1. Working with Community Based Partners Denise Bates, Assistant Director, Widening Participation, Region 01, March 2009

2. The Open University in London 1 of 13 regional/ national centres Functions: –complex pre-entry advice and guidance; –learner support; –recruit and manage 900 Associate Lecturers; –manage 22 tutorial venues; –local external development and marketing –support/ liaise with regionally based academic staff

3. Regional profile - London High demand for pre-entry IAG: open entry 23563 students (headcount) November 2008 95 office based staff : academic and student services 28% population in Quintile 1 on IMD; 29% in Quintile 2* 34% SOAs in most deprived 25% 22% of new registrations in lowest 25% (07-8) *Source: Meg Allen, OU, WP Outreach Model, 2008

4. External partnerships in London Very busy and complex environment 40+ HEIs; 34 FECs Numerous consortia and partnerships! Aimhigher LLNs Widening participation: focus on work with communities and reaching adult learners: but how?

5. Case studies Stockwell Primary School –Introduction to Headteacher through Aimhigher Camden Extended Schools –Building trust through involvement in Parent Council –Building relationships with Extended Schools Coordinator and new Parent and Partner Engagement Manager

6. Challenges How to raise awareness How to build confidence and preparation for HE Who delivers pre-entry IAG? (Approx 9000 course choice requests in 2008 – OU in London) What additional support should be delivered on-course and by whom? (6000 study issue requests handled by Learner Support in 2008) How we work with regional academic staff What are the skills needed for work with WP groups?

7. The Open University in London 1-11 Hawley Crescent London NW1 8NP d.p.bates@open.ac.uk www.open.ac.uk