About Us

Higher Horizons is part of the Uni Connect Programme. We are funded by the government to improve access to university and other forms of higher education for young people who are under-represented in higher education. Where you are born and the experiences you have can affect your likelihood of going to university.

We believe that everyone with the ability and desire to study at a higher level should be able to. Our programme supports young people to progress through education, and increase their likelihood of going in to higher education, whether that is at university, via an apprenticeship, or in a college setting.

Our Programme

Higher Horizons works in partnership with schools to deliver and sustained and progressive programme of outreach events. Our research shows that young people need at least 5 hours of support including a campus visit to significantly improve their chances of progressing to higher education. We work with schools in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire to deliver activities across year groups, to ensure students who need support get it.

We run information, information, advice and guidance workshops; university visit days; revision and study skills; and curriculum enhancement workshops. All Higher Horizons activities are free for our target schools.

Management Team

Ant Sutcliffe

Associate Director
Higher Horizons

Hannah Merry

Head of Higher
Horizons Operations

Katie Coombe-Boxall

Data and Research Manager

James Elliott

Evaluation and Evidence Manager

Richard Seymour

White Water Writers Project Officer

Rachel Turner

Finance
Administrator

Carol Ellis

Administrator

Milly Booth-Boniface

Administrative
Assistant

Delivery Team

Laura Tonge

Keele Hub
Manager

Mark Deaville

Keele Hub
Project Officer

Ashleigh Jones-Hastings

Keele Hub
Project Officer

Charlotte Hughes

Keele Hub
Project Officer

Vacant

Keele Hub
Project Officer

Tom Downham

Keele Hub
Administrator

Lucy Harding

Staffordshire Hub
Manager

Jemma Jackson

Staffordshire Hub
Project Officer

Sophia Khalid

Staffordshire Hub
Project Officer

Simran Virdee

Staffordshire Hub Project Officer 

Vacant

Staffordshire Hub
Project Officer

Vacant

Staffordshire Hub
Administrator

Get in touch

You can see if your school is eligible for Higher Horizons activities by visiting our Teacher page. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us by emailing ncop@keele.ac.uk and we will pass you on to your local delivery Hub.

Want to find out more about Higher Horizons
and the support we offer?

Want to find out more about Higher Horizons and the support we offer?