Student Wellbeing
Summer School for Students with
Autism/Asperger Syndrome
21st to 23rd July 2015
This July the University of Derby will be holding a Summer School for students with
Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome. This will enable new students to become familiar with
the University during a quieter period and begin to prepare for successfully
managing their transition to university.
Activities and Opportunities on Offer

An opportunity to experience a sample lecture and develop academic skills.

A two night stay in the Halls of Residence and the opportunity to practice
preparing a meal (this part is optional, please see note below).

A talk from current students with Autism/Asperger Syndrome who have
successfully made the transition to university.

An opportunity to begin to get to know other students and discover the
opportunities provided by the Students’ Union, for example clubs and
societies.

A focus on different types of support available and how to make best use of
these.

An opportunity for a one to one meeting with someone from the Student
Wellbeing Team to talk through any concerns and to develop an action plan
for preparing for university.
Event Dates and Times
The event will commence at 10.30am on Tuesday 21st July and will finish at 3pm on
Thursday 23rd July. For those who wish to stay, two nights’ accommodation will be
provided in halls of residences. For those who don’t wish to stay in the Halls of
Residence see notes below.
Event Staff
All of the activities will be organised and delivered by members of staff from the
University’s Student Wellbeing, who have many years of experience of supporting
students with Autism/Asperger Syndrome. These staff are familiar with the types of
issues which may arise and are experienced in helping students to develop
strategies to manage these. They will be assisted by current students trained by the
Student Wellbeing to act as ‘mentors’. This will give a good ratio of participants to
staff and enable us to provide a very supportive experience.
Aims of the Summer School
Our aims for the Summer School are to help participants to identify those aspects of
starting university that may be a challenge and to support them in identifying ways to
minimise these. We also hope that it will give new students a closer experience of
what student life will be like once they have started their course. Therefore, there will
be the opportunity to practice some of the practical aspects of becoming a student –
such as preparing a meal or managing finances – and we will help participants to
develop strategies to cope with these. There will also be the opportunity to practice
taking notes in a lecture and some advice on developing effective study strategies.
We would also like the participants to begin the process of building up networks,
starting friendship groups, exploring non-academic opportunities such as Student
Union sports clubs and societies and also to have the opportunity to meet some of
the staff who will be supporting them.
Not Staying in Halls
Overnight accommodation is optional. If you intend to continue to live at home when
you start your course you may want to only attend the daytime sessions of the
summer school. If this is the case the hours of attendance will be:
Day One:
Tuesday 21 July – arrive at 10.30 and depart at 3.30pm (or stay for
optional evening activities from 5pm to 8.00pm)
Day Two:
Wednesday 22 July – arrive at 9am and depart at 4.30pm (or stay for
optional evening activities from 5pm to 8.00pm)
Day Three:
Thursday 23 July – arrive at 9am and depart at 3pm
Get Ahead Event in September
This event links in with the University’s Get Ahead event and enables participants to
engage in some preparatory activities that will enable them to get the most out of the
Get Ahead programme. Get Ahead will be held on 10th and 11th September 2015.
Further Information and Booking a Place on the Summer School
A draft version of the programme is available below to give you an idea of the
activities available. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the event, please
contact the Summer School Co-ordinator on 01332 593000.
To book onto the Summer School please complete the booking form below.
Draft Programme of Events
Tuesday 21st July
Time
09.30 - 10.30
10.30 - 11.00
11.00 - 11.20
11.20 - 11.45
11.45 - 12.45
12.45 - 13.00
13.00 - 14.00
14.00 - 15.00
15.00 - 15.30
15.30 - 17.00
Activity
Participants start to arrive and gather in the Common Room
Welcome to Summer School and Halls
Those participants staying overnight will be shown to their rooms
Travel to Markeaton Street site
Current student talks
Travel to Kedleston Road site
Lunch
Finance and Budgeting workshop
Action planning with mentors
Travel back to halls for evening activities or make way home
17.00 - 18.30 Cookery workshop
18.30 - 20.00 Informal social time, snacks and drinks will be provided
Wednesday 22nd July
Time Activity
08.00 - 09.00 Get up and eat breakfast
09.00 - 09.15 Meet in the Common Room for the day's activities
09.15 - 09.30 Travel to Britannia Mill
09.30 - 11.00 Transition to University and Taking Responsibility Workshop
11.00 - 11.30 Travel to Kedleston Road
Participants separate into groups for different afternoon activities
11.30 - 12.30 1-1 Appointment
12.30 - 13.30 Lunch
13.30 - 14.30
14.30 - 15.00
15.00 - 16.00
16.00 - 16.30
16.30 - 17:00
Talk from the Student Union
Library tour by mentors
DSA talk
Break (Blends) and Action planning with mentors
Travel back to halls for evening activities or make way home
17.00 - 18.30 Cookery workshop
18.30 - 20.00 Informal social time, snacks and drinks will be provided
Thursday 23rd July
Time Activity
08.00 - 09.00 Get up and eat breakfast, pack belongings
09.00 - 09.15 Meet in the Common Room for the day's activities
09.15 - 09.30 Travel to Markeaton Street
09.30 - 10.30 Mock Lecture
Participants separate into groups for different afternoon activities
10.40 - 11.40 Tour of Markeaton Street and Britannia Mill
11.40 - 12.40 Self-directed study with mentor
12.40 - 13.10 Break (Markeaton Street Café) and Action planning with mentors
13.10 - 13.30 Travel to Halls of Residence
13.30 - 15.00 Parent/Carer Workshop
13.30 - 14.45 Buffet lunch for all participants and mentors
14.45 - 15.00 Summary of the Summer School and thanking participants for taking part
Student Wellbeing
Summer School for Students with Autism/Asperger Syndrome
21st to 23rd July 2015
Booking Form
I would like to book a place on the Summer School
Name
Address
Email
Mobile
Telephone
Preferred method of contact:
Post / Email / Telephone / Mobile (please circle)
Will you require accommodation on the 21st and 22nd July?
Yes / No
Do you require any specific support or adjustments to attend
this event? E.g. BSL Interpreter, Personal Assistant
Yes / No
If yes, please outline here:
Are you intending to come to our Get Ahead event on Thursday
10th and Friday 11th September?
Yes / No
Please return to:
Summer School Co-ordinator, Student Wellbeing, University of Derby, Kedleston
Road, Derby DE22 1GB or email to studentwellbeing@derby.ac.uk
You will receive confirmation of your place and we look forward to seeing you there.