ACCESS AGREEMENT Institution: Petroc, a College of Further and Higher Education. Contact for Access Agreement: Pené Prior Post held: Deputy Principal and Director for Quality and Performance Telephone number: 01884 325237 E-mail address: p.prior@petroc.ac.uk Context/Introduction PETROC is a General Further Education / Tertiary College offering a wide range of courses across all levels and all abilities. Our mission statement is: To drive forward educational, economic and cultural success by continually raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, communities and businesses. In 2010 the College underwent the Integrated Quality Enhancement Review with QAA and received full confidence with 11 areas of good practice being identified. This excellent result builds on the wide range of accolades the College had already achieved since its inception in 1993. Petroc has held Beacon status since 2002 and was designated as Good by Ofsted in 2012. The College has Investor in People (iip) status, and the matrix accreditation for advice and guidance which is due to be reaccredited this month. It is the largest college in Devon. There are a range of superb new facilities and buildings that offer excellent learning resources and a high quality learning experience for students. Petroc is in the process of establishing a University Centre at our Brannams Campus in North Devon with dedicated HE Library and Information Technology support, HE social spaces and HE teaching spaces; and has recently introduced a Foundation Degree at our Mid Devon Campus. Petroc draws students from a wide range of academic backgrounds with at least 85% coming from in county. In an average year circa 85% of our students are in receipt of the full maintenance grant and in 2012/13 as many as 20% have declared that they have additional learnings needs. However, even with this entry profile in October 2012 144 students achieved higher education awards and many attended the graduation ceremony at St Peter s Church, Barnstaple. In 2012/13 Petroc enrolled approximately 342 full-time HE students and around 53 part-time. Of these 33 are direct entry students. In terms of FE the College enrolled over 3500 16 19 year old students plus approximately 10,000 students on a range of part-time programmes. 1
The co-ordinated and sustained growth of Higher Education at the College has been supported by Plymouth University (PU). Higher Education has developed by building on our strong FE provision. The College is proud of our widening participation activities and the range of students who achieve higher education qualifications as a result of excellent local provision. Internal progression counts for around 60% of our intake, many of whom progress from vocational courses. On average 85% of enrolments come from within Devon with approximately 55% being over 21 years and 45% aged 18 20 years. Petroc provides high levels of learning support and welcomes applicants from all abilities. Learners are assessed and supported to apply for a Disabled Student Allowance via Student Finance England where appropriate. In 2012/13 62 learners applied for and successfully received the Disabled Student Allowance. Learners not entitled to DSA support, but due to their educational history may need to access further literacy/language/ict or numeracy support are able to do so via the Additional Learning Support Team. Study Support sessions are provided to support learners through the dedicated HE learning resource centre staff. The entry requirements for our Foundation Degrees are 80-160 UCAS points. Students aged over 21 years are considered on an individual basis. Purpose of ACCESS Agreement The purpose of our Access agreement is to support students from the most deprived areas across the county to achieve to the best of their ability. Whilst we don t qualify for Convergence, under the 2014-2020 programme, Devon does qualify for Transition status, which is because our GDP per capita is less than 90% of the EU average, but more than 80%. The HE data Map shows that the proportion of 15 year olds who progressed into HE for the whole of the South West by age 19 during the 2005/06 and 2010/11 academic years is 32%. (HEFCE data 2014) This Access agreement will set out how Petroc aims to sustain and improve access and student success among all of our students and in particular those from underrepresented groups. Our main focus for this agreement is to improve success, achievement and retention. Many areas across Devon have high levels of unemployment and predominantly seasonal and part-time employment, high levels of deprivation result from low basic household incomes and low aspirations for higher education. An analysis of postcode data against HEFCE data maps showing participation rates in HE by district shows that participation in HE from the overwhelming majority of wards in the North Devon, Torridge and Mid Devon area which we serve is well below 32% South West figure, with particular wards in Bideford, Forches and Whiddon Valley, Ilfracombe Central, Yeo Valley, Cullompton South and Westexe where young people s HE participation is below 21%. Both these constituencies would be priority areas for outreach activities. 2
In 2011/12 75% of our students were in receipt of the full maintenance grant. Additionally in 2012/13 as many as 20% of our new intake declared that they have additional learnings needs. Level of fees This is the first OFFA agreement presented by Petroc and the central principle behind this proposal is to be in a stronger position to support the success and retention of our students, particularly those from WP background. The following agreement follows the headings as suggested by OFFA. Fees: New entrants commencing a full time Higher Education programme from September 2015 will be subject to fees of 6250 per year. Programmes include part time honours programmes, top up degrees, foundation degrees and HNCs. The College currently has 33 directly funded students and 420 indirectly funded students through Plymouth University. The fee charged will be the same across both cohorts of students. Access and student success measures: The College has maintained a low entry requirement of 80 UCAS points or above to encourage as wide an application as possible from students (note 70% of our students are in county). The wide entry gate coupled with smaller group sizes enables the College to cater for a wide range of students from very different backgrounds. However, with the change to the fee structure for HE the College will need to review class size, teaching hours and wider students support. Evidence collected from first years at induction in 2012 shows that students appreciate the intimacy of a College learning environment and by increasing our fees it should be possible to maintain our smaller group sizes. The smaller group sizes and interaction with staff allow us to support students from a wide range of backgrounds into and through HE. The