HEFCE Report 99/07Widening participation: special funding programme 1998-99
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To |
Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions |
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Of interest to those responsible for |
Collaboration, Access, Funding and Finance |
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Reference |
99/07 |
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Publication date |
February 1999 |
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Enquiries to |
Yvonne Perry tel 0117 931 7233 |
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Executive summary
Purpose
- This publication sets out our allocation of funding for the widening participation special funding programme for 1998-99.
Key points
- In anticipation of the development of a longer term strategy to encourage wider participation in higher education, we made available £1.5 million of special funding to build partnerships and help lay the foundations for effective institutional strategies in the future.
- HEFCE 98/35 invited HEFCE-funded higher education institutions to bid for funds in their region. The outcomes of this process are listed in Annex B.
Action required
- No action is required.
Background
- Since our establishment we have been committed to widening participation in higher education. More recently, in the light of the emphasis given to this aim in the Dearing report and the Government's lifelong learning policy, it has become a major priority.
- The HEFCE's standing committee on Equal Opportunities, Access and Lifelong Learning (EQUALL) is advising us on the development of a longer term funding strategy to encourage wider participation in HE. In anticipation of this, we allocated £1.5 million of special funding to build partnerships, and to help lay the foundations for effective institutional strategies in the future, initiating activities for development in 1999-2000 and beyond.
- The available funding was divided among the ten regions according to need. Need was measured by the number of young people (under 25) from poor neighbourhoods in each region who do not enter higher education. This definition draws upon research by the HEFCE's Statistical Unit, which describes students' backgrounds by neighbourhood type. The initiative, however, was aimed at all age groups. The amount of funding for each region is shown in Annex A.
- HEFCE 98/35 invited HEFCE-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) to bid for funds in their region. All bids had to satisfy the following national criteria:
- meet a regional need
- promote longer term commitment to widening participation
- develop synergy with other funding sources and partnerships.
- In addition, regional priorities were to be developed through a series of regional seminars. The invitation to bid emphasised the importance of partnerships and collaboration to develop either a single, combined proposal or a suite of collaborative proposals.
- During July 1998, we held a seminar in each of the ten regions, to review current practice and develop ways forward. Seminars were chaired by an HEFCE Regional Consultant. Over 500 delegates attended, including representatives from Regional Government Offices, Training and Enterprise Councils, the Further Education Funding Council, the Department for Education and Employment, HEIs and a number of further education colleges. HEIs were encouraged to collaborate among themselves and with other organisations to develop proposals.
Assessment of bids
- Small groups were set up in each region to act as regional advisory networks (RANs). Members of the networks also attended the seminars.
- The RANs ensured that the bids recommended for funding involved partnerships between HE providers in the region, and, in many cases, collaboration with other community organisations.
Outcomes
- We are supporting a total of 25 proposals. A list of the successful projects is at Annex B, with a brief description of the work and a contact name for further information.
- In four regions - the South-West, Merseyside, the North- East, and Yorkshire and Humberside - all the HEIs have collaborated to produce a single project to address their main regional priority.
- The South-West region is to look at barriers to participation in HE and to design a strategy to overcome these.
- In Merseyside, the collaborative 'Aim Higher' programme will work through schools and the youth service, and with the Government's New Start programme, to identify barriers to access.
- The North- East is to map existing participation and practice in widening participation to help develop an overall regional strategy.
- Yorkshire and Humberside aims to bring together sub-regional partnerships to produce a region-led strategy for widening participation.
- In the other regions, the RANs recommended support for a small number of bids. Most focus on working through collaborative networks at sub-regional level to collect data on participation and develop a strategy targeted at local needs. In addition, a few bids address widening participation for particular under-privileged groups. For example, a London partnership will concentrate on participation in the Government's Education Action Zones; a project in the South- East will focus on adult learners; and in the West Midlands a group will work on improving participation among Muslim women.
Monitoring
- In all cases the work will be monitored by the HEFCE Regional Consultant, either as part of the steering group for a project or in conjunction with the RAN.
- A report on the outcomes of the projects will be available early in 2000.
