Working in partnership: The Regional University Network Lindsay MacRae - Administrative Officer Michelle Fraser - Associate Dean

What is the Regional University Network?  Key feature of Leeds Met's Widening Participation Strategy – Point 5 of the Leeds Met Vision and Character Statement: nandcharacter08.pdf  Major expansion opportunities and potential since 2004/05 – starting with 2 in 2004/05 and 18 since the start of 2007/08  Response to market and employer demands within the HE Sector

Regional University Network Partner Colleges and Map Park Lane College LeedsNovember 2004 Bradford CollegeFebruary 2005 Calderdale CollegeJuly 2005 Dewsbury CollegeJuly 2005 Leeds College of BuildingJuly 2005 Leeds College of TechnologyJuly 2005 Leeds Thomas DanbyJuly 2005 Wakefield College July 2005 West Nottinghamshire CollegeJuly 2005 York College July 2005 Belfast Metropolitan CollegeApril 2006 Chesterfield CollegeJuly 2006 Grimsby InstituteJuly 2006 Newcastle CollegeJuly 2006 Hull CollegeDecember 2006 South Eastern Regional College February 2007 Bishop Burton CollegeSeptember 2007 Craven CollegeOctober 2007

Use of Schemes across the Network  Each Partner College employs the use of either a Foundation Degree or Higher Education Scheme  Partner College Scheme Leader - forefront of communication within the Network  Use of Routes/Pathways/Awards within each Scheme  Approval and validation of Leeds Met programmes via: - Institutional Recognition Events - Scheme Approvals Boards

Funding arrangements affecting Network students Students are either College-enrolled (Direct) or University-enrolled (Indirect), how does this affect:  Tuition Fee Payments?  Receipt of funding/funding contract?  Responsibility for QA and QE?  Facility/Resource Entitlement?  HE Programme Applications – UCAS and Direct?  Registration and Enrolment?

Activities across the Network  Regional Development Forum ALT Enhancement, Art & Design, Business Portfolio, Children's Workforce, CIMECT, CPD, E-Learning, Film, TV & Media Production; Health & Social Care, LIS, PCET, Performing Arts, PPD/WBL, Sport & Leisure; Tourism, Hospitality & Events  Regional University Network Management Board  Regional University Network Partners Board

Benefits of being part of the Regional University Network  Use of Leeds Met Facilities - Associate Staff Card Membership (Staff) - Guest User Card Membership (Students)  Activity Involvement Opportunities – widening participation  Access to the Partner College facilities – reciprocal agreement  Networking and sharing ideas of best practice  Partnerships Festival

Widening Participation Opportunities within the Network  Early Application Scheme  Northern Design Competition  Festival of Student Partnerships  Freshers Festival  Student Wiki  Carnegie Great Student Run

Collaborative Bids and Initiatives within the Network  Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT) in Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) – Success North  Sector Skills Council contacts and links  Subject Workshop Opportunities – ALT Showcase; PPD/WBL;  JISC – HE in FE; E-Learning  Joint curriculum provision  Practitioner-lead Research Opportunities  Network Event on IQER

Images of the Network in practice

Images of the Network in practice 2

Images of the Network in practice 3

Network Website and E-Bulletin  Enhancing networking and sharing ideas for best practice  Regular updates across the Network  Information point for Partner College staff and students  Opportunities to reflect on activities  Employer links/engagement

Opportunities and Challenges for the Network  Networking and sharing best practice – allowing both Leeds Met and the Partner Colleges to learn from each other  Increased expansion of HE provision and number of Partner Colleges within the Network  More emphasis on collaborative working and liaison  Partner College eligibility for Foundation Degree awarding powers  Keeping updated with changes affecting HE-in-FE  Restructuring and/or constitutional changes affecting the Partner College and/or Validating Body  Increased Employer Engagement

Summary  A partnership of equals/mutual respect  Opportunities for networking  Increased access/opportunities for students to study a HE programme within their local area

Contact Details Website address: Network Office Lindsay MacRae Michelle Fraser