“Still Flying Ten Years On!” Dr Vikki Cook FACE Conference 2009

Aims of this workshop…. To discuss how and why the Flying Start Project is so effective To consider other ways in which the research, knowledge and expertise gained can be used to further support access, diversity and participation in HE

What is Flying Start? Flying Start is a retention project Focuses on various aspects of the transition into Higher Education VERY SUCCESSFUL! Attrition rate for FS students is half that of UCLan as a whole

Flying Start & Retention Non-Completion Rates of Flying Start Students Compared to Institutional Rates 1999/ /7 (Stage One) 27.0% 28.0% 26.0% 16.0% 17.6% 14.0% 15.0% 10.0% 11.3% 12.0% 5.4% 6.7% 6.0% 6.5% 7.0% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 1999/002000/012001/022002/032003/042004/052005/62006/7 Academic Year Institutional Flying Start

Flying Start & Widening Participation An average of 80% of FS students come from a family background with no experience of HE

The Transition Coming to University represents a huge personal change for students…. & their families! Tony Cook (no relation!) STAR Studies-

Put yourself in the position of a new student... What would be your main problems/issues/concerns? Discuss!

Residential Events  FREE Four-day Course – includes accommodation for 3 nights, all meals and an evening social programme Non-Residential Events  FREE Three-day Course – includes lunch How does Flying Start work?

 Getting to know the Campus & City Centre  Getting to grips with commonly used University jargon  Essential academic study skills  Life Skills (time/money management etc)  Where to go for help & support Course uses lecture/seminar format. Programme includes:

Flying Start Mentors 25 Mentors - 2 nd & 3 rd Year Students Variety of age/background/course Paid £7 per hour - Given intense training over 4 days Deliver Seminars on life skills, campus/city, expectations of HE, using library, critical thinking,1 st year experience talks. Facilitate ‘ice- breaker sessions’

So …. WHY does Flying Start Work? Originally adopted Tinto’s model but the “notion of integration was superseded by the central idea of engagement” (Abramson & Jones: 2003) FS working with Psychology Dept to look at the role of Emotional Intelligence in retention

Emotional & Social Intelligence Model 1. Self-Awareness 2. Social Awareness (empathy, organisational awareness) 3. Self-Management 4. Relationship Management (conflict, teamwork etc)

Emotional Intelligence “ low EI is associated with withdrawal because it is linked to poor social integration at university” (Engelberg & Sjoberg, 2004). “EI competencies are likely to be associated with the ability to seek help or support when required” (Gohm, Corser & Dalsky, 2005). “students remaining to the end of Year 1 were higher on all four EI dimensions than their peers who dropped out during the same period.” (Qualter, Whiteley, Morley & Dudiak, 2009)

Flying Start Induction Packs Sent out to all Course Leaders - September 08/09 Includes some Flying Start ‘off-the- peg’ sessions. Including: ‘icebreakers’/team-building sessions, Campus Quiz, academic skills sessions Potential for Schools to ‘buy-in’ FS Mentors to deliver sessions for Induction & beyond.

Bespoke Flying Start Sessions for Schools Worked with Sports – 3 rd year top- up students. Figures show dramatic improvement in retention & referrals. Looking at offering sessions for Associate Lecturers on using Induction Packs

For Further Details….. Phone: Flying Start Or Visit our website: UCLan homepage Flying Start – via Prospective Students or A-Z quicklink