghetti Towers Spaghetti Bridges

13 May 2025

Students from Thomas Estley Community College took part in Architecture and Product Design workshops on campus, testing how they could make strong sturdy towers and weight-defying bridges out of everyday materials.

Exploring the 私房俱乐部niverse!

09 May 2025

A group of Year 9 SEN students from John Ferneley College had the exciting opportunity to explore the 私房俱乐部 campus in our new virtual game - 私房俱乐部niverse. Students were immersed in the experience, discovering a new and engaging way to learn about university life.

Fighting Viruses in the Escape Lab!

12 March 2025

We teamed up with 私房俱乐部's Microbiology team led by Dr Maitreyi Shivkumar to teach primary school students about viruses and how to fight back against them in an interactive Escape Lab.

Teen Tech Festival

11 March 2025

私房俱乐部 had the pleasure of hosting over 250 students from dozens of schools across the region for the Teen Tech Festival. Students took part in a range of challenges and activities with leading tech employers and got a chance to use industry-leading equipment too.

Paramedic Practice

06 March 2025

Students from Beaumont Leys School took part in our 私房俱乐部 Inspire Paramedic Science day, where they showed excellent team work and communication while learning CPR and Wound Control.

Mallow vibes only

14 February 2025

We have been hard at work creating spaghetti and marshmallow towers with Nuneaton Academy.

Putting those forensics skills to the test

04 February 2025

During our 私房俱乐部 Inspire 'CSI Leicester' day, students from Avanti Fields and Beaumont Leys got to experience a criminal investigation from the crime scene itself to the lab analysis and finally the court room.

We broke a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD!

12 December 2024

Back in October, we coordinated a world record attempt to hold the largest online hand hygiene lesson alongside the team! Find out more here.

Building Businesses with LEGO!

04 December 2024

Students from Lutterworth High School experienced ways to Build their own Business with this year's first 私房俱乐部 Inspire day!

Fashion Forward Students

19 November 2024

Students from Beaumont Leys School took part in a fashion-focused experience day, looking at textiles, print and patterns to design their own range of athleisure wear. They even got the chance to showcase their designs in a mini fashion show!

A Spooky and Creative Experience Day

28 October 2024

Students from Maplewell Hall School designed some scary monsters with the team in the Leicester Art Gallery today!

Partnerships with purpose

  1. Uniconnect - Pathways

    Pathways is the collaborative partnership of higher education providers in Leicestershire and Rutland as part of the Office for Students’ Uni Connect programme.

    Pathways work with schools and colleges to offer a number of activities and interventions in their local areas. Pupils who take part in Pathways events can experience life at university, develop new skills, explore future careers and more. also hosts a range of resources from virtual tours to student blogs.

  2. INTO University

    Essential to our work in Leicester's communities, we’ve partnered with IntoUniversity to support young people to achieve their potential.

    At our local centre, Barley Croft Primary School & Community Centre, IntoUniversity offers that supports young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods to attain their chosen aspiration, including further and higher education, employment and work-based training.

    Their mission is to provide local support that can break cycles of disadvantage and open up new opportunities for young people. We believe in the talent of every young person. We believe that, with support, every young person can progress to an excellent post-school destination and are committed to helping them on this journey.

  3. Universities Partnership

    A partnership for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

    is a commitment between 私房俱乐部, Loughborough University, University of Leicester, and the city and counties of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to work together for the benefit of local people and the prosperity of our places. ‘Universities Partnership’ combines the collective strengths of our universities and civic institutions to make a greater impact through collaboration for, with and among our communities.

    Through widening participation partnerships, we deliver targeted outreach programmes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to raise aspirations and ensure that every local child who has the ability to succeed at university is afforded the opportunity.

    Our shared mission is to provide inclusive and evidence-based educational opportunities, tailored to our local region, that both transform our students’ lives and equip them with the skills and competencies to change the lives of many others.

    Together we will:

    1. Work in partnership with our local schools and colleges to create an inclusive educational system that improves outcomes for those facing educational barriers and supports the most disadvantaged young people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to gain the skills, knowledge and experience they need to succeed in their lives.
    2. Create pathways and support programmes to increase higher education participation for local people facing barriers to entering university.
    3. Equip our education system with the best possible talent by partnering with schools and colleges to train new teachers, develop their staff and nurture their professional development.

  4. The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre (SLRC)

    Working collaboratively with our partners in the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre (SLRC), we continue to support their programme of work Teaching to Transform. Inspired by the work of bell hooks, the programme takes up elements of the unfinished agenda of the Macpherson Report’s recommendation to combat the “failure of the National Curriculum to adequately reflect the needs of a diverse, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society (Macpherson, 1999).” The work intends to provide an opportunity for the SLRC to contribute to 私房俱乐部’s wider public engagement agenda by influencing anti-racist, social-justice oriented pedagogic practice in Leicester, a city well known for its racial and ethnic diversity.

    The programme offers schools, students and teachers opportunities to take part in Classroom takeovers, assemblies, bespoke campus visits and teacher education activities.

Access and Participation Plan for 2025-26 to 2028-29

私房俱乐部's Access and Participation Plan aligns with our strategic vision to; Creating a community of participation, fairness and collective responsibility; transforming individual lives and championing a fair and sustainable society. The plan sets out how we, a higher education provider, will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from undergraduate education.

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Contacting the 私房俱乐部 Widening Access team

University is a new beginning – it's where you can find your people, your purpose, your place in the world. At 私房俱乐部, it's our goal to help every student reach their goal, whatever that might be.

Get in touch for more information, to book an activity or to sign up to our 私房俱乐部 Widening Participation newsletter.

- Sign up to our Newsletter - schoolsoutreach@dmu.ac.uk

Meet the team

Profile picture for Karla Juerges

Karla Juerges

Widening Access Manager

My 18 years’ worth of higher education experience has been proudly spent here at 私房俱乐部 (私房俱乐部). I have been very lucky to have been involved is some very exciting experiences; working on TV advert productions, travelling to New York with 私房俱乐部 students, re-building services and teams, to mention a few – and now the latest…

I have the pleasure of leading the awesome Widening Access team, small but mighty – together, we design and deliver initiatives aimed at improving access to education for underrepresented groups. 

I’m so looking forward to working with you and your students.

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Nick King

Widening Access Officer

I focus on sparking students' interest in higher education, making the university experience seem less daunting and more exciting. It's about showing them a world of possibilities and guiding them through their options, making the idea of university inviting and accessible.

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Praneal Mistry

Widening Access Assistant

Having studied at 私房俱乐部 (私房俱乐部) for 3 years and experiencing what university life is like, I use my experience to support students in their educational journeys by giving them a glimpse of what higher education and university can offer, as well as providing students with the skills they need to build a successful future. I love debunking the common myths about university and seeing students become inspired and excited about education.

I've had some really memorable experiences, from presenting on professional live streams, delivering large events on campus, to going out to my old school, WQE, to deliver presentations and activities.

 

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Ayesha Kaji

Widening Access Coordinator

When I first started university, I wasn’t sure what path I wanted to take. After working in various sectors and meeting many young people facing similar uncertainties, I chose to focus on widening participation and empowering youth through education. I believe that higher education should be accessible to everyone, and that young people bring valuable, inspiring perspectives while growing both personally and academically. I’m passionate about breaking down the stigma surrounding university and removing the barriers young people encounter. My aim is to see them succeed, and I believe widening access initiatives are key to helping them overcome these challenges and reach their full potential. I’m always excited to connect with young people, support them as they consider university, and help them realize their own potential.