Our support for families
In addition to our community-based centres that naturally build trust and communication with local families, we run specific programmes aimed at engaging parents and carers with their children’s education.
Family Learning Together
Our Family Learning Together programme creates space for parents, carers and children to explore future possibilities side by side, building confidence, sparking curiosity and strengthening the support networks that help students thrive.
Co-created with the University of Nottingham and launched in 2014, the programme began as part of the university’s parental engagement strategy and formed a key part of the partnership that established our first centres outside London. Following its success, Family Learning sessions were rolled out across all centres during the 2017–18 academic year.
A Nottingham parent and children attend a Family Learning Together session
“The programme offers aspiration-focused activities that give adults the opportunity to explore their children’s future goals and learn more about the pathways that could help them achieve them. Across three sessions each year, families take part in interactive learning designed to increase awareness of higher education, raise aspirations and encourage meaningful conversations about education and careers.
“Working across the Nottingham centres, I’ve seen first-hand how important our Family Learning programme is. These sessions help us build real relationships with parents and carers – some we’ve worked with for years, and others who meet us for the first time and get to know more about who we are, what we do, and how we can support their family. It’s always a joy to see families learning together and having open conversations about higher education and the future in such a positive, fun environment – usually with plenty of laughter along the way. The students especially love having their families involved and being able to share the IntoUniversity experience with them.
“One of my favourite things about the programme is how it gives us the opportunity to meet younger siblings, even babies and toddlers – many of them eventually start coming to IntoUniversity themselves when they turn seven. It feels like a real privilege to already have those relationships with families before the children even begin their own journey with us.
“Each year, we celebrate the programme with a Family Learning graduation at the University of Nottingham. In 2025, three coachloads of families (78 students and 79 family members!) from across the three Nottingham centres came together for the event. Families joined academics and university staff for a range of hands-on activities, from meeting a robot dog to badge making! Our partnership with the University of Nottingham is at the heart of this programme, with their staff supporting us to create and deliver sessions throughout the year and hosting this celebration.” – Nicola Hattamsworth, Regional Operations Manager (East Midlands)
Adult and Family Learning pilot
In collaboration with the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, we have launched an Adult and Family Learning (AFL) pilot at our Scottish centres. The programme brings together expertise in adult learning and attainment-raising initiatives with a deep understanding of local community needs.
The programme engages parents, carers, and other adult family members of IntoUniversity students, building on research showing how vital families are in supporting young people’s learning. It also provides tailored Higher Education guidance to parents and carers, helping families navigate pathways that might be unfamiliar, particularly where parents have not themselves studied at this level.
“The activities gave me encouragement to improve on myself, and learning about how children learn encouraged me to help them with their learning.” Kolade, IntoUniversity Adult and Family Learning Participant
The first phase ran from September 2024 to August 2025 at our Craigmillar, Govan, and Maryhill centres, with sessions beginning in January 2025. Activities took place at centres, online, in the local community, and at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, covering themes such as the transition to Secondary school, storytelling, understanding Additional Support Needs, and navigating the wider education system, including university applications. Phase two of the pilot is now underway, continuing to build skills, confidence, and engagement among families.