Press release
1 December 2005
Dual role for OFFA says Director of Fair Access
Supporting universities and colleges in the delivery of their own plans for fair access as well as carrying out appropriate monitoring, will be two of OFFA's main priorities going forward, according to Sir Martin Harris, Director of OFFA.
Speaking today about the publication of OFFA's Strategic Plan 2005-10, Sir Martin Harris outlined his strategic aims for the next five years:
'I'm delighted to publish OFFA's strategic plan. The introduction of variable fees in 2006 will no doubt bring about a change in the HE landscape. Whilst it is important for OFFA to monitor the progress of institutions' fair access measures without adding to the burdens on them, it will be equally important during this time to support the sector by building expertise and developing good practice in the area of bursaries and the provision of financial information for prospective students.
'As 2006 fast approaches, the attention is already shifting from the decisions made by institutions about levels of bursaries, to the decisions made by the students themselves about where to apply. It will therefore be a main priority for institutions to ensure the clarity and accessibility of financial information for prospective students, their parents/carers and advisers, and it will remain a key objective for OFFA to support institutions in this work.'
Notes to editors
1. The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) is an independent, non departmental public body which aims to promote and safeguard fair access to higher education for under-represented groups in light of the introduction of variable tuition fees in 2006-07. OFFA is led by the Director of Fair Access, Sir Martin Harris.
2. Electronic copies of the OFFA Strategic Plan 2005-10 (December 2005/03) are available on the OFFA web site or hard copies are available free of charge upon request. Contact the OFFA press office on tel. 0117 931 7272 or press@offa.org.uk.
Last updated 1 December 2005