Widening Participation

1. Widening Participation Gino Graziano Widening Participation Manager Supporting young people into Higher Education

2. Tonight we will look at: • What is widening participation (WP) • What support is available • WP schemes at local universities

3. What is widening participation? • Some groups are under-represented at university and widening participation seeks to address this: • State schools • Low participation neighbourhoods • Lower income • Looked after young people • Disabilities or learning difficulties • And others...

4. What is widening participation? • Schools, colleges and universities need to work together • Particularly important since the introduction of £9000 tuition fees • Universities have to demonstrate they have measures in place to support fair access and support students at university

5. Widening participation schemes • Before students arrive • Outreach activities • At university • Financial support if family income is below £25,000 • Additional support for students who fulfil WP criteria • Opportunity to work as a WP Ambassador • Post university • Support with careers for 3+ years after graduation

6. Who is eligible? • Low participation neighbourhoods • First in immediate family to go to university - does not include brothers / sisters • Looked after young people • Carers • Income related – FSM / college bursary • Disability or learning difficulty • Other circumstances • We work with the college to identify appropriate students

7. What support is available? • Programme of activities begins at primary school (year 6) through to higher education • Informed choices • Developing skills and raising attainment • Motivation and personal development

8. Activities • Campus visits • Subject tasters and conferences • Summer schools - residential/non-residential • Student shadowing • E-mentoring • Study skills • Visits to college – talks by students and WP staff • Personal statement support • Mock interviews • Support for parents • Staff links with the college

9. Support for local students • All universities provide WP support • Local support in Sussex • University of Brighton - Compact Plus • University of Chichester – Learner Progression Framework • University of Sussex – First Generation Scholars • Materials available for you to take away tonight on all three schemes • We encourage students to benefit from as many opportunities as possible

10. University of Brighton – Compact Plus • Compact • Support for all students in Sussex • Access to lectures, visits, IAG workshops • Guaranteed interview or offer for certain courses at the UoB • Compact Plus • Additional support for WP students • Access to the full programme of activities including subject-specific and one-to-one support • Bursary for students with family income under £25,000 • Funded by additional fee income

11. University of Brighton – Compact Plus • Students complete an application form • Parental permission required if under-18 • Return form to college • UoB confirms eligibility • Compact Plus students receive regular emails and newsletters • Students can book onto the activities they are interested in direct

12. Compact Plus – student feedback Civil Rights lecture and seminar “Really enjoyed the opportunity and has helped me in current studies and future decisions”. Media taster day “I really enjoyed working in a proper studio”. Healthcare conference “Really enjoyed it and has helped me make my career decision”. Student shadowing “I found it useful having a student guide who was ‘down to earth’. It was easy to approach her and she could answer any of my questions”.

13. Any questions? • University of Brighton – compactplus@brighton.ac.uk • University of Chichester – l.holder@chi.ac.uk • University of Sussex – participate@sussex.ac.uk