LEAPS, SHEP and SWAP access and transition We continue to contribute fully to the Lothian Equal Access Partnership for Schools (LEAPS), the Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP) and Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) East. We recognise that applicants from low progression schools face additional barriers in applying to University, and address these through our contextualised admissions arrangements. We were pleased to recruit 55 entrants from SHEP schools in 2021-22, which represents 6% of all SDUE entrants. This is an increase on the 43 entrants and 4.5% achieved in 2020-21. In 2022-23, we look forward to supporting the introduction of the refreshed National Schools Programme, developing and contributing to both new and existing successful projects that act as a bridge between Senior Phase school and tertiary education. For instance, in 2022-23, we will deliver the third iteration of our ‘Step Into Health @ QMU’ programme aimed at S5 and S6 LEAPS eligible students interested in applying to our Nursing, Paramedic Science and Allied Health programmes. ‘Step into Health’ sees academic staff and current students provide pupils with experience and insight into studying these subjects at University, and upon which such pupils can draw for their university application personal statement. In addition, in 2022-23 we are introducing a new schools based programme ‘QMU Creates’. QMU Creates will pilot within East Lothian and offer 25 LEAPS eligible S2 and S3 pupils the opportunity work with current QMU students studying across our creative industries programmes to write, produce and direct a series of short films that will be showcased at an end of project celebration within the local community. This pilot programme will afford our students the opportunity to undertake a community engagement module as part of their programmes of study and increase local applicants to UG programmes such as Film and Media, Costume Design and Construction and Drama.
