Raise The Bar

Description

The Raise the Bar Conference 2026 is designed for students who are interested in higher education or who may be unsure about their future options. It provides Global Majority students with opportunities to explore pathways that support and elevate their aspirations.

The conference will involve students from up to ten schools and sixth‑form colleges, with a total of 150 attendees. Participants will hear from keynote speakers, including Malcolm Richards and Kane Allen, discussing the barriers students face in education and how these can be challenged.

Students from the School of Education and Childhood Studies will share their experiences of transitioning from further education to higher education and will engage in workshops aimed at shaping future practice within the school. Their insights will help inform the development of a more inclusive environment and contribute to ongoing work to reduce the awarding gap. Lecturers will ensure outcomes feed directly into teaching and module content. Students will take on roles as ambassadors and will be invited to share their own journeys.

All 150 students will participate in a graffiti workshop run by Grafarti, creating a shared montage that reflects their identities and experiences. They will also take part in a cookery workshop led by school staff. There are also interactive tours, such as visits to the Robotics Lab, forensic lab, music centre and policing.  

The event gives students a first‑hand experience of UWE Bristol's inclusive culture.