Morning, Thursday, 28th November 2024
Online
This conference will consider next steps for widening higher education access and participation in the UK, and strategies for improving outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
It will be a timely opportunity to examine the new Government’s commitments to raise education standards, introduce a post-16 strategy, and establish Skills England with the aim of bringing together business and education providers to improve skills provision.
Stakeholders and policymakers will assess progress on implementing updated access and participation plans (APPs) mandated by the Office for Students. Areas for discussion include the processes involved, along with challenges and best practice for HEIs meeting requirements, issues around reducing administrative burden, and defining and monitoring the success of strategies.
We expect discussion to bring out best practice and latest strategies for student recruitment, selection, admission and onboarding, looking at increasing diversity and attracting underrepresented groups to higher education, with recent statistics following A-level results day showing that regional disparities in England still exist despite a record-high number of students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds gaining places at university. Delegates will also consider strategies for tackling financial barriers and drop-out rates, and better supporting students to achieve their potential.
It will also be an opportunity to discuss the implementation of requirements for sector-agreed quality practice outlined in QAA’s recently published Quality Code for Higher Education.
Priorities for HEI collaboration with FE and schools will be discussed, alongside strategies for improving study and careers guidance and support for students. We expect discussion on the future of technical and vocational routes, including proposals from the Government for a Growth and Skills Levy.
The agenda also looks at the way forward for aligning participation strategies with skills needs. Sessions will consider access to non-traditional options, including degree apprenticeships and upskilling. Delegates will also discuss opportunities for mature learners and the future of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, along with improved provision of part-time, distanced and flexible courses.
Discussion is also expected to draw on UUK’s recent Opportunity, growth and partnership: a blueprint for change report calling for a system-wide effort to increase access and improve student progression into the labour market. delegates will consider recommendations such as a tertiary education opportunity fund, action by universities and government to increase teacher supply, and reinstating maintenance grants for students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Ben Jordan, Director, Strategy, UCAS; Dr Rachel Carr, CEO, IntoUniversity; Dr Omar Khan, CEO, TASO; and Dr Andrew Ross, Head, Widening Access and Participation, University of Bath.
Sessions in the agenda include:
- access and participation in HE: assessing the current landscape and next steps
- APPs: examining the process of developing access and participation plans, and optimising their utility
- addressing barriers: achieving positive outcomes for students - tackling drop-out rates - diversifying student intake - addressing student financial burdens - support into the job market
- collaboration with FE and schools: student information, guidance and support - technical and vocational routes - improving relationships and developing whole-system approaches
- expanding and diversifying routes into HE: new skills and employment policy - meeting local needs - upskilling - mature learners - flexible provision - non-traditional options - LLE rollout
- priorities: improving access to higher education moving forward
All delegates will be able to contribute, alongside key policy officials, to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those due to attend include officials from DfE; Department for the Economy, NI; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government
