Learning Coach

The University of Chester believes that people from all backgrounds should be given the opportunity to achieve their educational goals. It is therefore the proud and enthusiastic Lead Sponsor for Ellesmere Port's Academy.

Under the Academy scheme, the Government's Department for Children, Schools and Families appoints representatives from the sponsors to sit on the new governing body. Among the University's nominations would be its most senior managers, including the Dean of Education and Children's Services.

There is a close relationship between the University and the Academy. Student volunteers already work as ‘mentors', helping GCSE pupils to develop study and organisational skills, build their confidence and perform at their best. ‘Taster days' and residential summer schools on campus also enable pupils to gain a sense of what being a student feels like.

One of the most long-established institutions offering a university education in the country, the University was founded in 1839 by the Church of England as the first place in the UK to offer specialist teacher training. Two of its founders went on to become Prime Ministers (one of whom was also a Chancellor of the University of Oxford) and one an Archbishop of Canterbury.

Now, Education is just one of a choice of more than 130 different subject combinations taught by 500 highly qualified and experienced academic staff as full- and part-time courses. These cover the areas of Applied and Health Sciences; Arts and Media; Business, Management and Law; Health and Social Care; Humanities; Lifelong Learning and Social Science.

There are 15,000 students from all over the World, but almost a quarter come from within 30 miles of the University. Most (more than 7,500) are studying for first degrees (97% from State schools), 3,500 are nursing and midwifery students and approximately 3,000 are at postgraduate or research level.

The University is a registered charity, serving the community, and its annual income is more than £70 million. In addition to occupying some of Chester's most historic locations, over the past three years alone it has spent more than £25 million on new and refurbished buildings at its campuses in Parkgate Road Chester and Crab Lane, Warrington, such as a purpose-built Business and IT Centre, state-of-the-art Library and Learning Resources Centre, a hi-tech Arts and Media site and Students' Union facilities. The Academy enables it to invest further in excellence in education, for the benefit of Ellesmere Port.