Publications
CDN have published a new report Pathways from Poverty – Colleges for Communities which was prepared by Dr Paula Christie and Dr Erica O’Neill for CDN’s Research and Enhancement Centre.
Building on CDN’s Pathways from Poverty in March 2022, which published evidence from a two-year national sector inquiry into the role of colleges in addressing the poverty crisis in Scotland, this most recent report aims to promote and encourage the work of colleges in tackling poverty with case studies which highlight best practice in the college sector.
The report highlights five key themes as potential areas for the development of future practice in colleges:
• Creating safe spaces
• Working in partnership
• Direct action on poverty
• Supporting Transitions
• Sustainability
Find out more and access the report here
Higher Education Provision in Scotland’s Colleges – A Future shaped by new levels of cross-institutional collaboration?
A new research report entitled Higher Education Provision in Scotland’s Colleges: A future shaped by new levels of cross-institutional collaboration? written by CDN Research Associate Patrick O’Donnell, Perth College, UHI has been published which looks at the development of higher education delivery in the colleges in the UK and in Scotland specifically.
In a detailed survey of the college landscape and its historical development, Patrick identifies the main drivers of higher education provision and how they are continuing to evolve. This is a valuable report for anyone interested in how our colleges have developed their unique provision and what will influence the next stage of their development.
You can read the report here
Access to HE for Scottish rural and remote communities
Laurence Lasselle, Senior Lecturer, School of Management at University of St Andrews undertook research on access to HE for remote and rural communities following the inquiry into attainment and achievement of school children experiencing poverty of the Education and Skills Committee of the Scottish Parliament in 2018. This Committee recommended investigating how communities could be affected by the use of the SIMD1 and Free-School Meals as indicators of deprivation in school funding allocation.
Laurence has published two papers Levelling the playing field between rural schools and urban schools in a HE context: A Scottish case study (Lasselle and Johnson, April 2021)
and its follow up Depicting Rural Deprivation in a Higher Education Context – A Scottish Case Study
(Lasselle, 2021)
Both papers document how the use of the SIMD1 and FSM indicators could impact access to HE for remote and rural communities.
Please contact Laurence Lasselle if you would like to know more about this research. laurence.lasselle@st-andrews.ac.uk
Refugees Welcome Guidance for Universities on Providing Asylum Seekers and Refugees with Access to Higher Education 2021 – Universities Scotland publication.
Higher education institutions are well placed to be able to provide wide-ranging support to people who are fleeing violence and persecution. They can and are supporting people and communities in different circumstances: in their home countries, in refugee camps, and when they are settled in the UK.
Universities have updated their 2016 report . This is a collaborative effort between the Scottish Refugee Council and Scottish universities to provide guidance for the sector to ensure there is an understanding of entitlements, and that any displaced person living in Scotland that wants access to higher education is not discouraged by the administrative procedure required to gain entry into higher education.
You can access this publication below
Refugees-Welcome-2021-final.pdf (universities-scotland.ac.uk)
Reducing the Poverty Related Attainment Gap – Evidence Review of Mentoring and Tutoring
Report undertaken by the Poverty Alliance on behalf of the Robertson Trust
New analysis, undertaken by the Poverty Alliance on behalf of the Robertson Trust, examines evidence on the effectiveness of mentoring and tutoring for children and young people living in poverty and provides an overview of the current policy and practice landscape in Scotland.
Th research highlights the success of mentoring as an effective way to improve self confidence and raise aspirations amongst young people affected by poverty.
The Robertson Trust funded a Mentoring Project – Time4 Me – aimed at young people (aged 15-26) considered at highest risk of not achieving successful and sustained educational outcomes. The groups targeted for support were
• Care experienced young people
• Young carers/Young adult carers
• Young people from regeneration areas (SIMD20)
An evaluation of this project has taken place and makes interesting reading. You can find this report here
Building Belonging in the post-pandemic landscape
Dr Karen Campbell (Glasgow Caledonian University) explores ways of embedding a sense of belonging among students as they make transitions into and through higher education. Drawing on research and highlighting specific aspects of Glasgow Caledonian University’s approach, the paper discusses key challenges and opportunities for building belonging in the post-pandemic student experience and offers practical examples and activities that could be introduced in other institutions.
This article can be found on the QAA Membership Resources site
You can read this article here
Co Creating the Learner Journey: School College Partnerships and Effective Skills Pathways
College Development Network Research and Enhancement Centre
This report highlights the value and importance of school college partnerships. The report shows that between 2016-17 and 2019-20, School-College Partnership enrolments rose from 53,000 to almost 73,000. The new research reveals that if the upward trend continues, once we have recovered from the pandemic, it is anticipated that 12% of all school pupils in Scotland will engage in study with a college.
The research, which contains 11 case studies, goes on to identify ten key characteristics of successful School-College Partnerships. It also makes nine recommendations, including the need for an annual report to allow meaningful and consistent comparison across school/college provision.
Report authors: Gordon Hunt, CDN Associate (Research & Enhancement Centre), Dr Karen Campbell, CDN Research Associate, Colin Lynagh, CDN Research Associate Grant Ritchie, Associate Director, CD
l Studies at RGU,and Sarah Minty, University of Edinburgh, recently undertook research with undergraduate students from MD20 areas and those with care experience/ estranged backgrounds at RGU to explore their routes to the university and the barriers and enablers they encountered on the way.
