Widening Participation in HE in FE Context

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Widening Participation in HE in FE Context

• Gill Alton Vice Principal
• Ellen Thinnesen Director or HE Quality

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ContentHow to grow provisionHow to retain
widening participation students
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Context of Grimsby

• Low educational attainment pre 16
• Low proportion of working population qualified to
  level 4 (12.7 compared to the national average
  of 23)
• Significant pockets of social deprivation
• 19.5 WP uplift
• An hour to nearest HEI

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• 06/07 865 FTEs
• 07/08 965 FTEs
• 08/09 1191 FTEs

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Strategies StaffingCommitment to underpin growth
via

• Different terms and conditions (but not pay)
• Infrastructure to support growth
• HE undergraduate office
• HE co-ordinators
• Director of Quality HE
• Senior Manager with responsibility for HE
• Support for research and scholarly activities

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(No Transcript)
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Strategies - Curriculum

• Level 3 progression
• Bite-sized
• Stakeholder engagement
• Support from the big players
• Bullish offers
• Year 0 programmes
• Full progression to Masters
• Transport
• Remote delivery

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How to retain WP students
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Strategies student voice

• Student reps
• Student Ambassadors
• Student Reviewers
• Student study buddy
• Student sub committee

• ? Developed over time

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Strategies Study Support

• Screening at enrolment
• Dedicated Learning Advisors
• Prompt DSA applications
• Wide range of specialist support
• Dyslexia, Visually Impaired, Hearing impaired

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Strategies Student Support

• Skills audit identify deficiencies
• Identification of students at risk
• Study skills support e.g. powerpoint training

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Strategies Assessment practice

• Formative assessment
• Constructive and timely feedback
• Study skills early in programme
• Module handbooks
• Module evaluation questionnaires to inform and
  improve practice
• Scheduling of assignments

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Conclusion

• Improved retention
• Strong argument for HEFCE funding for new build
• Good student satisfaction NSS
• Local confidence in provision
• Ability to build infrastructure (staffing and
  resources)
• IQER/Developmental Engagement