1. What do enquirers and applicants need to know? PSRB Forum on Public Information 16 December 2011 Leslie Currie, Senior Project Officer

2. What is SPA? Set up in 2006 following the Schwartz Report Fair Admissions to Higher Education: Recommendations for Good Practice 2004 The Group recommends the creation of a central source of expertise and advice on admissions issues. Its purpose would be to act as a resource for institutions who wish to maintain and enhance excellence in admissions. Such a centre could lead the continuing development of fair admissions, evaluating and commissioning research, and spreading best practice. UKs independent and objective voice on HE admissions Small team, but with practical and relevant experience

3. Why should HE providers bother giving information to applicants?

4. Good practice requirements The QAA Code The Schwartz Report Transparency – the information they [applicants] require to make an informed choice of course and institution Admissions Systems and their requirements UCAS/GTTR/UKPASS etc.

5. Self-interest Recruitment Attract to your institution students who want to do that subject Expand your market by suggesting a new subject or topic to potential students who had not thought of it previously Improve retention If students are clear about what they have signed up for they are less likely to leave, more likely to be satisfied.

6. What do we need to put in? Basic admissions/entry requirements Including subjects, grades, CRB, fitness to practice Information about the PSRBs specific requirements Information about the course – and how it is connected to the profession (i.e. requirements for professional experience) Information about the profession itself, including careers Information about accreditation – and what this actually means What else do you feel should be communicated – and how?

8. How to communicate and to whom? How do you get your message across to the right person in the HE provider? Who do you tell? Are you happy that the message is being passed on? Is there good communication between academic and outreach staff? Is this work finding its way through to the HEIs recruitment and outreach staff and to HELOA, marketing – and on to UCAS sites? Who do you want to talk to – potential students, advisers, families.....? How do you make sure that the right message is being picked up and transmitted?

9. Message for potential applicants and advisers What message do you want them to hear or read? How should it be communicated to HE providers? How should it be communicated by HE providers?

10. Thank you Your feedback is welcomed More information from: enquiries@spa.ac.uk or 01242 544891 www.spa.ac.ukenquiries@spa.ac.uk