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For Schools and Colleges
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Schools Membership Scheme

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What is the Schools Membership Scheme?

The Schools Membership Scheme (SMS) aims to create close partnerships between eligible schools or colleges and Durham University to support teachers, students, parents and guardians with all things relating to Higher Education (HE). The scheme offers a bespoke package of activity for your students that is designed to build the knowledge, skills and attributes to support their progression to Higher Education, particularly Durham. 

We are delighted to be expanding SMS programme for the 2023/24 academic year and are excited to be welcoming select primary schools to the scheme. 

What are the benefits for member schools? 

We will work with you to build a bespoke menu of provision for your school delivered by Durham University. You and your students will receive priority booking and/or consideration for a range of opportunities and will be invited to exclusive activities. Here are some of the benefits you will have access to: 

  1. A dedicated team at Durham University to collaborate on a bespoke yearlong plan for your school. 
  2. Access to on-campus events. 
  3. In-school sessions delivered at your school/college. 
  4. A regular newsletter for teachers and advisers. 
  5. Prioritised consideration for selected Year 12 programmes including Supported Progression and STEP* (This is not applicable for primary school members). 
  6. You may be eligible for a travel bursary fund to support with travel expenses for on-campus events. 
  7. The opportunity to be considered for additional attainment raising support. 
  8. Attendance at your parents’ evenings, careers fairs or equivalent. 

*All activities offered are subject to availability and any face-to-face activities are subject to health and safety policies and guidance. Certain activities may be subject to additional eligibility criteria or selection guidelines. 

How are schools selected? 

Member schools are selected by Durham and invited to join the scheme. We select schools that we think will most benefit from the scheme, prioritising schools that have high proportions of students who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) or who come from Quintile 1 or 2 areas according to POLAR 4*. We also look to impact young people across wider groups of schools (e.g. multi-academy trusts). If you are not already a member school and would like to become one, the SMS team can explain the process in more detail. 

*officeforstudents.org.uk/data-and-analysis/young-participation-by-area/ 

 How can my school become a member? 

If you have read the relevant brochure and are interested in joining the Schools Membership Scheme, please get in touch with us by emailing schools.membership@durham.ac.uk and a member of the team will be happy to provide further details. 

 Who can I contact with any further questions? 

If you have any other questions that you can’t find the answers to on this page, then please get in touch with us by emailing schools.membership@durham.ac.uk. 

 Primary SMS Attainment Raising

Our DU Primary Schools Membership Scheme - Attainment Raising Menu has been put together by education experts at Durham University’s School of Education.