This seminar focuses on the role of the further education sector in higher education participation and provision in England. Drawing on their recent research, Dr Marion Bowl and Dr Anne Thompson offer insights firstly into what can be learned from the growing body of literature in this field, and secondly, provide detailed insights into what is meant by HE in FE in practice at the present time. They will also address the methodologies that they used in conducting their research.

The contribution of further education and sixth form colleges to widening participation, findings from the Widening Access, Student Retention and Support (WASRS) archive

Dr Marion Bowl, School of Education, University of Birmingham

This presentation will present key findings from a literature synthesis on the contribution of further education colleges. The presentation will focus on a number of key themes: the involvement in formal and informal partnerships; support for progression: awareness-raising, information, advice and guidance; targeting under-represented groups; curriculum initiatives to aid transition and Dual Sector institutions: higher education in further education colleges.

The second part of the presentation will outline the approach to the literature accessed for the synthesis and some of the issues in undertaking syntheses of this nature.

Higher education provision in Further Education Colleges: some findings and methodological considerations

Dr Anne Thompson, Researcher and Consultant

This presentation will draw on evidence from the 2011-12 project commissioned by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) to understand the current nature of higher education (HE) in further education colleges (FECs) in England as well as other sources.  It will consider the nature of HE in FE, how it is funded and accredited, its volume and distribution and whether it is distinctive.  In the second part of the presentation, the methodological difficulties flowing from the diversity of the HE provision in colleges and experienced by the BIS project team and others will be explored.

Speakers

Marion Bowl is Senior Lecturer in Education in the School of Education, University of Birmingham. Her research specialisms are in the field of post-compulsory, adult and informal education and lifelong learning and in participatory and action research approaches. She is a community worker, teacher and academic with over 30 years’ experience of developing, managing and researching adult and community education practice and policy in the U.K., West Africa and New Zealand. She is a member of two research centres which are based in the School of Education: the Centre for International Education and Research (CIER) and the Centre for Higher Education Equity and Access (CHEEA).

Anne Thompson is an Associate Member of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Sheffield.  She worked in the further education sector for many years and was Vice Principal of Waltham Forest College, a general FE college in London.  During her time in FE and since she has worked on a range of projects related to Access to Higher Education and access and widening participation and has specialised in HE/FE relationships and HE provision in FE colleges.  She coordinated the team conducting fieldwork in 25 colleges for the BIS commissioned project Understanding Higher Education in Further Education Colleges, BIS Research Paper Number 69, June 2012.

Event booking details

To reserve a place at this seminar please register at http://www.srhe.ac.uk/events/or telephone +44 (0) 207 427 2350.   SRHE events are open to all and free to SRHE members as part of their membership package. The delegate fee for non-members is £45. Non-members wishing to join the Society may do so at the time of registration and the delegate fee will be waived. Please note that places must be booked in advance and that a £45 fee for non-attendance will be charged if a place has been reserved but no notice of cancellation/non-attendance has been given in advance.

Lily Ilic
Research Administrator
Centre for Higher Education Equity and Access (CHEEA)
University of Birmingham
School of Education
Birmingham
B15 2TT

Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3294, Fax: +44 (0)121 414 7444

Email: [email protected]

CHEEA Webpage: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/education/cheea/index.aspx

Maps and Directions Webpage: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/contact/directions/edgbaston-directions.aspx