John Rushforth

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Widening participation

• John Rushforth
• Director, Widening Participation

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Strategic objective

• We want everyone to benefit from higher
  education who has the potential to do so

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Expansion of HE

• The economic case is strong
• Social benefits
• Participation in UK is relatively low
• Increasing demand from potential students

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Participation rate is relatively low
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The population of 18 to 21 year-olds will
increase to 2010
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Proportion of 18 year-olds achieving two or more
A-level passes in England
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Social class gap is wide and persistent
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Aimhigher

• Supported by LSC, DfES, HEFCE and DH
• HEIS, FECs, schools and others
• Focus on the sub region
• personal contact/personal experience between
  potential students and world of HE
• mentoring student ambassadors
• HEI visits
• summer schools
• progression

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Recurrent funding

• 265 million to institutions in 2003-04
• 38 million outreach
• 10 million for disabled students
• 61 million part-time
• 156 million for retention
• But all part of a block grant

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Other activity

• Provision of information
• Admissions
• Post-qualification admissions
• Supply progression
• Research

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Future issues

• Regional agenda
• New performance indicators
• Variable fees
• Office for Fair Access

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Conclusions

• Complex area
• Interconnections means partnership
• Long-term issue