Pure Potential

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Pure Potential
Type Private
Genre Education company
Founded 2005
Headquarters London, UK
Website www.purepotential.org

Pure Potential is an independent education organisation based in London, UK. It helps, for free, 10,000 students from state schools and colleges around the country through its online platform and through its eight Summer events for sixth form students at some of the UK's most prestigious universities: Aston University, Cardiff University, LSE, Imperial College London, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, Newcastle University and University of Southampton. The purpose of the project is to increase social mobility by providing information, encouragement and contacts to bright state school students.

Contents

[edit] Website

The website comprises a large amount of interactive content including social networking, online tests (for BMAT], UKCAT, LNAT and Student Finance), a Personal Statement library, a jobs board, and an online careers library in partnership with Vault and an events booking system. These elements are arranged around the site in four sections: Personal, University, Recruitment and Events (P-U-R-E).

Picture from Pure Potential's first ever event, held at Christ the King Sixth Form College, Lewisham, London
Picture from Pure Potential's first ever event, held at Christ the King Sixth Form College, Lewisham, London

[edit] Events

The organisation's main body of work comes with its summer events for sixth form students. At these events, universities, firms, and expert speakers are brought together to inspire, inform and connect the students. Topics covered include: the benefits of university, student finance, the UCAS form, confidence and communication skills, careers, etc.

[edit] History

The organisation was started by Marc Zao-Sanders and James Uffindell in 2005 with a pilot for 500 students. Following a positive response from teachers, employers, universities, local government and students, the programme was rolled out for 10,000 students in 2006 and 2007. Since the start of 2007, Marc Zao-Sanders has been the managing director.

[edit] Partners

In addition to the eight partner universities, Pure Potential works with over 50 leading graduate recruitment partners including Goldman Sachs. PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Slaughter and May, the TDA, the BMA and McKinsey. The sectors covered are: Accountancy, Business, Investment Banking, Law, Management Consultancy, Medicine, Teaching. The graduate recruitment partners are 100% responsible for funding the organisation's activities.

Pure Potential also works with sections of the government's Aimhigher programme.

[edit] External links