Aimhigher Northamptonshire is working with partner schools, colleges and work-based learning providers on a range of activities to widen and increase participation in higher education. The focus is on developing a systematic programme of activities, with interventions to raise aspirations and attainment among the target groups from the age of 13. Curriculum enrichment activities, such as masterclasses have been developed and providing successful vocational residentials programmes. In the colleges, activity focuses on adults on Access Courses as well as younger learners are encouraging.
A range of initiatives are being developed to promote vocational progression opportunities, including support for the development of Foundation Degrees. The curriculum mapping exercise was successfully completeted and focuses on progression from Level 3 to higher education. This has proved to be a valuable resource for identifying and make recommendations and for progression routes for further provision in Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Aimhigher also participates in National and Regional projects e.g. Health Care and Chemistry and is leading the region in IAG activities. Partnership activity with the Learning and Skills Council, Northamptonshire Partnership, Northamptonshire Learning Partnership, Learndirect, Connexions, IAG, Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire EBLO, Northamptonshire Training and Development Partnership, Further Education Colleges, Schools, Corby and the Northampton Excellence Clusters and University College Northampton cover a wide range of projects.
Aimhigher - The View from Northamptonshire
In Northamptonshire partners from Higher Education, Further Education, Schools, Excellence Challenge, the NCC, Connexions, the Northamptonshire Learning and Skills Council (NLSC) and others, have welcomed the opportunity to bring together the Aimhigher programme strands formally operating under P4P and Education Action Zone.
The Area Steering Group prepared a plan to reflect its commitment to a view of higher education that recognises diversity and flexibility of HE programmes, and different patterns of progression and participation for individuals. Whilst the plan intends that a growing proportion of young people will engage in post-16 education leading to A levels (or equivalent) studied at school or FE College, and onto traditional 3 year honours degree programmes, in the Aimhigher Plan we wish to give particular emphasis to participation in vocational, work-based and flexible higher education. The aim is to see increasing numbers engaging with higher education through part-time study, and more young people progressing from work-based or vocational programmes into flexible and work-based higher education. (Much of the current and planned expansion of higher education will be in Foundation Degrees and Diplomas). These programmes are designed to meet employer needs and address skills shortages and gaps. Delivery will make use of credit accumulation principles, distance and e-learning, with programmes delivered collaboratively by HEIs, FECs employers and training providers - this should make higher education more accessible to under-represented groups. In order to make this a reality, we feel it is vital to map progression routes, identify gaps and barriers to participation for these groups. Aimhigher Northamptonshire plans to address these priorities.
