Years 12 to 13 activities

The Widening Participation team has a variety of evidence-informed in-school and on-site workshops and Experience Days to support your students. All activities have been matched to the Gatsby Benchmarks and many can be adapted around your school timetable. Please view our offer below for Y12-13 and get in touch with your Widening Participation contact or the team at wpteam@derby.ac.uk if you would like to book any of our events.

Events at the University

Date: Tuesday 30 September 2025, Wednesday 4 February 2026 and Tuesday 24 March 2026

Year group: 12/13

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby

Length of session: Full day

Description: These events focus on equipping students with the necessary independent learning skills for their current and future studies. Throughout the day we will focus on reflective thinking and metacognition as we encourage your learners to develop their academic skills, underpinning their knowledge of their existing thought processes and preparation for higher-level learning. 

Learning outcomes: 1, 3, 6

Gatsby benchmarks: 3, 7

Delivery method: On-campus

Find out more about our next Think, Reflect, Succeed event

Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026

Year group: All years

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby

Length of session: Full day

Description: Students with experience of care - and their carers - are invited for a personalised visit to the University. On the day, students will find out more about the additional support available as a care-experienced student, meet current students and engage in interactive taster sessions.

Delivery method: On-campus

Learning outcomes: 1, 4, 6

Gatsby benchmarks: 2 and 7

Find out more about our CES Experience Day

Date: Negotiable

Year groups: 12-13

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Length of session: Full or half-day

Description: For students participating in the Extended Project Qualification, this event features workshops on presentation skills and how to use our library for research.

Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Gatsby benchmarks: 7

Delivery method: On-campus

Contact wpteam@derby.ac.uk to book your EPQ Information Day. 

Date: Negotiable, however, mid-November to mid-January and April to July are preferable

Year groups: 12-13 and Access students

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Length of session: Flexible

Description: The library team welcomes you to explore the vast resources available in our academic library by way of tour, quiz, escape room, individual research, or workshops looking at using different sources and source reliability.

Learning outcome: 6

Gatsby benchmark: 7

Delivery method: On-campus

Contact wpteam@derby.ac.uk to book a visit to our library. 

There are lots of opportunities for students to explore our campus, in addition to school and college visits.

Your students can attend an Open Day to get a feel for the city and campus, meet our staff experts, tour our first-class facilities and our award-winning accommodation. To get a taste of what your students can expect at a University of Derby Open Day, take a look at the best bits from our event in July.

They can also book one of our Campus Tours, where they can take a guided tour of our campuses and visit our accommodation. 

Explore dynamic subjects from expert academics in our new student-focused masterclasses. Designed for Y12 and Y13 students, these sessions offer an immersive experience to inspire and empower.

Find out more about our masterclasses

Discover a world of opportunities for your Key Stage 5 students with our dynamic range of activities and events, both on and off campus.

Find out more about our subject specific events

Activities in school

Dates: Negotiable

Year group: 12-13, Access students and parents/carers

Location: In school/sixth form/college

Length of session: 1 hour

Description: We can deliver information, advice, and guidance talks virtually, in-person, or as pre-recorded content for your students to access at a time to suit them. We cover a range of topics, including: 

  • Personal statements: stand out from the crowd
  • How to choose: how to navigate the digital university search
  • Is university for me?
  • Student Finance: all you need to know
  • University survival: what happens once you've applied

Learning outcomes: 4, 5, 6

Gatsby benchmark: 7

Delivery method: In school, online, or as part of an on-campus visit

Contact wpteam@derby.ac.uk to book an Information, Advice and Guidance talk.

Dates: Negotiable

Year groups: 12-13

Location: In school/college

Length of session: 1.5/2 hours

Description: This workshop focuses on preparing students for their transition into HE. Throughout the session, students will focus on what to expect from their university experience (especially in their first few weeks) and the knowledge needed to be successful, with a particular emphasis on budgeting, goal setting and skill sets. 

Learning outcomes: 1, 4, 6

Gatsby benchmark: 7

Delivery method: In school

Please speak to your Widening Participation contact or email wpteam@derby.ac.uk to book your 'Preparing for University' workshop. 

 

 

Two students studying in a study space together at the University and writing notes.

Thank you for giving them the opportunity to work independently, think for themselves, and choose their own areas of interest. This gave them some much-needed autonomy and freedom.

Head Teacher - Buxton Community School
Think, Reflect, Succeed 2023

Book an activity

Our on-campus and in-school activities provide key information about higher education and alternative progression routes. They have been designed to support attainment, channel aspiration and help students make informed decisions about their future.

Contact us at wpteam@derby.ac.uk to book an activity.