College has a rigorous interview process that considers all applicants and particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds without formal level 3 qualifications but with a wide range of relevant work experience (specifically those over 21). We monitor student success at course level and at College level to ensure that any weaknesses can be picked up and dealt with quickly. Our Higher Education learners are all supported by a personal tutor system which provides both academic progress support and pastoral care. We also have trained staff to manage the disability access scheme. Previously our main aim has been to attract students into higher education; Working with the NSP our approach has been to offer direct financial support with tuition fees. With the demise of NSP and with an OFFA agreement our intention is to shift the balance from direct financial support at enrolment to support based on student success rates from 7% to 21% and progression from 8% to 12%. Direct financial support declines from 545 to 18%. Our thrust for increasing fees is to provide greater support for students in regards to student success and by association improve retention. 3
While we monitor and evaluate our targets and milestones carefully it is not always easy to see direct results as sometimes students who have been involved with raising aspiration activities progress to HEIs other than the College or Plymouth University. We are always conscious that we wish to provide opportunities for all students no matter what their background or experience. We actively promote Equality and Diversity as a College and we are working towards the Equality Standard and are aiming to gain accreditation in 2014/15 academic year. We are very conscious that the provision of information to prospective students is accurate and accessible. We have recently been developing our website and social media sites to reach a wider audience and to make information more readily available. We hold an HE Open day once a year for all prospective students to come and see the College and meet the staff. We also run a number of College Open Days and Open Evenings for potential students whether HE or FE. Petroc have a high percentage of students from under-represented backgrounds. The College is focusing on providing additional support in a number of different ways to help these students. We have a Student Support Officer for HE based in our Additional Learning Support Office. We have dedicated HE staff based in our Learning Resource Centre. We generally encourage small group teaching to support those less able students and where progression arrangements to a top-up allow, we embed a variety of coursework across a programme to ensure students gain a range of academic graduate skills. The College has a traffic light system in place to identify at risk courses and by association at risk students. The College is currently working with students to identify areas where additional support can best be placed to support better retention and greater success. Students who begin a full-time course part way through an academic year will only have to pay a fee proportionate to the remainder of their tuition for that year. This could occur when a student transfers from a part-time to a full-time programme. Consulting with students In terms of consulting with students about fees the College carried out focus groups of first year students. Students were asked why they choose to study their HE at Petroc. The majority choose the North Devon location due to local employment and domestic circumstances, followed by course content. The student voice is an important aspect of higher education at the College. We have a student representation system and a student ambassador system. Student representatives are part of the annual programme monitoring process for courses but also meet regularly as group to discuss wider College issues. The student representation group are used to consult with about developments at the College which reflect on the student experience both academic and social. This year the students have been actively involved in encouraging students to take part in the NSS and SPQ surveys. Our student ambassadors work in a different capacity. They are involved on open days and open evenings to talk to prospective students. Additionally they work with tutor groups in FE 4
to raise the profile of progressing to higher education. Our current student representatives are working closely with Plymouth University Student Union to develop a Student Association at Petroc College that supports all of our HE students. The fee levels for 2014/15 are set out in the table below: For Home and EU students Full time all courses HND/Foundation Degree/Full-time PGCE/Full Degree 2014/15 Tuition Fees Continuers New entrants 5,500 5,750 Part time Charged on a pro-rata basis based on the full time fee. The maximum in any one year will depend on the total number of credits studied but would not exceed 3,835. Permitted real terms fee rises. The College will increase the fee levels in the table above in line with permitted real terms fee rises as determined by the Government. However, it is our intention to decouple the part time fees from the full time fee so that it is no longer pro rata based. Our part time fee will remain below the 6000 threshold. Estimated Student numbers. These include both our directly funded numbers and those funded through the University of Plymouth. For Home and EU students 2014/15 New Continuers Entrants Full time all courses 8 25 Part-time Bursaries and other financial support for students The College is fully committed to widening participation to Higher Education and to ensuring fair access. The bursary arrangements the institution introduced from 2006 are based on two key considerations: 1. The cost of full time higher education to students should not act as an entry barrier to those capable of benefiting from such an education. 2. Income from tuition revenue should be managed to provide direct financial support for students, to enhance their learning and to encourage their progression and achievement. All undergraduate students, including EU and Overseas students on full-time Higher Education programmes will be eligible to apply for a bursary in year 1 of their study and in subsequent years dependent upon continuation of their study. The College will target in the region of 80% of the bursary expenditure to students from low income households. Bursary payments will be administered in the following way and are subject to attendance and fee payment criteria: 5
