SUPI lessons

This page provides links to some of the inspiring case studies and rich resources created by School-University Partnerships Initiative (SUPI) projects.
University of Southampton Talk to US! 'School pupils examine their electrophoresis gels at LifeLab'

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

Engaging school students in formal and informal learning contexts

Using different tools and technologies to support engagement

Connecting teachers with contemporary research

Supporting the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

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

3. Providing researchers with opportunities and training to engage with secondary school students

Creating high-quality training opportunities

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