ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN 2024-2028
“Championing widening access and participation locally, nationally and globally.”
ACCESS SUCCESS PROGRESSION
Access and participation plans set out how higher education providers will improve equality of opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access, succeed in, and progress from higher education.
Office for Students, 2023
OUR STUDENTS AND EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
48
are first-in-family to enter higher education
30
27
are from low-income households have a declared disability
21
are from the most deprived neighbourhoods (IMD 2019)
20
16
12
are LGBT+ are mature students (21 and over on entry) are from a Black, Asian, Mixed or Other ethnicity (BAME)
Other characteristics that could indicate a student is at greater risk to equality of opportunity include:
care-experienced students, commuting students, estranged students, service children, students with parental responsibility, young carers or students who identify with particular religions.
We also understand that no single student has the same experience, often with intersecting characteristics and backgrounds defining their access and participation that can impact at any stage of their journey.
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY RISK REGISTER
The Office for Students have released the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register that outlines 12 identified risks to equality of opportunity across the higher education sector.
IMPROVING ACCESS, SUCCESS AND PROGRESSION
Adopting a holistic student-centred, whole lifecycle, strategic approach to improving access, success and progression. We have identified a series of commitments under our Access and Participation ‘Strategic Aims’ that seek to address areas of risk to equality of opportunity for any student that could be impacted, acknowledging more explicitly under our ‘Strategic Interventions’ how these may directly address specific risks for certain groups.
ACCESS
Outreach
To work with local communities to increase the low rates of pre-16 attainment and access into higher education.
Recruitment
To improve our recruitment and admissions practices to ensure equity of access onto our courses.
Diversity of Pathways
To provide flexible and alternative pathways for progression to higher education that support the local skills gaps.
SUCCESS*
Inclusion and belonging
To create an inclusive learning and teaching environment that enhances transition, provides a sense of belonging and enables students to reach their potential.
Mental health and wellbeing
To ensure the university environment and experience supports the maintenance of good mental health and wellbeing for students to actively engage in their studies.
Finance
To provide support to students impacted by increased cost pressures that affect their ability to complete their course or obtain a good degree.
Close awarding gaps
To address gaps in degree outcomes via targeted academic and pastoral support interventions.
Employability
To continue to further embed and integrate employability within the curriculum.
To provide targeted initiatives to support students less likely to progress to further study or graduate employment.
SIX STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS
We have identified six key areas of risks to equality of opportunity that we will address through evidence-based strategic interventions.
1
PRE-16 ATTAINMENT
Work with schools and teachers to improve attainment.
■ Supporting teachers and practitioners professional development.
■ Academic coaching and mentoring in primary and secondary schools.
■ First Star Scholars Scheme for care-experienced young people.
■ Leading the Service Childrens’ Progression (SCiP) Alliance.
2
POST-16 APPLICATIONS
Increase entry rates of students from the most disadvantaged groups.
■ NEW Access Scheme inc. application and transition support packages, contextualised admissions and a travel support fund.
■ Flexible study routes inc. Foundation Year and Degree Apprenticeships.
3
POST-16 OFFER RATES
Improve offer rates for black students on Health and Wellbeing courses.
■ Improved applicant and interview processes.
■ Annual review and ongoing student consultation via the Global Majority Student Steering Group.
■ Health and Wellbeing programme of outreach and applicant events.
5
SIX STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS
4 EMPLOYABILITY AWARDING GAPS CONTINUATION RATES
6
Support students impacted by the pandemic, mental health and the cost of living to complete their studies.
■ ‘Welcome to Winchester’ Transition Programme.
■ Developments under the University Mental Health Charter.
■ Student-centred pastoral support, policies and procedures inc.
Personal Academic Tutoring (PAT)
■ Financial support including bursaries and budgeting advice.
Close the awarding gaps (likelihood of achieving a ‘good degree’) for disadvantaged males and black students.
■ Targeted academic coaching and peer assisted learning schemes.
■ Additional support for students repeating study.
■ Embedding inclusivity in the curriculum.
Improve the progression rates (graduate outcomes) for non-white students, disadvantaged males and disabled students.
■ Targeted employability sessions and mentoring schemes.
■ Increased opportunities to develop networking skills and engage with employers.
■ Financial support for placements, volunteering, study-abroad and other employability activities.
QUICK LINKS
University of Winchester
Access and Participation Statement
Access and Participation Plan (2024-2028) – Full Plan
Access and Participation Plan (2024-2028) - Executive Summary
Office for Students
Promoting equal opportunities
Access and participation plans
Equality of Opportunity Risk Register