Size, Shape and Widening Participation Gareth Parry University of Sheffield

Three comparative dimensions 1. growth trajectories 2. changing shapes 3. policy priorities for widening participation for HE in FE (with cautions and caveats)

Who Took the Peak Expansion? 23% FECs 63% Polys and colleges 37% Universities % change England 43% FECs 40% Central institutions 30% Universities % change Scotland -31%1.11.6FECs 72% Poly and colleges 48% University of Wales % change Wales

Changing Shape : England

Changing Shape : Scotland

Changing Shape : Wales

Policy push: widening access and participation Common components: stimulating and shaping demand funding for access and retention delivering in college and work settings securing articulation and progression

Higher education: college contributions Four functions: qualifying (for initial entry) providing (in their own name or on behalf of another) transfer (beyond the short-cycle) returning

England: dynamic differentiation without formal stratification? changing and steering demand a new exit and transfer qualification overlapping missions and sector regimes plural funding and assorted provision competition and collaboration proposed awarding powers

Scotland: tertiary collaboration with a division of labour? (near) separate missions (revised) established qualifications direct funding critical mass progression as transfer joint strategies

Wales: cross-sector partnership on a single model? highest priority indirect funding old and new qualifications small to medium pockets

Universal Access and Dual Regimes of Further and Higher Education (The FurtherHigher Project) Rejoinders