Press Release
OCN London hosts the annual Access to HE Conference and discusses the future of Access in a new era
Simon Hughes MP, the Government’s Advocate for Access to Education discussed the importance of social mobility and inclusion within higher education at the annual OCN London Access to HE Conference which took place on Friday, 23 March in central London.
His keynote speech reinforced the government’s stated aim to continue supporting the widening participation agenda and Access to Higher Education, ensuring that the UK offers equal opportunities to education provision at all levels and in turn supports a diverse workforce in the UK.
The conference, which saw over 80 delegates from Access to HE provision across London and the South East attend, also featured presentations from Kath Dentith, Head of Access at the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Julian Gravatt, Assistant Chief Executive for the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Director of Access at the University of East London, Professor John Storan.
In response to the 2011 White Paper, ‘Students at the Heart of the System’, Kath Dentith identified that, “continuing support for Access courses shouldhelp those who left school early or have been out ofeducation for a number of years.” The conference addressed this important statement along with the implications of changes to the government’s skills funding policies and the impact it may have on the thousandsof learners that start an Access to HE course in the London and South East region each year.
London South Bank University student Harun Erfant, provided a moving and inspirational speech about his experience studying the Access to HE Diploma (Law) with Bexley College before progressingto LSBUwhere he is currently studying for a BA (Hons) in Law. Prior to starting the Access to HE course, he worked in the construction industry but had always wanted to be a lawyer and is testament to the values and opportunities offered by Access to HE within the community.
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Notes to Editors
- For more information contact Marisa Castellini, Curriculum Development Manager - Access to HE. OCN London. 020 7278 5511
- OCN London is a national Awarding Organisation with 25 years of experience in developing qualifications and accredited courses for a wide range of sectors and learners. OCN London works with a broad range of providers including FE colleges, adult & community education, employers, schools, third sector organisations and prisons.
The Diversity of Learning