1. 'Making Widening Participation Relevant in the 21st Century: Economic and Social Regeneration through Education' 14th March 2007 'Making Widening Participation Relevant in the 21st Century: Economic and Social Regeneration through Education' 14th March 2007 Finding a Path to Widening Participation Stewart Critchlow

2. 2 The Leitch Review ‘The greater part of what is taught in schools and universities, however, does not seem to be the proper preparation for that of business’. Adam Smith’s ‘The Wealth of Nations’ 1776.

3. 3 Heard it all before? How many reports/reviews on aspects of Education/Skills in the last 30 years? Many different singers, but the song remains the same. the song remains the same.

4. 4 Widening Participation Why do we need it? Why do we need it? Demographics Falling School Rolls Falling School Rolls More over 60s than under 16s More over 60s than under 16s External Pressures on UK Economy Because we should!

5. 5 Widening Participation UK is good at Lifelong Learning (CPD) UK is good at Lifelong Learning (CPD) The fault-line is success or failure at 16 Pass - Gold Standard (Royal Route) Fail - At best - Vocational for those who remain engaged.

6. 6 Do we need more graduates? Does the economy need them? Does the economy need them? Is the Royal Route the only way? Is the Royal Route the only way? Will graduates get value for money? Will graduates get value for money? Are we gaining the right skills? Are we gaining the right skills?

7. 7 The changing face of learning Education v Training Education v Training Learning It is not what you learn, or how you learn it, but how effectively you apply it.

8. 8 Who will pay? Business Business Learners Learners Government Government

9. 9 Local Challenges for HE Poor academic record of local schools Poor academic record of local schools Decline of traditional skills and jobs Decline of traditional skills and jobs Bad Press Bad Press Widening Aspirations of Stakeholders Widening Aspirations of Stakeholders

10. 10 Aspirational & Inspirational Past Design and innovation Design and innovation “most cost-effective place to set up a UK business” (KPMG 2004) “most cost-effective place to set up a UK business” (KPMG 2004) History History

11. 11

12. 12 Law (18) + 9? Law (18) + 9? Geography (6) + 2? Geography (6) + 2? English (1) + 2? English (1) + 2? English and Philosophy (Joint) English and Philosophy (Joint) Product Design Product Design Fast Track Degrees 2006

13. 13 New Fast Track Degrees Business Management (2007) Business Management (2007) Accountancy (2007) Accountancy (2007) Modern & Popular History (2008) Modern & Popular History (2008) Modern & International History (2008) Modern & International History (2008) Engineering (2008) Engineering (2008)

14. 14 Funding Market Research Market Research 4 year Masters Sandwich Degree 4 year Masters Sandwich Degree Blended learning (Hons) Top up for Engineering Fds Blended learning (Hons) Top up for Engineering Fds M-learning - Podcasting/Vodcasting M-learning - Podcasting/Vodcasting Fd Core Modules as distance learning Fd Core Modules as distance learning

15. 15 HEFCE Strategies Pathfinder Flexible Learning Project Pathfinder Flexible Learning Project Five HEIs – two year project funding Five HEIs – two year project funding Fast Track awards (U/G & P/G) Fast Track awards (U/G & P/G) Different progression rates & learning modes Different progression rates & learning modes Complete and/or constitutive units of study Complete and/or constitutive units of study

16. 16 Next Steps (1) Academic Calendar Academic Calendar On-line registration and single point of contact learner support - 2007-8 On-line registration and single point of contact learner support - 2007-8 m-learning - Pod Casting/Texting m-learning - Pod Casting/Texting University Quarter - Employer Engagement University Quarter - Employer Engagement CPD - WBL, LtW, LLN CPD - WBL, LtW, LLN Web Portal Web Portal

17. 17 Barriers/Challenges Bologna Bologna Challenging Stoke-on-Trent’s low academic achievement levels Challenging Stoke-on-Trent’s low academic achievement levels Perceptions of Flexible Learning Perceptions of Flexible Learning Desirability of Funding by Credit Desirability of Funding by Credit There is no silver bullet. There is no silver bullet.

18. 18 Any Questions?