Supporting student transitions Dr Michael Englard, Director of Research and Policy Kent Heads’ Conference, 19/01/18

Who we are We improve the life chances of children and young people in the UK by supporting them and their key influencers through key educational transitions. Example programmes Academic Apprenticeship: supporting students with applications Access Champions: benchmark-based intervention supporting senior teachers to improve post-18 progression pathways Work with 30+ universities. “The best teacher feedback I have seen in my career”, Anne-Marie Canning, Director of Student Success, King’s College, London

Objectives Re-consider the idea of a student “transition”: Consider strategies for supporting transitions Example of resource bank for supporting transitions through application support Focus on transition from school/college to HE/FE but thinking and strategies can also be applied to other transitions.

Do transitions matter? When surveyed, what percentage of students said that they would pick the same course at the same university?

What do we mean by student transitions? Contested term Commonly viewed as moving from one institution or stage of education to another. “A fixed turning point which takes place at a preordained time an in a certain place.” (Quinn, 2010) But, recently more emphasis on different ways of viewing transitions: “the capability to navigate change” (Gale and Parker, 2014)

What do we mean by student transitions? Conception Metaphor Dynamics Examples Transition as induction Pathway, milestones Inculcation: move from one institution and discipline to another Defined period First year seminars Orientation on a campus Transition as development Trajectory, life stage Transformation Distinct stages of maturation Move from one identity to another Mentoring programs Adapted From Gale and Parker, “A typology of student transition in higher education”, 2014

What aspects of the transition from school to HE do students find difficult? Academic challenges - Learning in new ways, less support Personal and social challenges - Making friends, finding accommodation Administrative challenges - Student finance Geographical challenges - Making sense of place (Adapted from Nottingham University “Transition guide”)

What can we do to support student transitions?

Four strategies for supporting student transitions Supporting academic challenges Supporting social challenges Supporting cross-sectional challenges 1. Subject enrichment: students research a topic of interest for their personal statements 3. Near peer engagement Use of alumni sessions structured around key challenges 4. Primer and debrief sessions for campus visits 2. Modifying existing IAG Include: (i) different styles of HE learning (ii) structured exploration of modules