Links between higher education institutions, schools, colleges and academies

Recent evidence, including the recommendations of the National Council for Educational Excellence, highlights links between schools and higher education (HE) as integral to widening participation.

Grant programme

In response, we funded a grant programme to research, develop and evaluate institutional practice relating to these links.

We funded eleven higher education institutions as part of the grants programme. Ten of these have now submitted their final reports.

These reports:

show that many institutions have developed coherent partnerships that encourage the progression of students into further and higher education
show that a range of different links and partnerships exist
have raised some relevant questions and recommendations for the future.

We also expect that these reports will offer examples of local good practice for institutions looking to enhance their partnership working.

In light of the changing economic and political context, a second stage of the programme will no longer take place.

For further information, please contact Nick Dibley, e-mail n.dibley@hefce.ac.uk, tel. 0117 931 7414.

Last updated 15 July 2010