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Widening Participation. Chris Derbyshire - Widening Participation Schools and Colleges Partnership Coordinator. Supporting young people into Higher Education . What is widening participation?. Some groups are under-represented at university and widening participation seeks to address this
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Widening Participation Chris Derbyshire - Widening Participation Schools and Colleges Partnership Coordinator Supporting young people into Higher Education
What is widening participation? • Some groups are under-represented at university and widening participation seeks to address this • Under represented groups include: • Low participation neighbourhoods • Lower income families • First generation university students • Looked after young people • Young carers • Disabilities or learning difficulties • And others...
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 • Support is designed to help with: • Informed choices • Developing skills and raising attainment • Motivation and personal development
Widening participation schemes • Before students arrive • Subject activities and events at university • Opportunities to visit university campuses and meet current students • Support in making a strong UCAS application • 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
Who is eligible? Eligibility criteria differs for each university The college helps to identify appropriate students Criteria include: • 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 • Low participation neighbourhoods • Other circumstances
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 • Interview preparation • Support for parents
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 • We encourage students to benefit from as many opportunities as possible