Dr John Butcher, Wendy Fowle, Julie Gowen Understanding the impact of outreach to adults from disadvantaged backgrounds FACE 2017 Symposium 30th June 2017 Dr John Butcher, Wendy Fowle, Julie Gowen The Open University

+ Identifying the issue + + = The decline of part-time HE Part-time learners primarily adult learners Evaluation of outreach primarily focussed on school-based interventions Outreach for mature learners significantly different Identified need to explore examples of outreach activity for disadvantaged adult learners The development of an evaluation framework for use across the sector + + + = Institutions claim to spend vast amounts of money on outreach, but there is little known about who is doing what and what works.

Activity What does outreach look like in your institution? How important are adult learners in your institution? Do you do any outreach for adult learners? What are the challenges for delivering outreach to adult learners?

Why the project? Sector encouragement to engage more fully with this cohort OFFA focus on adult and mature learners in Access Agreements Recognition that many institutions are uncertain how to ‘do’ it

5 institutional case studies providing exemplars of outreach for disadvantaged adult learners The preparedness of students studying a STEM Access module for studying Level 1 STEM Transitions from a foundation programme onto a full Arts degree Successful transitions from Higher Educational Introductory Studies to degree level study Community engagement – what works? Using free online resources to reach adult learners

Findings from the case studies Outreach for disadvantaged adult learners is context-specific The impact of outreach in terms of engaging adults with HE may not be felt for some time Successful outreach may not necessarily mean adult learners re-engaging with the institution from which the outreach was delivered Successful outreach may be more qualitative (ie increased confidence) in nature rather than bums on seats Adult learner journeys are random and non-linear therefore measuring impact and progression to HE is challenging

Activity Step 1 How ready is your institution for adult learners? What does outreach to adult learners look like in your institution? Step 3 How do you evaluate your outreach activity to adult learners Next steps

Woburn House Conference Centre, London Official report to be launched 4th July What next for adult learners post-election/post Brexit? Woburn House Conference Centre, London @OU_observe