The move from school into higher education can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are not sure what to expect. T&A reporter Joanne Earp takes a look at a scheme which is helping to reduce that fear by giving children as young as 13 a first taste of university.

While most teenagers are using the early part of their summer holidays to take a break from studies, some are taking part in Bradford's own Junior University.

Organised by the University of Bradford and funded through the Centre for Continuing Education, the scheme is for youngsters from ethnic minority communities living in the inner-city.

It was set up in 1996 with the aim of tackling under-achievement and increasing the number of ethnic minority students who take advantage of local facilities.

Now it boasts a range of services - from weekly term-time homework help sessions and parents seminars to activity programmes for the school holidays.

This year's two-week summer programme has attracted more than 50 youngsters from ten middle and upper schools in Bradford and Keighley.

Activities range from campus-based workshops such as wood-carving and surfing the net to behind the scenes trips to Bradford Royal Infirmary and even a visit to a local archaeological site.

Project co-ordinator Anwar Ayub says the initiative is a good way of strengthening links with schools and challenging the 'ivory tower' image of university.

She said: "These are ethnic minority kids from deprived inner-city areas. Unless another member of the family has already gone into higher education, many are not sure what to expect.

"The feedback we have had so far has been very positive. All the taster sessions are based on undergraduate courses and tailored to meet the needs of young people.

"This is a great way to show teenagers and their parents what university is all about. The activities are fun and exciting and we're helping them work on their career choices at the same time.

"Sometimes there is a lot of pressure put on ethnic minority children to choose certain career paths. When they come here they get a chance to try out subjects like optometry or archaeology and, as a result, they end up discovering that's what they really want to do in life."

Although ethnic minority students are enrolling in higher education the University is concerned that they are not necessarily choosing Bradford.

Anwar said: "There is no pressure put on the children, the summer scheme is all about them having fun and access to all sorts of facilities and technology they've maybe never had a chance to use before. If they eventually choose to apply for a place at Bradford, that's a bonus for the University."

As well as providing taster sessions for youngsters who are thinking of going to university, the scheme aims to attract children who have little or no aspirations or who may have had negative experiences at school.

Although it runs for two weeks, teenagers can drop into workshops of their choice as and when it suits them.

Fifteen-year-old Zahir Ghafoor, from Keighley, has set his sights on a place at university and is using the computer-taster session to find out more about the Internet.

The Greenhead Grammar School pupil said: "I want to be a computer programmer so this is a good chance to learn new skills. I'm quite happy to do it in my spare time because it's a good atmosphere."

Abdul Rehman, 17, who attends Rhodesway Upper School, added: "The sooner you learn new skills the better. This is the second time I've attended Junior University and I will probably end up applying for a place at Bradford after my A-levels."

And Belle Vue Girls School pupil Raabia Khan, 15, said: "I want to go to university and be an optician. Junior University is a chance to enjoy yourself and learn new skills."

The Junior University summer programme runs until Friday. For further details about this, or the Saturday workshops which run from 3.30pm to 5pm starting Saturday, September 12, contact Nadira Mirza or Anwar Ayub on Bradford 235364.

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