Update on access agreements for 2012-13
Outreach, collaborative working and the National Scholarship Programme
To: Managers responsible for access agreements
Introduction
We are aware of anxieties in the sector about the timings of changes for 2012-13. As you know, we are aiming to give you detailed guidance on 2012-13 access agreements as soon as we are able. In the meantime, we wanted to share some broad thinking with you on various key aspects of 2012-13 access agreements. You should read this guidance note in the context of both the Secretary of State’s draft guidance[1] to us (published 7 December 2010) and our recent guidance note[2] on the expected timings for 2012-13 access agreements .
Stronger focus on well-targeted outreach
In the light of OFFA research published in September 2010, we believe that well-targeted, long-term outreach which boosts attainment and aspirations among disadvantaged young people is a more effective way of widening access than precise amounts of bursary support. We are therefore committed to ensuring that access agreements secure additional investment in well-targeted, long term outreach that both widens participation in higher education and improves access to the most selective universities. This means we would expect an increased emphasis on outreach spending from 2012-13, with a smaller proportion of access agreement expenditure committed to bursaries and other financial support, particularly where such financial support is loosely targeted.
Collaborative working between institutions
We recognise that collaborative working between institutions is an important element of delivering long-term outreach and that co-ordinating outreach activity with schools and colleges offers many benefits, increasing coverage and avoiding duplication.
In his draft guidance to us on the expected approach to access agreements from 2012, the Secretary of State wrote: “Many institutions already do much effective collaborative work on widening participation. Where this happens, access agreements should build on this and recognition should be given that some access work by one institution may lead to a student applying to courses at a different institution.”
Expenditure on co-operative outreach including expenditure on the networks required to ensure their effectiveness will therefore count towards your access agreement expenditure. We will also consider your efforts and expenditure committed to maintaining capacity for collaborative working including, where appropriate, work currently funded by Aimhigher.
National Scholarship Programme
The Secretary of State’s draft guidance to us makes clear that all those wishing to charge over £6,000 a year in tuition fees will be required to take part in the National Scholarship Programme. The programme is still being designed and the commitment required of different institutions is not yet known. However, we can confirm that matched expenditure against the National Scholarship Programme will also count towards your access agreement expenditure.
More information on the programme will be published in due course.
Targets and milestones
The Secretary of State’s draft guidance to us tells us that in assessing institutions’ progress “outright performance is critical” but goes on to say “you will also want to take account of the effort [institutions devote] to widening participation and fair access activities, including a mix of longer and shorter term initiatives”. Therefore, when approving and assessing access agreements, we will look at targets relating to applications and entrants to your particular institution as well as milestones relating to both the effort and performance of outreach that contributes to widening participation and fair access at a regional or sector level. Such outreach might include activities aimed at lower age groups (i.e. longer-term targets).
[1] http://www.offa.org.uk/press-releases/statement-from-director-of-fair-access-following-new-bis-draft-guidance/
[2] http://www.offa.org.uk/guidance-notes/offa-guidance-on-the-expected-timing-of-access-agreements-for-2012-13-and-information-for-prospective-2012-13-students/