Our impact

Higher Horizons has been delivering outreach activities in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire since 2017. Everything we do is driven by evidence of what works. Our impact evaluation has found that those learners who engage in the Higher Horizons programme are statistically significantly more likely to progress to university than those from a similar background.

You can find out more information about the impact of our work below.

Since 2017 we have delivered 8,700 activities to over 73,000 young people at 170 schools and colleges.

Over

2000

information, advice and guidance workshops

500

campus experience
days

700

subject masterclasses

500

attainment
raising programmes

100

Mentoring programmes

20

residential
summer schools

Over

20

information, advice and guidance workshops

30

campus experience
days

20

subject masterclasses

2

attainment
raising programmes

20

Mentoring programmes

3

residential
summer schools

Impact Reports

We publish annual reports about our evaluation and impact. Use the links below to find out more.

Impact Report (May, 2026)

Impact Report Technical Annex (May, 2026)

Evaluation Report 2024/25

Evaluation Report 2023/24

Evaluation Report 2022/23

Impact of Activity Types on Progression Rates

Research

Higher Horizons has conducted some research into what drives the university and college choices and participation of the students we work with. You can find a list of recent projects below.

Bucking the Trend

Life story interviews with several young men from white working-class backgrounds who bucked the trend and progressed to higher education.

Perspectives & Prospects

Exploring the educational ambitions and motivations of white working-class boys across the North West of England.

Triggers & Timings

Examining educational transitions (GCSES; post-16 study and training; post-18 destinations) among young people from economically disadvantaged areas with low rates of university participation.

Views from the Chalk-face (Main Study)

Examining teachers’ perceptions of Higher Horizons and the impact of our activities.

Views from the Chalk-face (Supplementary study 1)

Examining teachers’ views on the role of outreach during the Covid-19 pandemic and challenges experienced by young people in schools as they returned to school.

Views from the Chalk-face (Supplementary study 2)

Examining outreach practitioners’ perspectives on supporting the schools and colleges involved in Views from the Chalk-face; and their reflections on the study’s findings.

Conversations with teaching professionals

Developing a better understanding of current and future outreach needs: following the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of teaching professionals who have engaged in Higher Horizons activities reflect on the needs of their students.

Case studies

From time to time we write case studies about some of the
students we’ve supported through our programme.

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?