Event report: Access to HE Diploma Practitioner Group meeting
The third and last Access to HE Diploma Practitioner Group meeting of the academic year was held online on 11 May.
After a warm welcome from Andrew Jones, Linking London, we first heard from Julie Mizon, Access Manager at the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), who presented to the group reflecting on Access to HE Diploma developments over the last year. Julie gave a useful breakdown of data around access learners including the demographic of learners and student outcomes, highlighting the impact of COVID and the cost of living crisis on numbers, and how QAA are working to keep supporting access learners and providers.
This was followed by a round table partner update providing an opportunity for partners to share the latest news from our college and university partners regarding access delivery and HE outreach activities. Partners shared information on staff recruitment challenges and upcoming events.
After a short comfort break, we heard from Michelle Woods, Access to HE Development Co-ordinator at OCN London, who provided the latest access and OCN London news and updates which included diploma revalidations, new progression agreements and their work with centres. Michelle also highlighted some of the challenges providers have faced such as lower learner numbers, retention and staff recruitment issues.
Lastly, Andrew Jones provided an overview of the HE entry requirement mapping that Linking London did for access students 2024 entry, sharing some of the key headlines/findings, and good and bad practice found. Fifty universities in England were mapped and the mapping also includes T Level and BTEC entry requirements. Once the mapping is fully completed this will be shared with partners.
Andrew Jones then shared a draft outline for the planned Access to HE Diploma week and asked partners for any suggestions/comments and how best to promote to Access learners.
The next meeting will take place in the Autumn term, date and time TBC.
Presentations, recording and meeting note
View the presentations, recording and meeting note from the day.
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