You can read their research findings here
Students who participate in summer schools more likely to attend university
Students who attend summer schools are more likely to receive better grades and progress to higher education, according to a new report from TASO and the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) Service.
Download the read the article here
University Admissions: The international Picture
Post qualification admissions systems around the world
Professor Graeme Atherton
See the full report here
To discuss the report and its contents please contact Professor Graeme Atherton on Graeme.atherton@uwl.ac.uk.
New report – The Outlook for Outreach – shows investment in widening access to higher education to fall if Uni-Connect programme not renewed
Research released in June by the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) examining the Access and Participation Plans (APPs) of 171 Higher Education Providers shows that from 2022-23 the total invested in activities to support those from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter HE will fall unless there is continued funding provided for the national Uni-Connect programme.
The report entitled ‘The outlook for outreach’, also finds that investment in activities for learners post 16 is almost double that for those younger than 16, despite the wealth of evidence that shows young people form their future educational ambitions at the pre 16 stage. This difference in investment between those pre and post 16 is also set to grow over the 2020-21 to 2024-25 period covered by the plans.
As the author of the report Neil Raven states:
‘Whilst the report confirms the real commitment of HE providers to widening access, it also highlights the essential and complementary role that Uni Connect plays and the need to secure the programme’s long-term future.’
You can read the report The Outlook for Outreach here
SFC Reports
SFC Report on Widening Access 2020-21
The SFC annual report on Widening Access presents data relating to the Commission on Widening Access targets, and on Scottish-domiciled entrants to higher and further education in Scotland by socio-economic deprivation, gender, ethnicity, disability, care experience and age.
You can read the report here
Resilience and Recovery: Colleges and Universities response to Covid,
This report, through a selection of highlights and case studies, shows how Scotland’s colleges and universities – with the support of SFC – have responded to the unprecedented challenge of the Covid pandemic.
You can find the report here or look on the SFC website
Coherence and Sustainability: Review of Tertiary Education and Research SFC, June 2021
The Scottish Funding Council has published a report with recommendations for the future of Scotland’s College and university system.
The Phase 3 report, following on from two earlier reports, sets out the significant strengths of Scotland’s colleges and universities, the challenges they are facing over the coming years, and recommends ways to continue to secure good outcomes for current and future students in terms of fair access, good quality learning environments, and readiness for their next steps in the world; for employers and the changing world of work; and for wider social and economic benefit.
SFC Report on Widening Access 2019-20
This report presents data relating to the Commission on Widening Access targets, and on Scottish-domiciled entrants to higher and further education in Scotland by socio-economic deprivation, gender, ethnicity, disability, care experience and age.
Please find here SFC’s Report on Widening Access 2019-20
Journals, Newpaper and other useful reading
WONKE – Home of the Higher Education debate
UK Research and Innovation works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish
Higher Education Policy Institute
The Conversation Independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered direct to the public
Volunteer Scotland has a daily Radio V podcasts on all matter volunteering and learning.
Open University Widening Access and Lifelong Learning Journal
Magazine or journal articles
Building Belonging in the post-pandemic landscape
Dr Karen Campbell (Glasgow Caledonian University) explores ways of embedding a sense of belonging among students as they make transitions into and through higher education. Drawing on research and highlighting specific aspects of Glasgow Caledonian University’s approach, the paper discusses key challenges and opportunities for building belonging in the post-pandemic student experience and offers practical examples and activities that could be introduced in other institutions.
This article can be found on the QAA Membership Resources site
You can read this article here
Students who attend summer schools are more likely to receive better grades and progress to higher education, according to a new report from TASO and the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) Service.
Download the read the article here
Moving Widening Participation Outreach Online: Challenge or Opportunity – Jon Rainford, University of Bedfordshire
Our Hub Model can Transform prospects for Young People in Care – Lorraine Moore, Manager, Hub for Success, Edinburgh Napier University. This article appeared in The Scotsman on 2 July 2020
Why Widening Participation Matters More than Ever – View form Scottish HE Sector – Laura Cattell, Head of Widening Participation, University of Edinburgh This article, published on FACE website (Forum for Adult and Continuing Education), summarises how Covid-19 has heightened the value and necessity of widening participation
Minister lambasts English universities for letting down students – article in the Guardian 1 July 2020
A Strange Speech to Widening Participation Practitioners – article by Alex Blower reflects on a speech on social mobility and concludes that the minister failed to read the room – from WONKHE 5 July 2020
‘Student ambassadors: “role-models”, learning practices and identities’ published by Dr Clare Gartland from the University of Suffolk – paper presented at LEAPS/SCAPP event on 25th June 2020 “Working effectively with Student Ambassadors and Volunteers in Widening Participation Projects
Presentation from webinar Working Effectively with Student Ambassadors and Volunteers in Widening Participation Projects – presentation by Dr Clare Gartland on 25 June 2020
Using the Lens of ‘Possible Selves’ to Explore Access to Higher Education: A New Conceptual Model for Practice, Policy, and Research Neil Harrison, Department of Education and Childhood, University of the West of England