www.le.ac.uk

Widening Participation- the role of universities

Jean BaxterHead of School and College Services

Summary

• What are we doing?

• Why are we doing it?

• How do we know we are doing it well?

• But not necessarily in that order

What is ‘Widening Participation’?

• HEFCE says:

• Our aim is to promote and provide the opportunity of successful participation in higher education to everyone who can benefit from it. This is vital for social justice and economic competitiveness.

Social Exclusion agenda

Education is a powerful transformational experience which promotes:

• Social justice

• Economic strength (individual, local, national, global)

• Physical and mental well-being

Why are the universities involved?

• Long history of partnership in Leicestershire

• Excellence in Cities/P4P/Aimhigher/REACH

• Funding model – OFFA

• Commitment through fee income

• UoL is the most successful top 20 university in terms of social inclusion/WP, achieving high levels of registrations from target groups over a long period of time.

Data used to identify target groups• NS-SEC social groups 4-7

• IMD – Indices of Multiple Deprivation• measures relative deprivation across the country

• POLAR (Participation of Local Areas) • classification of small geographical areas across the UK• maps and data sets showing participation of young people in HE

• Free School Meals• Fischer Family Trust data to schools• Sutton Trust (which describes itself as ‘a do tank’)

Target groups

• Disability• Certain Ethnic groups• Children in Care/Care Leavers• No family history of HE• Low income (Free School Meals)• Mature students

The education gapAchievement at GCSE - % of pupils attaining ‘the basics’ of 5

GCSEs A*-C including Maths + English:

• 98-100% - Independent and ‘best’ State schools

• 60.2% - the national average for state-funded schools

• 68% - highest for Leicester City (only 3 city schools above national average)

• 24%- lowest for Leicester City

• 15% - national rate of achievement for Children in Care

What this means for individuals

• Achievement depends on where you live rather than your ability

• Failure at GCSE at 16 impacts on life chances

• Low aspirations at home and in school = low attainment

• Poor progression advice

• Failure to progress to FE – NEET population

• HE not on even on the menu for many

University’s engagement with schools• Cross sector, including primary

• Core Widening Participation activitiesOn campus: University Experience Days, Masterclasses, Summer Schools, Primary outreach In schools: Goal setting, Students in Classrooms

• Students in Classrooms, ITT placements, Volunteering, College Network

• REACH Partnership - HEI Collaboration (Aimhigher)

• Departmental relationships/outreach

• Projects (GENIE, Botanic Garden, Medreach, EMRIL, Number Coaches)

• Realising Opportunities/LEAP Compact scheme

• Engaging with Teachers and other professionals

How do we know we are doing it well?

• Evaluation, tracking and monitoring

• East Midlands shared data partnership

• Reporting to OFFA

• Internal reporting – Corporate Social Responsibility

Wide ranging benefits

• Schools

• Pupils

• Students

• Community

• University

lac23@le.ac.uk

http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/scs