Students from six Havant constituency schools received advice and guidance on higher education at an event organised by local MP Alan Mak.
The Havant Constituency Universities Conference for Local Schools was attended by representatives from Oxford and Cambridge as well as local institutions Southampton, Portsmouth and Southampton Solent with the aim of helping boost the aspirations of local students and get them aiming for a top university.
During the day, students from Warblington, Hayling College, Purbrook Park, Crookhorn College, Park Community and Havant Academy were given advice on A-level choices, university subjects, university life, degree-level apprenticeships and the Oxbridge application process.
In total around 100 students were at the event, held in the Dickinson Centre at Park Community School in Leigh Park, which Alan said he had organised to boost the uptake of pupils from the Havant area considering university. The constituency has a historically low level of students attending university and Alan has been keen to take practical action.
He said: “I was the first person in my family to go to university, so I know how daunting a decision it can be for some young people. That’s why I wanted to bring together a mixture of internationally renowned universities with some of our excellent local higher education providers to showcase the benefits of a university education.
“I believe that a university education should be open to anyone, no matter their background and I hope that my event will have inspired some pupils to take degree level courses. However, I appreciate that a university education is not the best choice for every young person, and I’ll be showcasing the best apprenticeships and jobs on offer in the local area at my fourth Havant Jobs, Apprenticeships and Careers Fair.”
Alan’s Fourth Havant Jobs, Apprenticeships and Careers Fair is taking place on Friday 15 March from 10am to 2pm at Havant Leisure Centre. For more information visit www.alanmak.org.uk/JobsFair2019
Christopher Anders, Headteacher of Park Community School, said: “The students and I both found the information helpful but more importantly inspirational as we heard about the benefits of a top university education. I was delighted to once again support Alan’s event, and his desire to boost the aspiration of students from Leigh Park and across the constituency.”
Picture: Havant MP Alan Mak with students attending his Havant Constituency Universities Conference
