Access Measures assessment of progress and formulation of targets Raising attainment in schools, and recruitment from Cornwall The University has made significant progress since 2013-14 in the recruitment of students from Cornwall, and is on track to double the number of enrolled students from Cornwall from 2013- 14 levels by 2019-20. This is a central strategic commitment for the University, reflecting the major investment in the HE infrastructure in Cornwall from the European Union and UK Government over two decades, designed to address low levels of HE places per head in the County, and to deliver higher skills for the benefit of the county’s economy. The Access Agreement, and the local access measures identified, are underpinned by a custom, annually updated in-depth analysis project called ‘Cornish Education Trends’. In 2016 the University also commissioned independent qualitative research, entitled ‘Cornwall Student Research 2016’, to support the development of better targeted access activity. The Strategic Guidance for 2018-19 Access Agreements asks universities to articulate plans to increase their work on raising attainment in schools, through one of three possible approaches:
Access Measures. 4.1 The College has engaged in outreach and widening participation activity for over ten years. In the course of that time we have organised masterclasses, mentoring, student ambassador work, taster sessions, mock interviews, Information, Advice and Guidance, and highly successful summer schools, both residential and non-residential. We have worked at both Primary School and Secondary School and Further Education College level. It is our intention that this type of activity continue at an enhanced level.
Access Measures. Bournemouth University’s Widening Participation Strategy already acknowledges the importance of having a multiple approach and a range of access measures targeted to the different key aspects of the student journey:
Access Measures. 3.1 Widening participation profile Widening participation in higher education is a key strategic aim for the University of Portsmouth, demonstrated by our success to date in recruiting and retaining a diverse student body. Using HESA performance indicators as an objective measure, we have a track record of recruiting close to or above the location adjusted benchmark for the proportion of students from state schools, from social classes 4-7, and young and mature entrants from low participation neighbourhoods. We also perform well in terms of student retention, with non-continuation rates consistently better than benchmark in recent years. HESA performance indicators for 2014/15, published in March 2016, show that the University has continued to outperform key targets for recruitment of young and mature students from low participation neighbourhoods included in our Access Agreements for 2012/13 onwards (HESA PIs Tables T1a and T2a). Our retention rates for young students from low participation neighbourhoods in 2013/14 remained at the same level as last year and continue to perform better than benchmark (HESA PIs Table 3b). Retention rates of mature full-time students have also improved since last year, remaining significantly better than benchmark for this indicator. We will continue to monitor our performance against annual benchmarks provided through the HESA performance indicators. Further improvement of retention rates and promoting successful outcomes for our widening participation students continue to be key priorities for the University.
Access Measures. As a Further Education College, we support local young people from all the OfS target groups to aim higher as part of our overall mission, and the majority of the College’s resources contribute to this societal aim, albeit outside the scope of this plan. We plan to spend 15% of the Access and Participation Fund on outreach. The activities will focus, where possible, on the following groups: • Areas with low participation rates in HE identified by POLAR4 Q1 and Q2, and specifically those within the College Group’s non-HE population or through Uni Connect Partnerships • Special Learning Difficulty or Disability (SLDD) • Care leavers • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (XXXX) communities In addition, the College seeks to refine its approach where possible to focus on the following groups, once Access data is collected and interpreted: • Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities • Refugee communities • Carers Internal and external outreach activities will comprise of the following • Work with further education students within the College Group (East Surrey College and Xxxx Xxxxxx College) from POLAR4 Quintile 1 and 2 postcodes at levels 1, 2 and 3 to raise attainment (meeting or exceeding national achievement rates) and provide progression options to internal and external higher education. Xxxx Xxxxxx College, within the group, has a significant representation by Black FE students and is located near POLAR4 Q1 postcodes to the South East of Croydon which aligns well with Access targets. • Internal Progression Events at East Surrey College and Xxxx Xxxxxx College, again with the ability to focus on Access for the above groups. • Internal 1-1 support on researching university level study and UCAS applications, focused on low participation postcode students, XXXX students and students with disabilities. • Provision of information advice and guidance, with particular reference to financial support (to our Access target group from low participation postcodes), through attendance at open evening events in local schools/colleges/ careers fairs. • Use of links with local schools, and holding of events to attract young families, to raise awareness and provide aspiration and attainment raising activities. • Partnership with Sussex Learning Network and Linking London focused on improving Access for those from POLAR4 Quintiles 1 and 2. • Interview of all HE applicants with flexible admissions policies, including the opportunity to resit GCSE English and/or Maths during Year 1, and ...
Access Measures