100% of the Bursary payment is made to eligible students in December each year. This is based on attendance being 80% or above and the students being in receipt of the Maintenance Grant; it is to provide general financial support, and to act as an incentive to assist retention, achievement, and progression between levels of study. Students who enter with an ABB entry profile are entitled to a 500 college bursary. Previously a number of students had been financially supported by the National Scholarship programme, resulting in a significant reduction in the cost of tuition fees, however this programme is due to cease in 2014. College Bursary Full time undergraduate students in receipt of a full maintenance grant 200.00 All other full time students A % depending on how much maintenance grant they receive. Part time students studying full time courses (at least 50%) 0.00 ABB Bursary 500 In addition to bursary arrangements, students may also be eligible for payments under the Access to Learning Fund. The Access to Learning Fund is separate and does not form part of the OFFA agreement. Payments under this fund can provide short term repayable loans, and offer hardship funds in cases of serious financial difficulty. Guidance notes for higher education students seeking payments under this fund are available on the college website and in materials produced by the Learner Services department. Outreach activities It is anticipated that the current extensive range of outreach activities will continue although the College reserves the right to amend this depending upon any changes in widening participation funding. Current activities include: Events and promotional materials intended for mature learners and for nontraditional entrants to Higher Education Aspiration-raising activities targeted at pupils aged 14 years and above including roadshows, visits from our HE Admissions team and master classes Open days and Open evenings held at the College Participation by College staff at open days held at local, regional and national venues Mailshots including promotional materials aimed at encouraging our own Level 3 students to progress onto our higher education provision Visits to local and regional schools, including secondary and colleges 6
A National Citizens Service scheme aimed at raising aspirations in 16-18 year olds. These activities are aimed predominately at pupils and students studying within local schools across Devon and in particular across North Devon. Information on financial support available to students Financial Information Financial information will be made available to all prospective students considering courses coming under this agreement. Such information will be guided by the principles of accessibility, transparency and clarity. Information will summarise the annual and aggregate fee for the chosen course, bursary arrangements, and other sources of financial support available to students. It will also identify the sources from which students can obtain advice regarding the general financial framework applying to students undertaking full time higher education studies, so that they can establish the likely level of debt they will incur by the end of their studies. The institution will provide a full range of financial advice to prospective and current students through the production of fact sheets outlining fee charges and the bursaries available to students with worked examples, through individual interviews and in response to queries received in person, by telephone or by email. Student Services will also provide briefing sessions as part of Open Day events and will be available to give individual advice and guidance. During induction all students will receive a presentation from the Student Services team which will, inter alia, cover issues associated with student finance, student support, careers advice and learning support available. It is the intention of the College that all information relating to costs and means of support for students will be available in the Prospectus and on the college website and accessible via social media. This information is explained verbally during the interview process, supported by the written leaflet, to ensure that applicants are fully informed before they make a decision on whether to accept a place with us. Expenditure of access measures The institution will direct its additional fee revenue to support access measures in the following ways: Through bursary payments to students Through funding to provide additional learning support for students in the form of additional study skills workshops An enriched tutorial system adding to the student experience and supporting employability opportunities Through the outreach activities outlined Institutional milestones linked to success, achievement and retention The institution has established the following milestones and objectives in relation to its higher education provision falling under this access agreement: 7
Retention targets: for 1st year intake from 78% in 2011/12 to 80% in 2014/15 Progression targets: increase internal progression from Petroc College level 3 programmes to our Higher Education programmes by 1% from 70% in 2011/12 to 71% in 2014-15 Improve the annual internal progression rate from foundation degree completers onto the new BA honours degree programmes at Petroc to 18% 2014/15. Widening participation: in 2013 circa 85% of our students came from the local area. Curriculum development: to respond to the identified needs of local employers and students by developing new programmes and offering curriculum flexibility and particularly the development of level 6 programmes that allow students the opportunity to complete a full degree locally Of our total expenditure on access measures only the proportion relating to underrepresented groups will be reflected in our access agreement. Monitoring and Review The institution will undertake annual monitoring of this access agreement to confirm compliance and progress towards the achievement of the milestones it has established. Responsibility for the monitoring report will rest with the co-ordinator for Higher Education. The report will be presented to the College Senior Management Team for approval, and following such approval be sent to the College Governors. The annual monitoring report will be submitted to the Director of OFFA following its approval by the College Governors. The report will be presented to the Senior Management Team at such time as to ensure that OFFA will receive the report by its deadline. The report will incorporate the following sections: Financial data summarising recruitment levels, payment of bursaries, and other financial support made available to students. Outreach activities that have been undertaken during the year and Progression made in meeting institutional targets and milestones. 8
OFFA Access Agreement 2-14/15 Annexes B & C Institution name : Institution UKPRN : 10007063 Table 5 Milestones and Targets Table 5a Statistical milestones and targets relating to your applicants, entrants or student body (eg HESA, UCAS or internal targets). Number Milestone/target type Description Is this a Baseline Baseline Yearly milestones/targets Commentary collaborative year data 2012-2013- 2014-2015- 2016-2017- target? 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9