This page provides more information on Higher Education and the Zero Gravity programme.

Higher Education

Higher Education (HE) is any study at Level 4 or above and can take place at a college, university or through an apprenticeship.

More information on courses available can be found on the UCAS website.

Find out more about Higher Education

Education providers looking to find out more about Higher Education can email Suzanne Wilks via: Suzanne.wilks@doncaster.org.uk

Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity is an online platform designed to support Year 12 and Year 13 students with their applications. Once registered on the dedicated platform students have the opportunity to become matched with a mentor who is a current undergraduate. Where possible this will be a student currently on a course and Higher Education (HE) institution that matches their future aspirations. The platform is also expanding to include apprenticeship applications. In addition a Zero Gravity app will become available later in the year to increase ease of access for students to the platform.

Alongside the mentoring there is also access to live sessions and recorded content to further increase knowledge and increase applications. This includes sessions run by admissions tutors and employers, all designed to give young people additional support with their applications. Through engagement with the platform students can also become eligible to apply for a bursary to support them through their HE study.

City of Doncaster Council has funded Zero Gravity to provide their platform for every Year 12 and Year 13 student. We are the only local authority in the country to offer this to students.

To sign up students just need to visit the Zero Gravity website. 

The Impact of Zero Gravity

Through engaging with Zero Gravity students are 5 times as likely to secure a place at Oxbridge and nearly twice as likely to secure a place at a Russell Group or high tariff university.

In 2023/24 Zero Gravity worked with 183 Year 13 students in Doncaster, a 40% increase on the previous year. 56 Year 13 students were matched with a mentor (up 50%) and these students logged 377 mentoring hours (up 98%). During the 3 years City of Doncaster Council have worked with Zero Gravity the numbers of young people engaging with the platform have increased and we are continuing to build on this in 2024/25 by engaging with more of our Post 16 institutions.

Once students have moved in HE they will continue to receive support from the platform with content to help them gain experience and insights into different companies. They will also have access to a career mentor to provide support with looking at their next steps. Next year we will be able to report on the first Doncaster graduates who have been support by Zero Gravity throughout their time in HE.

Sign up or find out more

Students and schools can sign up at the dedicated Zero Gravity website. 

 

ASK (Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge Programme for schools and colleges)

The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme for schools and colleges (ASK) is funded through Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) and from March 2024 has been delivered in the Doncaster area by Doncaster Council.

The programme offers a range of sessions to schools and colleges from pupils in Year 10-Year 13 to increase knowledge of apprenticeships and other technical qualifications. The sessions including apprenticeship awareness and application support and range in size from whole year assemblies to small targeted groupwork. There are also sessions for parents and CPD for teachers and advisors. In addition, we also can attend careers fairs and options events to answer questions. The sessions are fully funded for schools and colleges in Doncaster to book.

Find out more at the dedicated website. 

To book sessions please contact Suzanne Wilks by email, Suzanne.Wilks@doncaster.gov.uk

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