Site navigation

Events

See events across the Widening Access & Participation Sector

Please get in touch if you have an event your organisation would like to be promoted on scapp@stir.ac.uk

Connect with Coffee - April 2024

Tuesday 30 April 2024 11am – 12pm

Join us for the fourth Connect with Coffee of 2024.

Come and share any ideas, thoughts, reflections you have on any aspect of WP or any news you have to share with colleagues.

This is an informal networking event  for new and not so new colleagues across the  sector.

Register via the SCAPP Events page.

Please note there will be no Connect with Coffee meeting in April. The next one will take place in June 2024

Register here to join us on the 30 April

SCAPP Seminar Series

Exploring the Impact of a Criminal Record on Access to University in the UK

Charlotte Brooks, Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham

Wednesday 24th April 2024

10am – 11:30am, Online (Teams)

 

Please register your details here to digitally attend this online Seminar.

There is no cost to attend this online session. This will be a live session, and not recorded.

 

About this Session:
Applicants to non-regulated UK degrees are no longer required to disclose criminal records that are unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974), on their university application form. Yet most universities continue to ask applicants to disclose unspent criminal records at a later stage in the admissions process. Despite this, there is a relative silence in the literature about the impact of a criminal record on access to university in the UK.

This workshop draws upon Charlotte’s PhD research which explores the policies and practices of UK universities for applicants with a criminal record.

Format of this seminar:
The session will begin with a talk explaining the policy context around applicants with a criminal record and set-out what typical admissions processes currently look like for people with a criminal record.  This session will highlight some of the challenges applicants with a criminal record could encounter when applying to university and explain the importance of creating fairer admissions practices for people with a criminal record.

The workshop will make practical suggestions about how you, and your institution, can contribute to creating a fairer admissions process for people with criminal records. There will be an opportunity to attend a breakout session to reflect on these suggestions with colleagues. The workshop will conclude with a Q&A session.

Who is this session for?
Widening Access and Participation Practitioners and Managers, those working in Admissions, Policy, Student guidance and Support, or other professionals and Researchers with an interest in this area. Those from universities, colleges, third and public sector, and interested individuals are all welcome. While this information is relevant for colleagues across the UK, this session will focus on the Scottish context.

About the SCAPP Seminar Series:
The SCAPP Seminar Series intends to help bridge the gap between research and practice in Widening Participation work. We work collaboratively with academics to bring research pertinent to WA & WP practitioners for discussion, debate, analysis and reflection. In each seminar an academic is invited to present examples of their own recent, relevant research, allowing time for discussion and Q&As with practitioners.

If you have any questions please email scapp@stir.ac.uk

SCAPP - Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice

Delivered by CDN (College Development Network)

Tuesday 7 May, 10am – 11:30am (online)

This online workshop, delivered by CDN’s Dr Paula Christie, is an Introduction to Trauma Informed Practice. Drawing on CDN’s Trauma Informed Colleges Programme which has been developed to build and support positive outcomes in key areas such as recruitment, retention, attainment, and progression.

It explores the ways in which a ‘whole institution’ and ‘trauma informed’ approach can support learners, staff, communities and partnerships.

 

The session will:

  • Provide context for the programme rationale through an overview of recent research outputs from CDN.
  • Explore what is meant by ‘trauma’ and reflect on how trauma presents within an education setting.
  • Consider various scenarios and ways of embedding consistent trauma informed practice across institutions.
  • Signpost to further training and development opportunities to build further understanding of Trauma Informed Practice.

 

Who is this for?

SCAPP Members from across the whole tertiary sector (including schools, colleges, universities and voluntary organisations) in all levels of WA/WP practice, teaching or leadership.

Please note: This webinar is free for Paid SCAPP Members to attend, but will incur a £15 for each attendee from a NonPaid SCAPP Member/Organisation.

You can check if you are a Paid Organisational Member, here: https://www.fairaccess.scot/members-and-partners/

Register to attend the webinar, here.

 

About CDN’s Trauma Informed Practice Programme

In 2023-24 CDN launched an ambitious programme aimed at facilitating the creation of a trauma informed culture in every college in Scotland. The programme utilised learning from the CDN Research and Enhancement Centre’s recent Pathways from Poverty research and at its heart aims to tackle educational disadvantage by supporting all learners, including those who have lived experience of poverty and trauma, to succeed.

Reimagining Transitions: Conference Outcomes

Reimagining Transitions: Conference Outcomes
Articulation Matters event 

The Articulation Matters network will be hosting a short event on Wednesday 8th May 2024,  4pm – 5pm

This will be of interest to colleagues involved in any aspect of articulation work across the sector.

