Bulletin
/Issue 2, June 2003
News from the partnerships & projects
Sharing our Learning – April 2003
The South West region held a seminar for WP workers to mark the launch of Aimhigher: P4P, and to ensure that the lessons learned from the 2000-02 project are carried forward. Twenty-four participants from all parts of the region attended this day-long event. The programme encouraged participants to discuss their experience with others so that good practice was shared. The seminar was part of an ongoing staff development programme.
Future events in the South West:
23 June – New Beginnings
8 October – Using data in WP
26 November – WBL and Vocational Progression
Details of projects funded under the current HEFCE/DELNI ‘Improving provision for disabled students’ programme can be found on the NDT website –
In response to recent questions about staff development, partnerships and disability projects have said they would welcome dissemination of events and activities that have worked well across other regions and with other projects. So please send us details of effective development events, activities and ideas - we can put a short paragraph in the Bulletin and direct people towards further information and contacts. See also events section SEDA summer school
Policy news
Aimhigher: Partnerships for Progression and links with the Excellence Challenge
A report detailing the links within regions is available on the Action on Access website at:
HE in FE
The LTSN generic centre organised a seminar early in May on supporting HE in FE colleges. Sue Hatt and John Harvey attended to represent Action on Access. The role of FE colleges will be particularly important in meeting the 50% target as these institutions are strategically placed to provide HE study for students who might otherwise find it hard to access “traditional” opportunities. As subject centres begin to appreciate the extent of HE in FE colleges they are also becoming conscious of issues to do with their capacity to respond and support colleagues delivering this provision.
HEFCE has recently published two reports on Supporting HE in FE – one on “policy, practice and prospects” and the other a “guide for tutors and lecturers”. Both can be accessed on their website:
At the recent LTSN event on HE in FE the HEFCE funded team reported that they were continuing to work on three strands of the HE in FE project – networks, web site, and research. Penny Blackie of City College Manchester is leading on networks and has convened a group which includes representation from AOC, QAA, Action on Access, LSC, HEFCE and LSDA. The group develop proposals to create regional HE in FE networks based on the successful models which exist in the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, and the South East. The aim is for existing organisations such as the AOC or LSDA to help establish HE in FE networks in regions where there is currently no network. A report and costings will be submitted to HEFCE and the LSC in June. For further information contact Penny Blackie at
Talking up part-time
Action on Access partnered Universities UK and the adult learners’ organisation NIACE in a conference on part-time students on HE, in London on 1 May.
Presentations analysing the circumstances of, and support for, part-time students and study were given by Alan Woodley (Open University) and from the student’s perspective by Alan Coleman, as well as by Baroness Diana Warwick (UUK), Bill Jones (NIACE) and Geoff Layer (Action on Access). A central theme of the animated discussions arising from these presentations was the extent to which current policy directions are open to input and change, and the best ways of working together and exercising influence. More broadly it was recognised that almost all students are now in fact ‘part-time’ and that policy and administrative practices had yet to catch up with that reality.
Work Based Learning
A recent Action on Access survey of P4P staff development needs identified work-based learning as a priority for regions and Action on Access is currently discussing plans with the LSC about mounting Aim Higher: P4P events on work based learning in the Autumn. At least one region (south west) is also planning an event on this area of P4P work. If you are planning any events on work-based learning in your region or sub region and would like some support or input please contact John Harvey at
On –line materials: opportunity
The JISC service, Combined HE Software Team (CHEST), was established to negotiate agreements and offers for purchases of software, data, information, training materials and other IT related products generally on a site licence basis for use by the educational community. An agreement has been negotiated with LIFT products (designed to enhance the accessibility of on-line materials) which provides a site licence for one LIFT product free of charge to be made available to each educational establishment.
For more information, the website is -
This agreement is managed by Jenny Carroll Tel:01225 474339
Response to the government white paper:
Skill The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities have produced a response to: The Future of Higher Education White Paper - The response can be accessed on the Skill website at
Team news/action
The Action on Access team works closely with the LSC nationally with John Harvey being the main link. Action on Access now has a list of all the key contacts at the LSC in Coventry as well as in Local LSCs. Whilst many P4P regions and sub regions will have good links with their LLSC others may not be clear who the main contacts are. The Action on Access office has a list of the LLSC HE and P4P leads for each local office so if you want help in contacting the appropriate person email Alison Masters .
John Harvey would particularly like to hear from colleagues about examples of good practice when working with Local LSCs. For example one LLSC has established an HE forum of all the key local players which advises the LLSC on HE policy and which also oversees the sub- regional Aim higher: P4P plan. The same LLSC has a detailed operational plan for Modern Apprenticeship development that includes work on developing progression routes to HE and is cross-referenced to the P4P plan. Email:
Events
For further information please contact the relevant e-mail addresses below
10 June, Project Management and Governance Seminar, Britannia Street Conference Centre, London. An Action on Access seminar for partnerships and projects
23 – 25 June, The Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) is holding a summer school for staff who have a professional role as educational and academic developers at the Royal Court Hotel, near Coventry. See
24 June, LTSN Engineering Subject Centre, 2003 – Loughborough University ‘Working with students with disabilities’. The NDT are providing a presentation at this event. For more information contact
1-2 July, National Association for Disability Officers (NADO) conference – "Roles, Responsibilities, Competencies, Terms & Conditions" University of Lincoln for further information contact
2-4 July AMOSSHE conference 'Strategic Alliances: Progression through Partnership'. Chester Moat House contact Jo Wilson, Christine Davies and Yvonne Dickinson are presenting a session on the Action on Access and NDT strategic alliance at this event
14 July, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Seminar, Britannia Street Conference Centre, London. An Action on Access seminar for partnerships and projects
Publications
Responding to learners' voices: Resources for widening participation and enabling transitions in FE and HE Edited by Paul Baker and Hilary Comfort, ISBN 1 86201 177 X NIACE, Expected: July 2003
Essential Public Manager, Christopher Pollitt, ISBN: 0-335-21232-8, Open University Press 01 May 2003
Policy & Politics Special Issue - Disability politics: representation and voices in the policy process, Guest Editors: Liz Lloyd and Sheila Riddell, The Policy Press,
Requests for information
BULLETIN – if you have received this indirectly and would like to be added to our mailing list, please email with the subject line “Bulletin mailing”
INCLUSION – Action on Access and the National Disability Team will be producing a twice-yearly newsletter – Inclusion. If you were on the mailing list for update on INCLUSION or the NDT Newsletter then you will automatically receive the new joint publication. To be added to the mailing list please email with the subject line “Inclusion mailing”