Annex A
Regional distribution of funds 1998-99
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Region |
£ |
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Eastern |
96,000 |
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London |
195,000 |
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Merseyside |
86,000 |
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East Midlands |
126,000 |
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West Midlands |
206,000 |
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North-East |
156,000 |
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North-West |
212,000 |
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South-East |
117,000 |
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South-West |
96,000 |
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Yorkshire and Humberside |
210,000 |
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Total |
£1.5 million |
Annex B
Eastern Regional allocation £96,000
Title
Participation patterns in higher education in the East of England
Funding
£59,000
Summary
Analyse needs, develop partnerships and build capacity
Consortium
Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge University, University of East Anglia, University of Essex, Homerton College, Norwich School of Art and Design and Writtle College
Lead institution and contact
Professor Chris Green
Anglia Polytechnic University
Victoria Road South
CHELMSFORD
Essex
CM1 1LL
Tel: 01245 493 131
Title
HE participation and progression rates in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Funding
£37,000
Summary
To initiate collaboration between the Universities of Hertfordshire and Luton which will provide accurate information on the participation and progression rates in HE of those currently under-represented because of social exclusion in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, focussing on 18-25 year olds.
Consortium
University of Hertfordshire and University of Luton
Lead institution and contact
Alan Weir
Dean, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane
HATFIELD
Hertfordshire
AL10 9AB
Tel: 01707 285 200
London Regional allocation £195,000
Title
Establishing a collaborative strategic framework for widening participation in the east and north-east of London
Funding
£75,000
Summary
The overall aim is to widen participation in higher education of people from ethnic minorities and lower socio-economic groups. The objectives are:
- to set up a strategic framework for activities designed to combat social exclusion and promote work in the community
- to increase collaboration between higher education institutions and with other relevant organisations
- to disseminate and transfer good practice.
Consortium
City University, University of East London, London Guildhall University, University of North London, Open University, Queen Mary and Westfield College and several non-HEI partners
Lead institution and contact
Dr Sue Dunn
Director of Science and Engineering Courses
Queen Mary and Westfield College
Mile End Road
LONDON
E1 4NS
Tel: 0171 775 3339
Title
The south-east London HE participation scheme
Funding
£60,000
Summary
- To develop a sub-regional partnership
- To provide an infrastructure to facilitate higher education participation from non-participating communities across south east London
- To develop and agree between the scheme partners a higher education participation policy.
Consortium
Goldsmiths College, University of Greenwich, Lambeth College, Lewisham College, London Open College Network, South Bank University, Southwark College, Woolwich College, and various community groups
Lead institution and contact
Andy Masheter
Head of External Relations
South Bank University
103 Borough Road
LONDON
SE1 0AA
Tel: 0171 815 6701
Title
From Education Action Zone to higher education
Funding
£60,000
Summary
To respond to a clear local need and to promote longer-term institutional commitment to widening participation through the establishment of a collaborative, strategic framework, within which future projects to develop educational progression routes would be more effective. The focus is to widen participation for young people and adults from lower socio-economic groups within the newly designated Newham Education Action Zone. This is a geographically distinct and socially isolated area which would enable a concentration of effort for this pilot project.
Consortium
University of East London, London East Guidance Forum, London East TEC, London Guildhall University, Middlesex University, Newham Education Action Zone Forum, Newham Education Business Partnership, North and East London Accreditation Federation, nine colleges and several community organisations
Lead institution and contact
Lynne Chiswick
Head of the Centre for Access, Advice and Continuing Education
University of East London
Romford Road
LONDON
E15 4LZ
Tel: 0181 849 3696
Merseyside Regional allocation £86,000
Title
Aim Higher
Funding
£86,000
Summary
To find ways of listening to young people, and to work with them to identify the barriers which need to be addressed, so that they can progress to higher education.
Consortium
Edge Hill College of Higher Education, University of Liverpool, Liverpool City of Learning, Liverpool Hope, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Youth Services, New Start programme and specified schools and colleges
Lead institution and contact
Tricia Jenkins
Head of Access
University of Liverpool
PO Box 147
Senate House
Abercromby Square
LIVERPOOL
L69 3BX
Tel: 0151 794 5930
East Midlands Regional allocation £126,000
Title
Widening participation to higher education in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
Funding
£40,330
Summary
To develop effective and sustainable ways of encouraging and supporting the participation of students in higher education by working with young people from disadvantaged groups in the age range 13 to 19.
