Catherine Foster Aston Business School

History of Programme Aston WP Activity Phase I Research (Jha, Higson & Li, 2003) Findings of Phase I Phase II Aims

Background Influence on students of decision making Role of Family (Conner et al, 1999 & 2004) Role of Family (Pathak, 2000; Warren & Gillbourne, 2003) Previous research (Dodgson & Whitham, 2003) Changes in student population (HESA, 1998; Lewis, 2002)

Research of Phase II 3 stages: Student Research Open Day Parents Sessions Parents Research – Focus of Report To inform the content of programme activity Questionnaire Interviews

Additional Research Common Themes - across all 3 stages Student Research Findings Open Day Parents Sessions Questions Common Themes - across all 3 stages

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Questionnaire Findings The majority of parents (91.6%) stated they would like their children to go to University, however, many did not agree that they could afford for them to go Differences exist between minority ethnic groups when asked if they would be happy for their child to move away to attend University The top three concerns for parents were safety, debt and accommodation More than half of the parents stated they would expect their child to take up or continue with part time work Caribbean parents were less likely than other minority ethnic groups to agree that everyone has an equal chance to go to University

Concerns/Issues Level of support Cost Safety Security Lack of understanding of University Accommodation Treatment of child (as an equal) Social Life (both content and as a distracter)

External Issues/Barriers to Progression Finance Racism Expectations of students Cultural Understanding Effect of finance on rest of family Jargon Relationship with school and teachers Understanding of system Information not accessible

Information Required about: Accommodation Subjects Information Course Information Pastoral Care Study Skills needed Links and Events with Schools Ethnic Make-Up of Students and staff Easy-speak prospectus Case Studies of current students

Programme Activity Attendance at School events Visits to Community Organisations Visit into University Tour of Campus – focus on: Accommodation Facilities Pastoral Care Discussion with current students Q&A session Parents Guide to HE

Contact Catherine Foster 0121 204 3137 c.s.foster@aston.ac.uk http://www.aston.ac.uk/parents