York College

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Yorkshire Universities Annual Conference 2008
Improving Progression to HE An FE College
Principals Perspective
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Dr Alison Birkinshaw

• Worked in FE since 1984
• Deputy Principal Runshaw College (Beacon
  College)
• Ex Principal of Nelson and Colne College
• (Beacon College)
• Current Principal of York College
• Ex graduate of Hull University

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Key Facts

• Student numbers in HE have increased by
  128,760 over past 4 years (7)
• FE/SFC provide 46.5 of entrants to HE
• FTE numbers for HE in FE have fallen (by 6.8)
• Largely due to a reduction in directly funded
  students

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Key Facts

• Increase in Foundation Degrees
• 285 colleges offer HE to 71,766 students
• 51 indirectly funded
• 22 of HE in FE delivered in small numbers/63
  colleges
• QAA identified student assessment and feedback
  as a strength of HE in FE

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Issues surrounding HEFCE policy re HE in FE

• Niche provision lost
• Small provision does not mean poor quality
• Indirectly funded courses may not be viable
• Reductions in HE in FE will impact on progression
• Withdrawal of funding for lower level
  qualifications will reduce progression

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Case Studies

• Student A
• Gifted
• 6 AS at A level, plus special papers
• Cambridge University

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Case Studies

• Student B
• Few qualifications
• Dyslexic
• Two A levels
• HND (in FE)
• Degree top up
• Into employment

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Case Studies

• Student C
• Gifted
• Talented composer
• Good enough to go on to HE
• A grades at A level
• Did not progress, working in a mobile phone shop

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Why?
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Possible reasons
Students now the most examined in history of
education? League tables? Lack of pace with IT
changes? Grant system/charging of fees? Support
for students?
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Purpose of fees?

• To assist students from disadvantagedbackgrounds?
  
• Increased funding for aspiration raising?
• Increased support for part-time HE?
• Increase support for pre-HE study?
• Or just about more money?

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Support for disadvantaged students

• 19 not of funding not allocated
• Bursary system too complicated
• Students dont understand the system
• Doesnt cover costs associated with interviews
• Doesnt reassure re total cost of HE
• Other support systems complicated and over
  bureaucratic

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Increasing adult student progression?

• 75 of adult and HE budget spent on 18-21
  students (HE)
• Limited financial support for adult (part-time)
  HE
• So.
• Use Year 0 option?
• Promote vocational routes?
• Work with employers (credit basis, especially
  graduate level CPD)?

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What is ahead?
Massive amount of change happened Changes ahead
too 11-16 curriculum changes New
diplomas Introduction of IB Seismic changes in
19 funding Extension of education leaving
age Increasing employer and skills focus New
funding methodology
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So what could be our strategy to improve
progression?
Review delivery of HE? Use the IT
revolution? Update colleagues in HE re changes in
FE/schools? Clearer and simpler advice re
financial support? (pre-interview?) Review the
way support is delivered in HE?
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So what could be our strategy to improve
progression?

• New qualifications need to be accepted and
  understood by admissions tutors
• Development of HE qualifications that are
  flexible, workplace delivered
• Promote niche qualifications
• Promote close relationships HE and FE
• Ensure teaching inspires, enthuses for tomorrow
  as well as today

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Yorkshire Universities Annual Conference 2008
Thank you for listening please give me your
views
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