OCNLR Access Conference 2011 : ‘Safeguarding the Future of Access to HE’

Securing the future of Access was the key theme at the first OCNLR Access to HE conference which took place at the end of March. The aim of the event was to draw FE and HE staff together and explore ways of ensuring that this very important provision continues to receive Government support throughout this period of financial austerity. Responses from delegates were overwhelmingly positive and have left us in no doubt that Access remains high on the widening participation agenda.

Presentations from Keynote Speaker, Mary Curnock Cook, Chief Executive at UCAS and from Kath Dentith, Head of Access at QAA were extremely well received.  Both presentations drew on data that showed how Access to HE nationally, and in Greater London in particular, continues to enable progression into HE for a significant number of disadvantaged adults and particularly those from minority ethnic groups. The presentations also demonstrated that Access students, once in HE, do very well and are less likely to drop out than students entering from other non ‘A’ level routes.

A presentation from Julian Gravatt, Assistant Chief Executive at the Association of Colleges, gave delegates a clear and pragmatic update on changes in Government funding with a particular focus on Access and Annie Doyle, Senior Project Officer at Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA) explained the important role that SPA plays in ensuring fair admissions practice in HE.

Access to HE is all about the learners and we were particularly delighted to welcome Simon Blackstock, a former Access learner at Kensington and Chelsea College and winner of the Helena Kennedy Award. Simon’s talk about his journey from Pre-Access, into Access and on to HE was both inspiring and moving, and presented a salutary reminder of the role of Access in giving people a chance to transform their lives. Simon is now studying International Finance and Banking at City University’s prestigious Business School.

Please click here for the conference presentations.