Moulton College. Access Agreement 2014/15

Transcription

1 Moulton College Access Agreement 2014/15 A Introduction Moulton College is a land-based college with significant higher education provision in Land-based, Sports and Construction Studies. For the academic years 2012/13 and 2013/14 the College chose to charge the basic fee for all of its higher education entrants. Now that the new fees regime has become established it has been decided to charge 7250 for new entrants in the 2014/15 academic year. This is based on the costs of delivering high quality higher education courses in subjects which require extensive physical resources. The College has direct funding with a student number control of 151 for 2014 with the tolerance, and has indirect funding from the University of Northampton with an annually negotiated student control number. B Fee Limits and Income For full-time students who entered in academic years 2012/13 and 2013/14 the continuing fee will be 6,000 for the remaining years of their individual course, and will include BSc top-up students in 2014/15 and 2015/16. For the 2014/15 academic year full-time students will be charged 7250 with an inflation factor in subsequent years of RPI-X (the retail price index excluding mortgage interest payments. Regulated part-time students will pay a flat rate of 500 per 20 credits studied. Most part-time students at the College undertake 80 credits per academic year and that results in a maximum fee of 2,000 per year. This agreement, therefore, has a focus on full-time students and the additional fee income will be based on full-time students only. Student Population and Fees Estimated Higher Education Population 2014/15 (directly-funded students only) Full time FdSc BSc BSc top-up Total Part-time HNC FdSc BSc top-up Total

2 Fee income 2014/15 based on estimated number of full-time students Fee Regime No of students Fee Total Basic Regulated Fee New fee level from 2014 entry 209 6,000 1,254, ,250 1,268,750 The additional fee income will be 175 x 1250 which equals 218,750. Up to 30% of this additional fee income will be used to support outreach activities and bursaries. This expenditure will be at a maximum 65,625. C Priorities for Widening Participation Expenditure. The priorities for widening participation have been reviewed as 2012/13 data has become available, and, in particular the decline in part-time enrolments is viewed as significant. As 88% of students enrolled on part-time courses are aged 21 and above this has also meant a reduction in mature students. On full-time courses the split remains at around 50% of under 21s and 50% of over 21s. The focus is, therefore, on part-time mature students who undertake vocational higher education courses. Over the last three years the proportion of students with a learning difficulty and/or disability has increased from 12% to 19% and this has meant an increase in demand for support prior and during study. The staff resource available has been increased by 100% in order to provide pre-study help with applications for DSA, and ensure that support with academic assessments are in place. Students who have declared a learning difficulty or disability are statistically as likely to complete their studies successfully as students who do declare a learning difficulty/disability at any time during their studies. The proportion of students from low-participating neighbourhoods is at about 26% in the current year. The College recruits from Northamptonshire and surrounding counties largely where there are particular pockets of low-participation as identified from the HEFCE analysis. The College also recruits a higher percentage of further education students from these areas as, in some subjects, the majority of students do not have A* to C grades at GCSE so they begin their level 2 studies on vocational courses that have practical activities as part of the learning process. Whilst we have not yet quantified the educational progression of these students they have every opportunity to take a vocational route through to higher education. This explains the priority of encouraging apprentices to undertake higher level courses and the introduction of higher level apprenticeships that provide progression to Level 6 studies. The outcome statistics for the 2011/12 academic year saw growth in the percentage of students retained and progression from level 4 to level 5. The retention statistic is recorded by our university partner at 94%, but a much lower percentage of 73% were able to progress following the first exam board. This explains the expenditure outline in Annexes B and C in that expenditure on student success and outreach activities are in excess of the percentage for financial support. 2

3 The College s stated priorities are To maintain the proportion of minority ethnic students as at least 17% of the higher education student population. To continue work with students who achieve vocational qualifications to encourage them into higher education. To encourage and support applicants and students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to achieve at higher education level. To encourage mature students i.e. those over 21 to continue to view higher education courses as educational opportunities to enhance their employability. D Financial Support National Scholarship Programme As the College is charging above the regulated fee for the first time since the new funding regime began in 2012, the scheme will support 15 awards for full-time students of 3,000 and 12 awards for part-time students of 2,000. The students will continue to receive the same value of awards in their second year of study subject to no changes in their personal circumstances. The bursaries will be used for fee waivers or reduction in fees and, where applicable, discounted accommodation. The nationally set criteria will be used with a further set of priorities if demand is in excess of supply with priority in order for Students with a registered disability Students who are previously looked after children/in care Students who have previously received support for study Students who have dependents under the age of 18 Students who are classed as independent for funding purposes Bursaries 1,000 cash bursary for students who enter with an advanced apprenticeship or a National Vocational Qualification at level 3.This in their first year of study and will be paid in 2 sums of 500 on 1 st December and 1 st March subject to engagement demonstrated by attendance. 1,000 cash bursary for students who enter with high grades as defined by HEFCE in their first year of study. This will be paid in 2 sums of 500 on 1 st December and 1 st March subject to engagement demonstrated by attendance 500 fee waiver for part-time students not funded by any other means e.g. employers based on residual household income below 30,000. General bursary based on house hold income: Residual income of below 25,000 per year - 1,000 Residual income of below 42,600 per year This will be paid in 2 sums of 500/ 250 on 1 st December and 1 st March subject to engagement demonstrated by attendance 3

