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Exploring historical trends in widening participation: what can we learn from data on the uptake of OU courses in deprived areas of the UK
Dr Terry Di Paolo
Dr Jonathan Hughes
CWP Conference June 2010
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Purpose of research
• The OU needs to have a better understanding of the context and impact of its own WP work– Part of the Open University’s activity centred on
Eccleshill• Explore ways in which OU could learn more about the:
– Impact of WP work– Aspirations in the community– Agents/networks influencing aspiration and access
• Look at ways in which we can better understand the local (in particular the OU) effect
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Eccleshill• 1 of 30 wards in
Metropolitan District of Bradford
• 2001 Census population 16, 769
• 95% White• 40% aged 16+
have no formal qualifications
Figure 1: Ward boundaries in Bradford Metropolitan District with Eccleshill highlighted.
© Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. All rights reserved. Source: Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
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Exploring local deprivation• Use the Indices of Multiple
Deprivation (2007)• Offers comparison across
England using government data
• IMD segments England into 32, 428 LSOAs
• Reports on seven deprivation domains– income
– employment
– health and disability
– education, skills and training
– barriers to housing and services
– crime
– living environment
Figure: Overall deprivation in Eccleshill from IMD 2007© Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey. All rights reserved. Source: Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
Partner Closeout Meeting Feb 2010
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Eccleshill in the context of England
LSOA National Rank
Ravenscliffe 433
Upper Fagley 797
Greengates 905
Eccleshill Village (Stonegate) 1983
Greengates and Thorpedge 3229
Eccleshill Village (Victoria Road)
6143
Fagley South 9648
Eccleshill Village (The Mount) 10324
Fagley North 11651
Eccleshill (the Delph) 12167
Eccleshill Village (Pullan Avenue)
17832
LSOA National Rank
Ravenscliffe 58
Greengates 169
Eccleshill Village (Stonegate) 1024
Upper Fagley 1199
Greengates and Thorpedge 1878
Eccleshill Village (Victoria Road)
4479
Eccleshill Village (The Mount) 5620
Fagley North 6119
Eccleshill (the Delph) 9131
Fagley South 9377
Eccleshill Village (Pullan Avenue)
12348
Rank of overall deprivation score Rank of education, training and skills deprivation score
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IMD 2007 data
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Raven
scliff
e
Gre
engat
es
Eccle
shill
Village
(Sto
negat
e)
Upper
Fag
ley
Gre
engat
es a
nd T
horp
edge
Eccle
shill
Village
(Vict
oria
Road)
Eccle
shill
Village
(The
Mou
nt)
Fagle
y Nor
th
Eccle
shill
(the
Delph)
Fagle
y Sout
h
Eccle
shill
Village
(Pul
lan A
venu
e)
No HE Adults (25-54) No/Low Quals
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Engagement with the OU• 207 “students” in total
since 1971• 60% female• Mean age approx 30• 20% at least 1 A-level or
equivalent• 10% have past HE
experience
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A closer look at recruitment• 43% - 90 students did not progress past registration or reservation
on a module. • 14% - 30 students failed or did not achieve a pass on the first
course they studied and subsequently ended their studies. • 28 completed two or more modules – less than half continuing• 38 students completed and at least one module but only 10
students appeared to be continuing with their studies. • 8 students ended their studies when they experienced their first
fail• 7 Graduates
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Interviews with adults –exploring the ‘now’
• Informants included– 3 Openings Students – 3 non-Openings
Students. – One informal group
interview with 8 non-Openings Students taking an adult literacy class
• All those interviewed were female
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Adults: an overview of the findings
• Deprivation linked to not going on to higher education and no/low formal qualifications
• The Open University is making a difference – but why do so few complete their studies with a degree?
• A few are uncomfortable about going into colleges – preferring more familiar places.
• Families help and hinder learning. Their encouragement and support, financial and emotional is vital.
• Openings courses are for people with no qualifications. The level is still too high for people who left school at the age of 16 with no qualifications.
Two key questionsIs there value in looking at local historical trends?• Provides useful insights• Builds on anecdotal evidence
What are the challenges of trend analysis?