Higher York:an update

Presentation to University of York Council, 6 March 2009

Colin MellorsJessica Grant (Director, Higher York)

Higher York: Origins & Milestones

2001: Tripartite Agreement (UoY, YSJ, York College) supported by HEFCE (£50k)

2002: Formal Launch, also including Askham Bryan and CoYC

2005: Established as first HEFCE Lifelong Learning Network (circa £925k)

2006: Selected to host National LLN Forum

2007: Supplementary Funding from HEFCE (£595k)

2009: Completion of HEFCE-funded phase

Why Lifelong Learning Networks?

Facilitating progression of vocational learners into higher education through:

• Developing curricula to facilitate progression – foundation degrees, work-based learning, e-learning, collaborative modules

• Ensuring appropriate information, advice and guidance (IAG) and learner support systems

• Production of progression agreements that set out agreement on credit and the expectations of learners

Regional LLNs

Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull Cheshire and Warrington Coventry and Warwickshire Cumbria Higher Learning (in development)Greater Manchester Greater Merseyside and West Lancashire Hereford and Worcestershire Higher York Kent and MedwayLancashireLeap Ahead Linking London MOVE – East of England North East Higher Skills NetworkProgress South CentralProgress 2 Succeed Skills for Sustainable Communities

South East London South London South West South Yorkshire Staffordshire, Shropshire, Stoke on

Trent, Telford and the Wrekin Sussex Learning Network The Creative Way (Thames Gateway)West London West Yorkshire Western Vocational Yorkshire and Humber East

National LLNsNational Arts Learning NetworkVetnet National Rural

Taking Stock

• Major HEFCE initiative – one of responses to widening participation agenda

• £103m HEFCE investment• 31 LLNs involving 120 HEIs and >300 FE colleges

• Added investment through Additional Student Numbers

(ASNs)• Ensuring the legacy and, for Higher York, building on the

opportunity

Higher York’s Approach

• Keep it simple• Modest budget and core team (sustainability)• Explicit about where collaboration aligns with (and

does not distract from) institutional missions• Identifies what each partner brings to, and each

expects from the partnership• Realistic about the ‘no go’ areas

Keen to:

……under-promise and over-deliver

Higher York Achievements

• Access to higher education – progression opportunities, new curriculum.

• Improved information, advice and guidance.• Student support.• Student voice and engagement.• Community Engagement.

Higher York Achievements

• Employer engagement• Links with local schools• Improved links with the City of York Council• Local, regional and national profile

How has the University benefitted ?

LLNs are primarily about learners and expanding the opportunities available to them, but in addition:

• £3.2m funding for new student places over 3 years• £247k capital funding• £20k project funding

• Contributed to the positive profile of the University and students in the local community

• Platform for school engagement and progression to the University

How has the University benefitted ?

• Support for student access and diversity• Platform for funding bids where a local partnership

structure is beneficial to the University• Central Higher York team

• In short, we have met (and in most cases considerably exceeded) all the HEFCE targets. We now look forward to the next phase for Higher York….

Higher York: Where Next?

• Sustainability, simplicity and serving institutional missions have always been core……which is leading towards a membership-based arrangement from January 2010

• Although it will retain focus on enhancing progression opportunities, there will be the opportunity for a mission that is more clearly targeted on institutional priorities

Core Mission

a) Facilitating access to higher-level learning, progression and provision through innovative joint-working

b) Underpin the economic and social agendas of City of York and adjacent areas

c) Exploit other opportunities for mutual benefit between partners

Key Strands

• Progression and curriculum– expanding learning opportunities and facilitating progression

• Skills and employability– equipping those entering and already in the workforce

• Learner needs– helping more effective support provision

• Promoting HE in the City– contributing to cohesion and capturing the civic contribution of

students and staff

• Collaborative opportunities (inc international)– securing effectiveness and efficiency through appropriate

collaboration

Concluding Thoughts

• Higher York has delivered against targets – and met learner, HEFCE and partner expectations

• Opportunity to build upon platform established to make stronger contribution to City’s economic and social agendas

• In terms of UoY, Higher York has been purposeful, proportionate and productive