4 These will only be available to students who are not made an award as part of the National Scholarship Programme. The general bursary will only be available to students who do not receive any other award as outlined above. E Outreach The College has a long history of school partnerships including the provision of specialist vocational programmes for students who are that are delivered on the College s campuses across the county of Northamptonshire. This work offers school students the opportunity to study in a College atmosphere and develop an understanding of level 3 vocational courses that can lead to undergraduate study. The College has a centre that works with school students from early years to Key Stage 5 in order to provide specific areas of curriculum that are related to environmental studies in order to support the development of an interest in Science. This provides an opportunity to talk about what the College does with school students and teachers including higher level courses. The College has a schools partnership manager who, for ten years, has been the organiser for our various partnership activities with schools. In 2012/13 academic year we have promoted our activities to 270 primary and 80 secondary schools. Some of our planned activities are aimed at encouraging participation in higher education as shown below. We also encourage year olds who study vocational education at the College to go on to further qualifications that mean they have the entrance requirements for university study. As this is our first agreement since the 2012 changes we are now planning some targeted activity with schools in post-codes where there is low take up of higher education that will be planned this summer for the next academic year. In order to reach areas of low participation and educational attainment a little wider afield the College has provided information events in public venues such as shopping centres and local authority sports centres. The College is part of two universities collaborative schemes and has been for a number of years. The College is part of the Colleges University of Leicester Network (CULN) and was a member of the AimHigher group with the University of Northampton. This has now become Aimhigher Northamptonshire Ltd and the collaboration continues. This enables access to a wide group of schools and colleges in the region to raise awareness of joint activities and specific college events. The College is also a member of Landex Land-based Colleges Aspiring to Excellence whose members include specialist universities and colleges. There are agreements for entry to our specialist courses for those completing Access to Higher Education Diplomas in Land-based subjects. This seen as supporting mature students to aim for successful completion of a university-level education. In addition, the following activities are designed to enhance potential applicants knowledge and experience of higher education based in a specialist further education college. Taster days open to school/college students from year 10 upwards to experience further and/or higher education by shadowing a current student for a day. This is advertised regionally as well as through the schools networks with which the College is involved. Visits to schools and colleges a wide offer that sees repeat visits to schools and colleges each year to encourage higher education participation in general and college courses in particular. 4

5 The College has open advice days where experienced college staff can advise about post 16 studies and how choices made for year 12 studies can fit with higher education to support a vocational ambition. Assistance with UCAS applications for students studying at level 3 in the College and applicants who do not currently have an education base. 5

6 F Student Success Inclusion of study skills modules either stand-alone or as part of a student s programme. These study skills will be based on the ones used for Access to Higher Education courses that the College will begin to offer in September Specialised higher education student support staffing and facilities. Students are able to use work-stations in a room with learning support. There are also confidential interview rooms in which students individual needs are discussed. Targeted assistance with claims for Disabled Student Allowance before courses start. All applicants who select the College as their first choice and declare a learning difficulty and/or a disability are invited to have an interview with specialist staff either in person or by telephone to try ensure that support is available from day 1 of the induction programme A personal tutor system is in place that is timetabled for students and staff where individual progress is monitored and any external issues that are impacting on students can be discussed confidentially. G Student Involvement As the College has relatively low numbers of higher education students compared to a university, there is an opportunity to hold student representative forums that include course representatives from every subject area including students on part-time courses. Part-time students clearly felt that the higher fees in 2012/13 had deterred some of their work colleagues who would have liked to join them on courses. This consultation contributed to the lowering of the part-time fee and a little additional financial support for part-time students in 2014/15. The major decisions regarding fees and funding are ratified at the College s Board of Governors where there is student representation. H Equalities The College embeds concepts of equality and diversity in all of its work and has an Equalities Policy that dictates responsibilities for the monitoring of equality and diversity procedures and outcomes. The College achieved the Investor in Diversity Standard at Stage 1 in June 2012 and is currently working towards the full award at Stage 2. In addition, Moulton has been recognised as an Investor in People organisation since The Equality Policy is the responsibility of the Deputy Principal, Curriculum and Quality and, ultimately, the Principal. Outcomes are monitored by the College s Equality Committee, chaired by the Deputy Principal, Curriculum and Quality. This committee has student representation, and will monitor the targets and milestones. These are then reported to the Academic Board and the Board of Governors, both of which have student representation. This body will also agree the evaluation strategy that will relate to our work in widening participation and student success and achievement. This is being devised 6

