Supporting Progression Conference
We're delighted to announce details for our Supporting Progression Conference.
Wednesday 29 April 2026, 9.00am - 3.30pm
| Time | Session details |
|---|---|
| 9.00am | Registration |
| 9.20am | Welcome and setting the scene Amy Newton, Student Recruitment & Outreach Manager, Teesside University |
| 9.30am | Updates and insight Sarah Gordon, Adviser Lead, UCAS Get the latest updates from UCAS, including information ahead of the 2027 cycle. We also signpost attendees to all the resources they need to support their students through the process. |
| 10.30am | Refreshment break |
| 10.45am | Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) Sammie Fletcher, Student Loans Company Get an overview of the LLE and gain a clearer understanding of what your students are entitled to. |
| 11.30pm | Lunch |
| 12.15pm | Luke Askew, Aim a Little Higher A high energy, interactive session based on three main ideas: You chose this sector for a reason, let's reconnect with that 'why'. You are not 'just another' career advisor, the ripples of your impact spread further than you'll ever realise or be thanked for. The importance of designing your own unique approach, how to identify it, amplify it and add it to your interactions. |
| 1.15pm | Understanding trauma in the student experience Dr Nikki Carthy and Dr Sarah Allen Explore how trauma shapes students' experiences of university life, and how it can influence academic persistence and mental wellbeing. We will also share practical recommendations from our research and invite you to join a wider discussion about trauma in education. |
| 2.30pm | Subject spotlights Take part in interactive and engaging subject sessions, designed to give you an insight into what studying these subjects at higher education really looks like - and ideas you can take back and share with your students. Choose from: Cyber security: take part in a live phishing attack in our brand-new cyber security control room Food and nutrition: experience our labs and make your own smoothie to take away Policing: explore what's involved in fingerprinting and visit our crime scene lab |
3.15pm | Plenary |
| 3.30pm | Close |
Speakers
Sarah Gordon
Adviser Lead, UCAS
Sarah specialises in supporting teachers and advisers to embed higher education guidance within school and college strategies. With a career spanning teaching, leadership, and partnership development across both state and independent sectors, Sarah is passionate about driving dynamic, place-based change and creating scalable networks that widen access to post-16 and higher education pathways - empowering young people and those who support them to make informed choices and achieve sustainable futures. Drawing on experience in classrooms, policy, and regional development, Sarah champions professional curiosity and purposeful career growth for educators.
Luke Askew
Aim a Little Higher
Luke s a transformational speaker and visionary Leader with over a decade of experience igniting purpose and inspiring change. Specialising in purpose-driven leadership and youth empowerment, Luke equips individuals to unlock their full potential and purpose. At just 21, Luke founded his first coaching and training company, driven by a deep passion for transforming the education system and empowering the next generation. His visionary work earned him a nomination for a Global Youth Award, recognising his commitment to inspiring and empowering the next generation.
Dr Nikki Carthy
Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Nikki Carthy is a Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Psychology. Her research focuses on trauma, violence, and victimisation across the lifespan, with expertise in gender-based violence and justice system responses. Her research interests include understanding the psychological impact of trauma and adversity, particularly within vulnerable populations, and developing strategies that integrate public health principles into safeguarding and harm reduction.
Dr Sarah Allen
Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Sarah Allen is an Assistant Professor in Psychology. Her research sits at the intersection of health psychology, psychobiology, and applied mental health and more recently has concentrated on understanding the factors underpinning mental health difficulties in university students. More recently, her research has concentrated on understanding the factors underpinning mental health difficulties in university students, with a particular emphasis on the impact of prior trauma.
Sammie Fletcher
Student Finance England
Sammie has spent the last 10 years in the education sector working in a range of roles including operations, teaching and management. Sammie joined SLC in February 2024 having previously worked in the further education sector, bringing a wealth of knowledge with her. She provides information, advice and guidance across the North East England, Yorkshire, Humber and Lancashire.