Ditch the Doubt: Headline Project Evaluation Report 2022/23 (HeppSY)

To determine whether this novel approach to targeted activity could help mitigate additional barriers faced by specific groups of students, Higher Education Progression Partnership South Yorkshire (HeppSY) adopted a mixed-method triangulation approach consisting of pre and post questionnaires, focus groups, rating scale activities and teacher observation forms. Such an approach allowed the evaluators to identify cognitive change before and after the project and to effectively locate the association with the specific interventions. The data collected throughout the project was used to explore the impact of the programme in five key areas: HE knowledge, career knowledge, seeing your future self, academic confidence, and likelihood to apply for HE at age 18/19. Ditch the Doubt had a clear impact on the students who participated. Students were equipped with greater knowledge of pathways, which will support them in making an informed choice about HE. Students developed an increased understanding student life and a greater sense of fit within HE. An increase in personal and academic confidence also emerged through survey and focus group data, as well as via the embedded coaching rating scales. The rating scales indicated that the coaching is a key component of Ditch the Doubt, highlighting its positive impact on the students’ confidence, trust in their own judgement and perception of their future. Confidence was further impacted by the programme’s oracy workshop, which was frequently referenced in the focus groups in the context of reducing anxiety prior to giving presentations.