7 in order to relate activities undertaken to the College s key priorities on page 3. Whilst there is some ability to review statistical evidence in the support of the priorities, it is recognised that this needs to be reviewed in the light of qualitative feedback from target groups. There is scope within the College to gain insights from under 18 students about attitudes to higher education and relate this to geographical areas of low-participation to draw conclusions about any initiatives that could encourage them to begin a university-level course. The processes of evaluation will be reviewed to assess how this helps target future expenditure. I Information for Prospective Students Detailed information about fees and funding will be available on the College s website and its links with the UCAS web-site. Details about fees and funding is also sent to applicants routinely as they are all invited to attend applicant events where they can discuss fees and funding with specialist staff as well has have a 1 to 1 discussion with a tutor who teaches on the course. J Responsibility for the Access Agreement Responsibility for this access agreement lies with the Director Higher Education as a member of the Senior Management Team. 7

8 OFFA Access Agreement 2014/15 - Annexes B & C Institution name: Moulton College Institution UKPRN: Table 5 - Milestones and targets Table 5a - Statistical milestones and targets relating to your applicants, entrants or student body (e.g. HESA, UCAS or internal targets) Number Please select milestone/target type from the drop down menu Description (500 characters maximum) Is this a collaborative target? Baseline year Baseline data Yearly milestones/targets (numeric where possible, however you may use text) Commentary on your milestones/targets or textual description where numerical description is not appropriate (500 characters maximum) 1 Ethnicity 2 Mature 3 Disabled Completion/Non continuation (other - 4 please give details in the next column) 5 Mature 6 Part-time To maintain at least 17% of student population from minority ethnic groups No 2012/13 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% % To grow the number of applicants with NVQ level 3 and/or an advanced apprenticships No 2012/ To grow the proportion of students with a declared learning difficulty/disbaility No 2012/13 19% 21% 22% 25% 25% 25% 25% To improve progression from level 4 to level 5 No 2011/12 73% 78% 83% 85% 85% 85% 85% To increase the number of mature students from 48% of full-time students No 2012/13 48% 51% 53% 55% 55% 55% 55% To reverse the decline in part-time students No 2012/ Table 5b - Other milestones and targets Alongside applicant and entrant targets, we encourage you to provide targets around your outreach work (including collaborative outreach work where appropriate) or other initiatives to illustrate your progress towards increasing access. These should be measurable outcomes based targets and should focus on the number of pupils reached by a particular activity/programme, or number of schools worked with, and what the outcomes were, rather than simply recording the nature/number of activities. Number Please select milestone/target type from the drop down menu Description (500 characters maximum) Is this a collaborative target? Baseline year Baseline data Yearly milestones/targets (numeric where possible, however you may use text) Commentary on your milestones/targets or textual description where numerical description is not appropriate (500 characters maximum) 1 Outreach / WP activity (other - please give details in the next column) 2 Student support services Young people in years 10 to 13 are offered the opportunity to shadow a student for a day. Inormation about higher education generally is available as well as College provision No 2011/12 12 occurances 16 occurances 20 occurences 24 occurances 24 occurances 24 occurences 24 occurances Expert advice available at open days to support applicnats with learning difficulties and disabilities No 2011/12 This activity will be monitored in order to identify the number of applicants with a declared learning difficulty/disability who have their support in place from day 1 of induction. Although this appears to support a numerical target, the perceived quality of the support provided as defined by the students is the appropriate measure

9 Outreach / WP activity (other - please 3 give details in the next column) 4 Other (please give details in the next column) Information, advice and guidance for students who are studying at level 3 at the College to encourage higher edcuation entry. This monitored by the % of level 3 students who make applications via UCAS for any higher education course No 2012/13 37% 37% 45% 50% 50% 50% 50% Development and marketing of Access to Higher Eductaion courses in the college's specialist subjects to improve taake-up by mature students No 2012/ Optional commentary on milestones. This box is character-limited to 1000 characters; however, we are happy for you to upload additional supporting information as a separate Word/pdf document.