Consortium
De Montfort University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University and other key organisations
Lead institution and contact
Ms Janet Graham
Head of Admissions and Student Recruitment
University of Leicester
University Road
LEICESTER
LE1 7RH
Tel: 0116 252 2414
Title
Widening participation in rural areas of the East Midlands for second chance learners and employees
Funding
£44,400
Summary
Develop understanding of barriers to participation in HE among second chance learners and employees; build and extend new networks and collaborative relationships between a range of providers, utilising links to various other funding initiatives; develop plans and pilot proposals for widening participation through, for example, learner support centres, peer support networks, advice and guidance, and use of technology.
Consortium
Boston College, De Montfort University, University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, Lincolnshire Training and Enterprise Council, North Lincolnshire College and Open University (East Midlands)
Lead institution and contact
Dr M K Noble
Centre for Lifelong Learning
University of Lincolnshire and Humberside
Cottingham Road
HULL
HU6 7RT
Tel: 0113 233 4785
Title
Strategic planning to widen HE participation in Northamptonshire
Funding
£41,270
Summary
To build on existing collaborative HE partnership activity in order to establish a planned and coherent framework for raising student expectations, and improving progression, attainment and retention rates for under-represented groups.
Consortium
Moulton College, Nene College of Higher Education, Northampton Chamber of Commerce and Northampton College
Lead institution and contact
Dr Marie Stowell
Nene College
Moulton Park
NORTHAMPTON
NN2 7AL
Tel: 01604 735500
West Midlands Regional allocation £206,000
Title
Rural Reachout - widening adult participation in education and training in Herefordshire and surrounding areas
Funding
£24,250
Summary
Establish 'Rural Reachout' as the brand name of a major innovative part-time access programme with community groups and local businesses; to maintain via regular newsletters a steady flow of information about the project; to use the synergy and expertise of the partners to create a sustainable model of access to, and participation in, a full range of education, training and employment opportunities for adults in rural communities; to prepare a report and action plan for a future funding application; to liaise through regular meetings with the neighbouring project in Shropshire so that both projects may benefit from the synergies of different methodologies and be able to offer a wider curriculum in future years.
Consortium
University of Birmingham, University of Central England, Herefordshire Council, Marches Consortium and the Open University (West Midlands)
Lead institution and contact
Dr Nigel Cutress
The Open University
West Midlands Region
66-68 High Street
Harborne
BIRMINGHAM
B17 9NB
Tel: 0121 426 1661 x 6435
Title
New sites of learning: under-representation of Muslim women in HE
Funding
£40,000
Summary
To investigate the demand for single-sex higher education among Muslim women; to develop and pilot programmes which can be provided in single-sex environments within the framework of a 'dynamic curriculum'; design partnership arrangements which will draw upon the opportunities offered by part-time, distance, community-centred methods of provision and modes of delivery, and which sponsor credit transfer between and within the partnership further and higher education institutions.
Consortium
Birmingham Hindu Council, University of Central England, City College Birmingham, East Birmingham College, Golden Hillock Mosque, Hindu Women's Network, Muslim community organisations, Muath Welfare Trust, South Birmingham College and Westhill College
Lead institution and contact
Dr David Davies
Westhill College of Higher Education
Weoley Park Road
Selly Oak
BIRMINGHAM
B29 6LL
Tel: 0121 472 7245
Title
The contribution of student tutoring to widening participation
Funding
£36,000
Summary
To seek evidence for increased progression of pupils to FE and HE after experience of student tutoring, and explore changes that might improve monitoring of, or enhance outcomes of, this activity; to gather examples of successful practice from other widening participation initiatives; to establish the requirements of further outreach activity by piloting a combined programme for widening participation with other partners within an Education Action Zone.
