The National Coordination Team for Widening Participation

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• The National Co-ordination Team for Widening
  Participation

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Action on Access WPSA Meta-Analysis

• John Storan, Director, Action on Access
• Liz Thomas, Action on Access
• Viv Wylie, Action on Access
• Karina Berzins, Action on Access

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Introduction BackgroundOur Role

• Develop a meta-analysis of WPSAs submitted.
• Identify and highlight emerging issues and
  trends.
• Feedback and dissemination.

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Introduction BackgroundMS Programme

• Mainstreaming Sustaining workshop based
  programme - Jan 08/Sept 08
• 16 cross sector teams from HEIs and FECs.
• Review, Identify, Develop.
• One output was a live policy paper.
• Programme learning fed into WPSA policy
  development.

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Methodology

• Three phase approach
• Phase 1 - Content analysis
• Setting up software (Nvivo)
• Developing a coding framework
• Applying coding and running thematic reports

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Methodology

• Phase 2 - Meta-analysis
• Analytical review of coded data
• Identification of emergent trends and issues
• Headline feedback
• Phase 3 - Reports and feedback
• Integration of strand reports
• Preparation of first briefing report
• Publication and dissemination of briefing paper

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StrategyPreliminary Headlines

• Mainstreaming and embedding of WP features
  strongly.
• Staff engagement and capacity building for WP an
  important emphasis.
• Whole institution responsibility for WP with
  management lines and remit explicit.
• Extensive collection of and commentary on
  external and internal data.
• The value and significance of Aimhigher
  partnership working features strongly.

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StrategyPreliminary Headlines

• Part-time provision has a strong presence.
• Deep penetration of cross institutional
  understanding of WP in mission statements and
  corporate plans.
• Definitions of WP operationally related.
• Extensive cross-referencing between WPSA and
  other policies/strategies. E.g. admissions,
  learning and teaching, equality and diversity.

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ActivitiesPreliminary Headlines

• Concentration of activities at early lifecycle
  stages.
• Highly referred target groups were
• Disabled students
• BME groups
• Gifted and talented

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ActivitiesPreliminary Headlines

• HEIs have developed links with schools and
  colleges, and these are developing with Academy
  and Trust schools.
• Positive intentions to work on 14-19 curriculum,
  rather than in progress now.
• HEIs identify regeneration in local communities
  as an aspect of their WP mission.

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ActivitiesPreliminary Headlines

• Strong commitment to student retention and
  success with a range of associated definitions.
• Learning and teaching referred to retention
  rather than WP.

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MeasuresPreliminary Headlines

• No major changes planned - incremental
  development.
• HESA benchmarks are a principle measure.
• Some sub-groups are targeted discretely.
• Analysis of intake data (UCAS).

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MeasuresPreliminary Headlines

• Development of evidence base for strategies and
  actions ongoing.
• Aimhigher partnership impacting in relation to
• Outreach co-ordination
• Targeting
• Knowledge exchange

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Next Phase

• Preparation of briefing papers.
• Support for further institutional development of
  WPSAs.
• Sharing examples of effective practice.
• Developing the evidential base.

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Thank You Contact j.storan_at_uel.ac.uk