Following on from their well attended workshop at the SCAPP conference in 2023, as promised the presenters will deliver a session on the feedback from the conference workshop and the themes identified.  We will discuss opportunities for institutions to work together to ensure all students are supported on their articulation journey. There will be a call to action to see if there is interest in collaboration across the sector to ensure learners have the same high quality information, advice and guidance, regardless of their location in Scotland

Register here for the event

Action Planning for sanctuary: Monday 13th May 2024 2pm - 3.30 pm

Action planning for sanctuary:

Humanitarian support for refugees and people seeking asylum at the University of Dundee

Monday 13 May 2024, 2pm-3.30pm, on Teams

SCAPP and Universities of Sanctuary are delighted to host this forthcoming event.

University of Dundee was recognised as a University of Sanctuary in 2022, joining a network of institutions across the UK working to develop support for those displaced by humanitarian crises. One of the conditions of the sanctuary award is a three year action plan, which has been a particular area of focus at Dundee over the last few months.

In this online session, Kim Dale, Vice Principal international and Chair of the Humanitarian Oversight Board, will share the process of developing the University’s 3 year Sanctuary action plan, lessons learned along the way, as well as the ambitions of the university’s Humanitarian Oversight Board.

We hope to bring together practitioners across the HE sector in Scotland and beyond, who are considering applying for or renewing their University of Sanctuary Award, as well as other professionals interested in improving refugees’ access to higher education.

Register here for the event

European Access Network Conference, in collaboration with SCAPP

11-12 June 2024 – Abertay University, Dundee

New Beginnings for European Access – Designing Equity, Transitions and Student Success, and is focused on preparation, diversity and partnerships.

Conference registrations are open and SCAPP have secured a 20% discount for Paid SCAPP Members to attend the conference. Please note there are a limited number of tickets available on the 2-day delegate rate, and this discount is available on a first-come-first served basis. Once this discounted ticket allocation is exhausted, the standard rates will apply.

Conference fees include a delegate pack, attendance at all of the day sessions (for the day/s of the booking), refreshments, lunch and the evening activity (Welcome Reception on Tuesday or end of Conference Celebration on the Wednesday).

Book your place at the EAN Conference, here.
Please note that all delegates must be registered individually, and Abertay University can only accept card payment.

The Conference Programme should be ready week beginning 15th April 2024.

Presenters are also required to register and pay to attend by 29th March 2024. They may wish to note the key dates here.

Read all details about the conference at https://ean.abertay.ac.uk/
Please contact scapp@stir.ac.uk with any questions.

Refugee Festival Scotland 2024

RISE in multiple languages

Refugee Festival Scotland 2024 will run from 14th-23rd June!  The theme for this new festival edition is RISE.  

Thousands of people arrive in Scotland every year after being forced to abandon their homes and flee to safety. We see individuals rise every day to build new lives and pursue new livelihoods, despite facing many challenges and deep uncertainty. Packed with unique events and exceptional talent, the festival honours the resilience and courage of New Scots and celebrates a vision for a Scotland where everyone can blossom and has equal opportunity to thrive.   

This festival coincides with Refugee Week 2024, which runs 17th – 23rd June and has the theme ‘Our Home’. You can read about Refugee Week here.

Read more about Refugee Festival Scotland here.

SCQF Upcoming Workshops

Please see below for upcoming SCQF Workshops:

SCQF for Employers Online Workshop – 25 April

Would you Credit it Online Workshop – 22 May

My Skills, My Future In-person Workshop – 30 May

Read more and book a place on the SCQF Events Website.

SCQF School Ambassador Programme

SCQF SCHOOL AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME

The SCQF School Ambassador programme offers schools the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of the SCQF and the wider ways in which it supports learners such as recognising wider achievement, developing Senior Phase learning pathways in line with the Developing the Young Workforce strategy and giving equality between vocational and academic qualifications.

There are already 50 schools involved and SCQF are keen to include more schools to participate.

Benefits include:

  • Free training with school staff to raise awareness of the SCQF and the School Ambassador programme
  • Access to a set of practical resources to help deliver in house training for pupils, parents and staff. As with many great Ambassador programmes, Pupil Ambassadors are the key. We’ll give you the tools to deliver training sessions with them so they can help raise awareness and use their creativity to engage parents and their peers.
  • Essential resources to help everyone involved in the school community understand the SCQF and how it can be used to develop learner pathways.
  • Share ideas and best practice with over 200+ schools in Scotland covering subject pathways, understanding qualifications and recognising personal achievement.
  • Regular support and engagement and showcasing of what’s working well with your school.
  • Attend SCQF best practice events and projects.
  • Progress through SCQF  recognition programme, showcasing the great work you’re doing but also get the recognition you deserve!
  • Take part in SCQF competitions through our social media.

Colleagues are asked to share information about this scheme amongst their networks

 

See SCQF  School Ambassador Programme for more info