"Aspire North supported me a lot during my senior years at Tain Royal Academy when I was applying to study PE teaching. They made pre-application enquiries to various universities on my behalf which helped me find out which subjects and grades I would need to achieve in S6.

As well as providing great support to write my personal statement, Aspire North gave me advice on academic interviews as well as doing mock interviews with me, which really helped me feel prepared for the real thing. Aspire North’s workshops on funding, budgeting and also on student life skills were very useful to me in getting ready for life at university. Now in my 2nd year studying PE teaching at Edinburgh University, I have also recently become a Student Volunteer with Aspire North where I help give advice to current school pupils on what being a student is like."

"Aspire North are one of the most supportive organisations that I have worked with in my 15 years of teaching. The staff go above & beyond time & time again to support the young people, their families & the school with their service. Aspire North are friendly, approachable & very professional. It is a delight to have them in the school working with our young people, they get on well with our staff . Our parents are always very positive about their experience with Aspire North. Our young people love taking part in the activities & trips offered. Their support during our UCAS period is immeasurable & the advice we receive as staff in helping our young people with UCAS helps us out a lot."

"I wanted to thank you for having my son attend the recent Aspire North trip to Edinburgh. He came home with enthusiasm and ideas for future learning, something he hasn’t had for a long time. The trip provided him the opportunity to see what is available to him and lit some sparks. I think it will help him be more open to trying something new and not just settling."

"Jake started off in the Northern Lights group in S1 and right from the first visit to RGU, Garthdee he said that was where he was going to study at when he left school. He didn't know what he wanted to study but that was where he was going to do it at. He moved onto the AspireNorth programme in S3 and remained in the group until they graduated in S6. I'm proud to say that he is now studying Engineering at RGU, Garthdee so his dream became a reality. Lesley-Ann was a great support on results day and without her knowledge we wouldn't have known who to contact at RGU when we had some queries. Well done to all the team and we hope AspireNorth can continue to support the S3 upwards groups for many years to come."

"Aspire North gave me a bit more confidence to move to uni. They have helped me be mindful of certain things when attending uni and getting settled in."

"Having been on the Aspire North programme for S5 and S6, I attended lots of their workshops and activities including an S6 residential trip which helped me write my UCAS personal statement. The advice I received over the years helped me choose my path and I have just begun studying BSc Maths and Physics at Strathclyde. Having recently become estranged from my family, Aspire North supported me a lot with student accommodation applications and various funding applications which has made attending university possible."