Consortium
Aston University, Birmingham University, Careers Education Business Partnership, University of Central England, Matthew Boulton College of FHE, Newman College and Westhill College
Lead institution and contact
Dr Honor Dixon
Schools and Colleges Liaison
Aston University
Aston Triangle
BIRMINGHAM
B4 7ET
Tel: 0121 359 3611
Title
Meeting a regional need for widening participation: a strategic collaborative approach
Funding
£24,450
Summary
To demonstrate: understanding of the issues affecting adult participation in mass higher education; the regional need for widening participation in HE; effective strategies for widening participation; provision of staff development and a framework for a phase two project.
Consortium
Coventry University, University of Warwick and Worcester College of Higher Education
Lead institution and contact
Professor John Field
Department of Continuing Education
University of Warwick
COVENTRY
Warwickshire
CV4 7AL
Tel: 01203 523835
Title
The Mid and South Shropshire areas - partnerships and delivery mechanisms
Funding
£35,000
Summary
To map the areas of educational deprivation and need; to reinforce multi-agency co-operation in building HE advice, delivery and support mechanisms; to ensure the longer-term viability of such local support systems.
Consortium
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Open University and the University of Wolverhampton
Lead institution and contact
Mr J R Cheeseman
Project Consultant
University of Wolverhampton
The Telford Campus
Priorslee
TELFORD
TF2 9NT
Tel: 01902 323 433
Title
Widening participation in the Black Country
Funding
£46,300
Summary
To establish four linked community projects in the four Black Country boroughs (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall) to develop intellectual capital for disadvantaged communities.
Consortium
Black Country Partnership for Learning and the University of Wolverhampton
Lead institution and contact
Dr N V Wylie
University of Wolverhampton
Wulfruna Street
WOLVERHAMPTON
WV1 1SB
Tel: 01902 323 433
North-East Regional allocation £156,000
Title
Widening participation in the north-east of England
Funding
£156,000
Summary
- Baseline information - establish present scope
- Best practice - identify and disseminate best practice
- Future direction - formulate a conceptual framework and strategy.
Consortium
University of Durham, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Open University (Northern region), University of Sunderland and the University of Teesside
Lead institution
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Contact
Alan Sanderson
HESIN Secretariat
1 Hylton Park
Wessington Way
SUNDERLAND
SR5 3HD
Tel: 0191 516 4403
North-West Regional allocation £212,000
Title
Widening participation in Cheshire: an FE/HE alliance
Funding
£20,000
Summary
To share information and achieve a common understanding of educational under-representation in rural and semi-rural areas; and to create continuous pathways from FE to HE for students from the county of Cheshire.
Consortium
Chester College of Higher Education and the Cheshire Learning Partnership (Career Connections Ltd, CEWTEC, Cheshire County Council, Cheshire Guidance Partnership, Macclesfield College, Mid-Cheshire College, NorMid TEC, Reaseheath College, South and East Cheshire TEC and South Cheshire College)
Lead institution and contact
Dr L G Turton
Dean of Arts and Humanities
Chester College of Higher Education
Parkgate Road
CHESTER
CH1 4BJ
Tel: 01244 392 711
Title
Widening participation throughout Cumbria
Funding
£46,000
Summary
To develop a framework of mutual credit recognition and transfer, based on the nationally agreed framework for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, which will enable students studying at any institution in the county to transfer or be accredited with 'Cumbrian credits' in order to promote flexibility and choice.
Consortium
University of Central Lancashire, Cumbria College of Art and Design, Cumbria LEA, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, St Martin's College, FE colleges and selected schools
Lead institution and contact
Professor David Vaughan
Principal
Cumbria College of Art and Design
Brampton Road
CARLISLE
Cumbria
CA3 9AY
Tel: 01288 400 300
Title
The Lancashire compact for widening participation
Funding
£86,000
Summary
To identify and adopt best practice, develop and evaluate models, and lay the foundations for a county-wide compact for widening participation.
Consortium
University of Central Lancashire, Edge Hill College of Higher Education, Lancaster University and St Martin's College
Lead institution and contact
Rhiannon Evans
Director for Students and External Relations
Edge Hill College of Higher Education
St Helens Road
ORMSKIRK
Lancashire
L39 4QP
Tel: 01695 584 268
Title
Regional participation partnership
Funding
£60,000
Summary
To establish a partnership of higher and further education institutions within a sub-region of the North-West of England. The aim is to develop an information system to identify existing activities contributing to widening participation, with a view to rationalising and prioritising current activity.
