1. Technicians Role in Advancing Widening Participation From Work Experience to School Governor Stephanie Lee UG Recruitment and Widening Participation Manager Stephanie.lee@manchester.ac.uk

2. Overview What is widening participation? National Policy and context The role of universities in widening participation – Outreach – Admissions – Student retention and support Examples of WP activities How to get involved and the benefits for current staff and students Questions and discussion

3. Widening Participation Social Responsibility Public Engagement Are you or your wider team currently involved in activities relating to these areas? If yes, what types of activities?

4. What is Widening Participation? “Widening Participation is concerned with addressing patterns of under-representation in HE... Definitions, target groups and approaches differ between the four countries in the UK, but in general all countries are concerned to see improvements relating to entry rates to HE; retention, achievement and progression; and subsequent opportunities in employment and learning.” (Higher Education Academy)

5. WP Target Groups 1.People from lower socio-economic groups 2.People from certain schools and colleges 3.People from certain geographical/postcode areas, particularly urban areas where there are high levels of deprivation 4.People from families with little history of higher education 5.Students taking vocational routes 6.People with disabilities 7.People who have experienced a time in care 8.Some minority ethnic groups

8. National policy and institutional context Access Agreements End of the national Aimhigher programme Onus on schools and colleges to provide impartial information advice and guidance Changing education landscape – Schools & colleges – University applications Institutional Strategy

9. Examples of activities Campus visits – Workshops, lectures, exhibitions Programmes – Work experience, mentoring Work with teachers – CPD, Networks Volunteering – School Governors

10. Getting involved Widening Participation (Manchester) Educational Opportunities (Liverpool) External Liaison and Access Team (UCLAN) WP Research and Evaluation Unit (Sheffield)

11. Why get involved?

12. Questions and discussion What the opportunities and challenges for you being involved in widening participation work in your current role?

13. UoM Access Agreement with the Office for Fair Access http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=14460 UoM Annual Report on WP http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=4294 UoM Schools and Colleges Pages http://www.manchester.ac.uk/undergraduate/schoolsandcolleges/ SGOSS (School Governor Charity) http://www.sgoss.org.uk/ Useful Links