Explore the inspiring case studies and rich resources created by School-University Partnerships Initiative (SUPI) projects, over the course of the four year Research Councils UK programme.
The NCCPE has worked with the 12 SUPI projects to distil the key lessons learned in a booklet, alongside relevant snapshot case studies from the projects. We hope it will enable universities and schools to initiate, enhance and develop their approach to long-term school-university partnerships.
Download & read the SUPI Lessons Booklet
1. Inspiring the next generation by bringing contemporary research into formal and informal learning contexts to enhance the curriculum and raise ambition
Authentic research that inspires school students
- UEA SUPI case study: 'Using barcoding to identify the fungal and algal partners in lichen symbiosis'
- UEA SUPI case study: 'Year 10 summer school'
- Strathclyde SUPI case study: 'MUSE oral history research project'
- Bristol SUPI case study: 'The StAR project'
Engaging school students in formal and informal learning contexts
- Exeter SUPI case study: 'Eco Soc: Designing Intelligence'
Using different tools and technologies to support engagement
- Aberystwyth SUPI case study: 'Developing meaningful added value activities between researchers and schools'
- OU/DTSA SUPI case study: 'Labcasts: Bringing Cutting Edge Science to the Classroom'
Connecting teachers with contemporary research
- Bristol SUPI case study: 'The Romantics teacher CPD: a school-led curriculum support activity'
Supporting the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- OU/DTSA SUPI EPQ support resources
- Manchester SUPI case study: 'Extended Project Qualifications: Mathematical Modelling and Problem Solving'
2. Reaching secondary school students from a diversity of backgrounds and abilities and engaging the widest possible range of teachers and schools in ways which have maximum impact on teaching quality and learning
Engaging the widest possible range of teachers and schools
Southampton Talk to US! guide book and teacher resources
3. Providing researchers with opportunities and training to engage with secondary school students
Creating high-quality training opportunities
- Manchester SUPI: Researcher Training Videos
- Exeter SUPI: 'Planning an engaging lesson'
4. Supporting secondary schools and HEIs to work together to create structured, strategic, sustainable and equitable mechanisms for school-university engagement
Perspectives on Partnership Tool
Created by the NCCPE in consultation with the SUPI projects (including researchers, teachers, students, and university staff) this resource is a great planning and talking tool to help develop effective partnerships. Presented as a set of cards, you can request a copy of this resource by emailing nccpe.enquiries@uwe.ac.uk (one per person, limited time only).
Alternatively you can download and print the Perspectives on Partnership (PoP) Tool yourself. Simply download the three documents, print them out (print on both sides of paper, flip on short edge), and then cut or fold as indicated.
Planning for school university engagement
Evaluating to enhance activities
- Black and Featherstone (2014), Evaluation Tools, University of Exeter
- Southampton's Talk to US! 'Building School-University Partnerships' Guidebook contains a section on evaluation and a case study about the evolution of the 'Murder in the Medical School' activity
Building an infrastructure
- See Cardiff's Curriculum Support website for an example of how to join up and make visible what your university can offer to schools
Online guides and resources
- Exeter's Empowering Partnerships: Enabling Engagement SUPI resource suite
- OU/DTSA SUPI school-university resources
- Southampton's Talk to US! SUPI 'Building School-University Partnerships' Guidebook