The Proposed Model for 2014 Implementation Sandra Stalker 8 November 2012

1. The Proposed Model for 2014 ImplementationSandra Stalker 8 November 2012

2. The story so far • Jan – March 2012: consultation • May: Findings and Recommendations Report – further dialogue needed • June: applicant survey • 14 June: policy announcement by Westminster Government • June – July: visits to School Direct providers • 6 September: meeting of GTTR Advisory Board, to agree on model to be submitted to the UCAS Board for approval • 17 September: meeting with members and other stakeholders • 21 September: UCAS Board endorsed proposals

3. Strong support for a single application system • For applicants a single process would: • Be more transparent and less confusing • Negate the need to familiarise themselves with, or complete, multiple applications • Give them more control over the process • Give them a more positive experience

4. Strong support for a single application system • For providers a centralised process would: • Provide better data on applications and applications; better market intelligence • Enable them to manage tightly regulated numbers in a more efficient way • Improve information and guidance for applicants leading to more appropriate applications • Provider greater certainties • Different routes would have equal profile and status

5. A shared service for the UK • England • Introduction and planned expansion of School Direct • Replacement of GTP with School Direct salaried • Change to allocations for HE/SCITT-based providers • Wales • HE-based as part of GTTR • GTP with direct admissions

6. A shared service for the UK • Scotland • PGDE the sole route • Northern Ireland • No current providers are members of GTTR

7. Problems to solve • Initial choices across all routesat the same time through one system • Reduction of time delay resulting from sequential applications; 50% of rejected first choice applicants to GTTR are not getting the chance to be considered by their second choice provider

8. Challenges to face • To meet the needs of a diverse range of applicants • To be manageable and cost effective for providers of all types • To meet the needs of different policy environments in England, Wales, Scotland and potentially Northern Ireland • To incorporate effectively School Direct providers in England whose context is different from larger HE/SCITT-based providers • Meet the policy imperative from Westminster Government and the drive from applicant surveys to allow some applications to be made in parallel

9. Implications of no change • For applicants: • Continued issues with multiple systems and processes • Flexibility to hold multiple offers from various ITT routes

10. Implications of no change • For providers: • Worsening data on applicants and applications as School Direct increases in scale • Worsening market intelligence • An increase in the challenge of managing tightly regulated numbers • Different routes would continue to be promoted through different sites which do not communicate with each other

11. The plan • To introduce for the 2013-2014 cycle a single admissions system for HE/SCITT-based postgraduate ITT, School Direct and School Direct (Salaried), which allows applicants three parallel choices in the first instance followed, if necessary, by an unlimited number of sequential choices.

12. 2013 2014 Allocations Announced (England) Allocations Announced (Wales) EXAMS END RESULTS Allocations Announced (Scotland) APPLICATIONPOST RESULTS RESEARCH PHASE Single Online Information Portal to provide information to applicants about the routes into teaching including student support information to allow them to make informed decisions. Applicants to sit literacy and numeracy tests where applicable, passing prior to starting the course in England and during the course in Scotland. Applicants can search for course information online to check course availability, new courses, entry requirements, partner schools etc. Development of personal statements and references. Apply 1 Apply 1 is open from 1 November and allows applicants to apply in parallel through a common application portal and single online application. There is no set deadline which allows providers to advertise places as they are made aware of their allocations. Providers will need to take into account the strict deadlines for decisions and applicant replies when deciding the dates to open their courses for applications. Providers will be able to open and close courses throughout the year to control the number of applications they receive and this flexibility will assist in recruitment for multiple start dates. Apply 1 Timescales - Main Cycle 40 working day decision SLA (to be consulted on) 10 working days for Applicants Apply 2 Apply 2 opens at the start of January and allows candidates who have not secured a place using Apply 1 to apply, sequentially, to any course that has vacancies. Entry into Apply 2 is dependent on individual circumstances so applicants would enter this at different times. Apply 2 Timescales - Main Cycle 40 working day decision SLA (to be consulted on) 10 working days for Applicants Enrol Enrolment Start of term – varies by course and provider DRAFT VERSION – High Level View

13. Features of the model • A single, comprehensive and comprehensible information portal, giving applicants all the information they require to make informed applications • Two Apply windows: Apply 1 and Apply 2 • Apply 1 - parallel choices: Apply 2 - sequential choices • Apply 1 proposed to open 1 November; providers decide when to open courses • Courses to remain open for an essential SLA period and closed at the provider’s discretion

14. Features of the model • 40 working day turnaround period proposed for responses; there will be no stops • 10 working day response time for applicants to start from when they have decisions form all three initial choices • Applicants to accept one place only; the others must be rejected • Applicants holding a place who wish to make a new application must first secure release from provider • Apply 2 to open early January: applicant to enter when rejected by initial choices • Apply 2 remains open until September of year of entry

15. Three parallel choices: benefits • Is straightforward and easy for applicants to understand and providers to administer • Allows eligible applicants to apply for one-each of HE/SCITT-based, School Direct and School Direct (salaried) • Gives applicants sufficient choice: this is particularly relevant for School Direct choices where the number of available places may be small • Addresses the current unfairness of failed first-choice applicants in the GTTR system not getting a chance to be considered by their second choice

16. Three parallel choices: benefits • Gives equal status to all available routes; there is no bias in selection options for applicants • Avoids the need to specify different arrangements in Wales, Scotland and potentially N. Ireland, where the policy issues are different • Should be agile enough to accommodate any future changes in policy • Providers will have access to more applicants in the first instance so should be able to fill their places more quickly • Some providers will have better quality applicants in the first instance so will be able to fill their places more effectively

17. Three parallel choices: concerns • Increased workload for providers; however although this will be true in the early part of the cycle, it may not increase overall (and may decrease) because of places being filled earlier in the cycle • Greater complexity in managing numbers; however this will be offset by: • the commitment of the TA to make allocations to all routes available at the same time • the removal of the facility for applicants holding a place in one route to make applications to another route later in the cycle.

18. Issues for discussion • 1 November opening date: is this the date that is fairest to applicants and most manageable for providers? • The 40 working-day turnaround period for providers: will this be acceptable for applicants and doable for providers? • An SLA for the amount of time courses must be kept open: is the concept workable and if so how long should it be? • The start date for Apply 2: does early January give the right amount of distance between the opening of Apply 1 and Apply 2? • Parallel applications: what provider issues should UCAS be mindful of when setting up the systems?

19. Questions