January 2006/02
Special initiative
Guide

Revised plans for 2006-08 to be submitted by 31 March 2006
 

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Aimhigher: guidance for submitting strategic plans 2006-08

This document provides guidance for Aimhigher practitioners at local and regional level on the funding arrangements and management of the programme from 2006-08, and asks Aimhigher partnerships to submit revised strategic plans for this period. It supplements the guidance issued in January 2004 (HEFCE 2004/08).

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To:	Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions Heads of HEFCE-funded further education colleges Chairs of Aimhigher partnerships (areas and regions)
Of interest to those responsible for:	Widening participation, Learning and teaching, Strategic and corporate planning
Reference:	2006/02
Publication date:	January 2006
Enquiries to:	aimhigher@hefce.ac.uk

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Executive summary (read on-line)

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Contents

• Executive summary
• Purpose of this guidance
• Vision for the future of Aimhigher
• Managing Aimhigher partnerships 2006-08
• Context for planning with principal partners
• Target learner groups
• Funding
• Submission of strategic plans for 2006-08
• Updating partnerships
  • Aimhigher healthcare strand
  • Summer schools part-funded by the ESF
• Communications strategy
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Support for Aimhigher partnerships
• Key planning milestones

Annexes

• Annex A: Membership of Aimhigher management structures
• Annex B: Indicative funds available for Aimhigher 2006-07 and 2007-08
• Annex C: Lifelong Learning Networks
• Annex D: Summer schools 2006-08

List of abbreviations

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Executive summary

Purpose

1.    The Aimhigher programme is a key component of government policy to widen and thereby increase participation in higher education. This document provides guidance for Aimhigher practitioners at local and regional level on the funding arrangements and management of the programme from 2006-08, and asks Aimhigher partnerships to submit revised strategic plans for this period. It supplements the guidance issued in January 2004 (HEFCE 2004/08).

Key points

2.    The aims, objectives and outcomes for the Aimhigher programme set out in HEFCE 2004/08 remain unchanged. Aimhigher will continue to direct activity towards groups of learners that are under-represented in higher education. Priority target groups continue to be young people aged 13-19 and adults under 30.

3.    By July 2006 all funding guarantees to the Partnerships for Progression and Excellence Challenge programmes will end. From August 2006 Aimhigher partnerships at area and regional levels will be responsible for the allocation and distribution of funds to all partners.

4.    Area Steering Groups and Regional Forums should review their membership, governance and management arrangements to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are represented.

Action required

5.    Revised Aimhigher plans for 2006-08 are required from partnerships and should be submitted to HEFCE by 31 March 2006. The intention is that all partnerships will demonstrate through their planning and monitoring arrangements that the Aimhigher programme represents value for money and that it is worthy of future investment.