Common use of Outreach work Clause in Contracts

Outreach work. Participation with success is the primary goal of the University’s Widening Participation Strategy. We believe that access to higher education only has real value if those students who are recruited into the University continue and succeed in their studies. However, some students do not complete their awards and the improvement of retention rates is an institutional priority; the University has set a target to reduce non continuation rates to at or below the benchmark over the period of the Access Agreement. The University has a well developed culture of strong student support and aims to provide a high quality system of pastoral, personal and academic support for all students. Such support is viewed by the University as of central importance in encouraging students from underrepresented groups to study at the University in the knowledge that a wide range of support mechanisms exist. Pre and post entry support is provided through a range of initiatives and students are made aware of the systems of pastoral and personal support in the University through pre-entry events and activities. The Summer University enables students to access a number of learning skills courses designed to support preparation for university and their progression and success between different levels of study. Dyslexia and disability support is well developed and at confirmation and clearing, counsellors are available to provide students with advice on the support systems available. We intend to invest further to enhance the capacity of these activities. For students studying through partner colleges, the sector’s small group sizes and extensive experience of working with disadvantaged groups and students with specific learning needs ensure that students recruited to programmes delivered in the FE sector are intensely supported. For the benefit of internal students, the University intends to invest a significant proportion of anticipated new fee income recruiting additional academic staff to reduce staff- student ratios and on that basis to further improve our learning and teaching and tutorial support services. Investment will also be put into enhanced learning and skill support on all programmes and through an extension of Summer School and Summer University programmes in specific subject areas. A range of activities currently takes place with mature learners, this includes adult guidance work through the office of Student Affairs, a range of Access open days, for example Access to health, and taster days which are open to all mature learners. The Summer University programme provides bridging and pre-entry support for mature learners and weekly study skill sessions are provided which are accessed by a wide range of students. The University also runs two mature student open days. It will be the intention to build on this work to increase support for Access and mature students and to enhance education guidance for mature learners. The University proposes to appoint an education liaison officer with a particular focus on access and advice and guidance for mature learners, a mature student society, mature student helpline and a special induction for mature students will also be established. A member of staff will be appointed to deal specifically with the learning enhancement agenda. Additional pre-entry support will be provided through further development of the University’s Passport Programme with its emphasis on preparing for higher education and learning and study skills for post 16 learners. New subject specific Summer Schools and FE Summer Schools are also planned.