Current institutional performance. The University has an outstanding and sustained track record in achieving an inclusive profile of student participation. Along with this the University has maintained student retention and success performance which compares well with many institutions with significantly less inclusive patterns of student participation. The University has performed consistently well against the HEFCE/HESA Performance Indicator (PI) measures over the period of the current Widening Participation Strategic Assessment (WPSA), achieving or exceeding most of its targets or enhancing its position against the 2004/05 baseline identified for previous Access Agreements and the WPSA. It also performs well above HEFCE benchmarks in many instances, though there is an exception, in line with the sector more generally, in respect of participation from social classes 4-7. This record is summarised in the Table 1 below. Table 1: Sheffield Hallam University performance against HEFCE benchmarks 2004/5 - 2009/10 for Young Full-time Undergraduate Entrants 2004/05 2009/10 Performance Indicator University baseline HEFCE benchmark University position HEFCE benchmark Outcome State school entrants* 95% 92% 97% 94% = +3% Low participation area* 18% 18% 18% 16% +2% SEC class 4 - 7* 31% 35% 34% 37% = -3% Retention (not in HE) 8% 9% 6% 8% +2% Notes: The * HEFCE benchmark figures used here are 'location adjusted.' The University's performance for mature students from low participation areas with no previous HE qualification is 4% above benchmark. Similarly, the retention performance for mature students is also 4% above benchmark. This strong and sustained track record of delivering and maintaining significant levels of participation from those groups traditionally under-represented in higher education is further reinforced by the level of widening participation premium provided to the University. Further detailed analysis of current performance is provided in sections 3.1 and 3.2 below.
Current institutional performance. The satisfaction and success of our students is central to our approach and we measure this through a range of key performance indicators. We have seen significant progress in terms of the percentage of students expressing satisfaction with both their overall satisfaction and with the quality of teaching on their course as measured by the National Student Survey, which has risen from 78% in 2010 to 85% in 2012. Equally the percentage of our students graduating with Good Honours improves year on year and we have exceeded our 2015 strategic plan KPI target. As our performance has improved, so has our HESA benchmark target and we continue to aim to exceed this. The percentage of our graduates in graduate level jobs, at 63.1% is below the sector average of 69.3%. This is part reflects the nature of our portfolio, which contains relatively low levels of teacher and healthcare professional education, for example, and relatively high levels in courses in creative and related areas. We have developed and implemented a systematic approach to enhance graduate employability. Our more focused and effective outreach programme will impact positively on our participation rates of those under-represented in higher education over the next couple of years and we aim to fulfil our strategic plan KPI for 2015 to match or exceed each of our HESA widening participation performance indicators. Participation of under-represented groups in HE – young full time UG From State School/College From NS-SEC classes 4, 5, 6 & 7 From Low Participation Neighbourhoods (POLAR2) Percentage Location Adjusted Benchmark Percentage Location Adjusted Benchmark Percentage Location Adjusted Benchmark 2006/07 92.6 93.4 32.5 36.6 14.6 15.8 2011/12 93.1 95.0 32.4 37.8 13.3 17.0 We continue to outperform our location adjusted benchmark across all categories in relation to non-continuation as set out in the table below. Non-continuation following year of entry – full time first degree Young entrants Mature entrants All entrants % not in HE Benchmark % not in HE Benchmark % not in HE Benchmark 2005/06 7.8 8.8 11.2 16.2 8.7 10.7
