1. Higher York Presentation to University Council June 2006

2. Milestones 2001: tripartite agreement –University of York –York College –York St John College 2001: HEFCE Development Funding –£50,000 pa (January 2002 to December 2003) 2002: launch of Higher York –inc Askham Bryan College and City of York Council –statement of collaboration 2004/5: Designation as first LLN by HEFCE –£1 mill support Jan 2005 – Aug 2007

3. National drivers low participation rates in some classes and gap widening need to facilitate progression routes accommodating vocational qualifications Also, encouraging mission diversity promoting collaboration ‘We want everyone to benefit from higher education who has the potential to do so’ (HEFCE)

4. Growth in Students (FT/PT students - thousands)

5. Participation rates

6. …. regional participation

7. Mature Students 1984-93

8. Mature Students 1996-2000

9. Participation in Context

10. Why Lifelong Learning Networks? Context much HE expansion will be in FE emphasis on vocational and up-dating taking account of regional and sub-regional agendas Therefore, need more sensitised student services; information, advice & guidance credit framework to enable easier mobility flexible delivery methods – e-learning, distance learning, part-time provision etc planning in partnership

11. What will LLNs do? _____________________________________________ Bring greater clarity, coherence and certainty to progression opportunities: local CAT schemes; progression agreements. Develop the curriculum as appropriate to facilitate progression Value vocational learning outcomes and provide opportunities for vocational learners to build on earlier learning and to re-engage with learning throughout their lifetime – parity of esteem.

12. Higher York Executive Higher York Board City of York Council Askham Bryan College York St John College York College University of York Quality, Curriculum & Progression group Learners & Support group Art & Design Bus & Management Health Sciences Sport, Leisure & Tourism Marketing & Communications Various ‘task & finish’ groups e.g. student guide, disability management, specialist events, staff development groups Higher York Students Union Archaeology & Heritage Biosciences Counselling Electronics/Electrical Engineering IT HY Structure

13. LLNs – the state of play _____________________________________________ Fully funded - North East Higher Skills Network - Greater Manchester Strategic Alliance - Greater Merseyside - Cheshire and Warrington LLN - Higher York - Maximised Opportunity through Vocational Education (MOVE) – East of England

14. LLNs – the state of play ____________________________________________ Fully Funded - Thames Gateway - Linking London - Sussex LLN - Kent and Medway - Western Vocational LLN - South West - National Arts Learning Network Funded for Development: - 15 networks, including two national Also funded - LLN Practitioners Group (based at York)

15. HY outputs (1) Mapping existing progression routes – nine target curriculum areas Developing new provision Additional Student Numbers Progression agreements

16. HY outputs (2) Enhanced IAG for students and staff Stronger and more integrated student support Working with Aimhigher and NYBEP Working with 14-19 curriculum and local schools Working with employers Practitioner network group led by HY

18. studyyork.com was launched in March 2006 to bring together information on studying and living in York. It provides up-to-date information for current and prospective students about HE courses available across York, and includes other sections such as: financial hel; accommodation; faith; volunteering; things to do; and safety. The website was created with the help of staff and students across Higher York. The site is being viewed by 2,500 each month.

19. The new Higher York site also includes an area for all staff involved in working groups to view and share information. There is also a Business & Community section under development which will facilitate external engagement.

20. Higher York Targets SchemesStudents (targets) Foundation Degrees13385 Undergraduate Degrees 7775 Postgraduate Provision245 Progression Routes1565 Access Provision20% increase100 Under- represented/hard to reach groups Delivery of 3 Aimhigher strategic objectives 110 Extra Curricular Provision 550

21. Challenges for LLNs (1) Credit Accumulation and Transfer schemes implementation and ‘buy-in’ turning ‘theory into practice’ Progression defining ‘guaranteed’ - “progression accords that actually mean something” delivering clear, flexible & sustainable routes Learners listening to the student voice ensuring access to clear information, advice & guidance reaching new learners creating appropriate informational materials (progression maps etc.)

22. Demand employer engagement turning ‘need’ into ‘demand’ engagement with Sector Skills Councils Organisational Issues coherence with other LLNs overcoming suspicion (building trust) within institutions sustainability, momentum & critical mass boundary issues: complexity of operational environment: relationships with/to numerous cross-cutting partnerships and initiatives Challenges for LLNs (2)

23. Communication lack of understanding of different qualifications and levels branding, image and philosophy Management information and meeting overload delivering student number growth HEFCE ‘Balancing HEFCE short-term need outputs against objectives that will take time to achieve evaluation criteria/accountability burden Sustainability, ie ‘durability of the offer’ Challenges for LLNs (3)

24. Making Higher York Work (1) positives: ‘buy in’ from 4 partner institutions, City Council and local/regional stakeholders institutional leadership commitment strong support from HEFCE as a pilot LLN complementarity of providers and offerings

25. Making Higher York Work (2) challenges: building support across institutions construction of CAT and progression schemes engagement of key stakeholders (inc RES, SEA/SRIP, LSP, LAA) linking various widening participation initiatives understanding the market

26. Making Higher York Work Some key sectors Heritage and Culture Tourism and hospitality Digital STEM Diversifying land-based industry ICT Bioscience Food and drink Health and social care Childcare Rail industry Engineering/Manufacture Construction Retail, distribution and transport Voluntary sector

27. Focusing on? Science City Rural Regeneration & Diversification Health and Lifestyle Creative Industries

28. Whilst recognising… ‘…institutional collaboration (mutual planning and delivery) is a much messier and more contingent experience than any of the models suggest. It’s often fragile and irrational. It’s also increasingly important to the health of both individual HEIs and the sector as a whole, which is why we mustn’t give up in the face of messiness, contingency, fragility and irrationality.’ Professor Sir David Watson (2002) ‘Drift and Mastery: Reflections on Collaboration in UK Higher Education’ CADISE conference

29. www.higheryork.org www.studyyork.com