Consortium
Bolton Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Open University, University of Salford and UMIST
Lead institution and contact
Brian Allan
Head of Access Development
University of Salford
SALFORD
M5 4WT
Tel: 0161 295 6145
South East Regional allocation £117,000
Title
The access and participation together (APT) project
Funding
£39,000
Summary
To undertake a comprehensive survey of higher education provision, up-take and reasons for non-uptake from under-represented groups across Surrey, North Hampshire and Berkshire; to define principles and practice for a sub-regional progression ACCORD with a coherent and integrated credit framework; to disseminate good practice through staff development and regional seminars thus contributing to institutional policies for widening participation.
Consortium
Farnborough College, North East Surrey College, Reading University, Roehampton Institute, Royal Holloway University of London, St Mary's College, University of Surrey, Surrey Institute of Art and Design, Wimbledon School of Art, 14 colleges of further education, 41 schools and various community organisations
Lead institution and contact
Dr John Horbrough
Educational Liasion Centre
University of Surrey
Stag Hill
GUILDFORD
Surrey
GU2 5XH
Tel: 01483 259 376
Title
Collaboration for widening participation in higher education: a strategy for Oxfordshire
Funding
£39,000
Summary
Investigate the diversity of offer by four Oxford institutions; collaborate with the FE widening participation partnership in Oxfordshire; collect, analyse and monitor data within a regional framework relating to widening participation from non-traditional groups; establish a collaborative and coherent strategy across four institutions; develop local and regional targets for widening participation, and monitor good practice and greater access to higher education for adult learners.
Consortium
Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education, Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council, Open University, University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Oxfordshire Kennedy Further Education Partnership and Westminster College
Lead institution and contact
Jo Cairns
Head of Lifelong Learning
Westminster College
OXFORD
OX2 9AT
Tel: 01865 253 428
Title
Partnerships with purpose
Funding
£39,000
Summary
Funding for a progression network, to be located in the Medway Towns, which will promote wider participation among local people by providing them with an information and brokerage system. It will advise local HE providers on curriculum development and learner-support services, with the aim of encouraging wider participation.
Consortium
Canterbury Christ Church College, University of Greenwich, University of Kent at Canterbury, Kent Institute of Art and Design, Medway Adult Education Service, Medway Council, Mid Kent College of Further and Higher Education, Open College Network Kent and Medway, Open University and the Workers Education Authority
Lead institution and contact
Jennifer Wyatt
Computing Laboratory
University of Kent at Canterbury
CANTERBURY
Kent
CT2 7NZ
Tel: 01227 823 201
South-West Regional allocation £96,000
Title
To examine the conditions preventing access to HE in the south-west and design strategies to widen participation
Funding
£96,000
Summary
Dissemination of good practice, mapping of need, researching barriers to participation, and increasing understanding of the factors likely to help and hinder access and retention.
Consortium
University of Bath, Bath College of Higher Education, Bournemouth University, University of Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, Dartington College of Arts, Open University (South West), University of Plymouth, University of the West of England
Lead institution and contact
Dr Ian Tunbridge
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
PLYMOUTH
PL4 8AA
Tel: 01752 232 334
Yorkshire and Humberside Regional allocation £210,000
Title
To bring together sub-regional partnerships to produce a region-led strategy
Funding
£210,000
Summary
To bring together the work of sub-regional partnerships in Yorkshire and Humberside (subject of separate bids), to produce a regional-led strategy and set up a communications and monitoring framework.
Consortium
An over-arching bid from the Yorkshire and Humberside Universities Association, with three sub-regional strands: North Yorkshire and Humberside (University of Hull, University of Lincolnshire and Humberside, North Riding College, Open University, College of Ripon and York St John, and University of York); South Yorkshire (Bretton Hall, Open University, University of Sheffield, and Sheffield Hallam University); West Yorkshire (University of Bradford, University of Huddersfield, University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Open University, and Trinity and All Saints College)
Lead institution and contact
Professor Dick Taylor
School of Continuing Education
University of Leeds
LEEDS
LS2 9JT
Tel: 0113 233 180