North West Regional College€¦ · Web view5 out of the top 10 most deprived Super Output Areas (SOAs) are in the NWRC catchment area according to the NIMDM data 2017. 54.7% of the

NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN PART ONE

WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN 2020/21 – 2022/23

Institutions are required to submit information under each of the headings below. Please see the guidance notes for help in completing this return.

1.1 Please provide a high level outline of your institution’s Widening Participation policy in Higher Education and how this fits in with the institution’s strategic direction.

NWRC is the main provider of professional and technical education and training in the

North West, covers the geographical area of Derry City & Strabane District Council and

the Limavady district in Causeway Coast & Glens Council. The College plays a central

role in up-skilling and re-skilling the population, through the delivery of a broad range of

courses, leading to qualifications across all levels from entry level to Level 6. One of our

key strengths as a College is that our provision is accessible to a wide variety of learners

in terms of level, subject area and the age group of learners.

The College employs over 718 people across five campuses and has an annual turnover

of £37m. The industry standard learning and teaching facilities on our campuses provide

aspirational environments for learning and we continue to be well placed to take on the

challenge of enhancing the skills set of the population of the city and region.

North West Regional College is central to the socio-economic development of the city,

district and region, and is committed to supporting the NI Programme for government and

the Industrial Strategy in the North West.

The College will continue striving to support social inclusion. We will work with our

community partners to help more of our people develop skills; thereby strengthening the

economy of our city region. Despite the many external challenges facing the region, we

are confident that the priorities set by this College will contribute to the socio and

economic wellbeing of our people through building hope, confidence and prosperity for all.

The College’s Higher Education Strategy reflects the regional priorities on future skills

needs in Northern Ireland as identified in the NI Skills Barometer. The Department for

Employment and Learning’s Higher Education Strategy – Graduating to Success and their

Widening Participation Strategy.

Our City and region serves over 350,000 people with an urban population in excess of

100,000 and covers two NI regional councils.

• Derry City & Strabane District Council

• Causeway Coast & Glens Council (Limavady District)

Our City and region continues to face multiple challenges:

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• NWRC have the highest claimant count in NI and high levels of unemployment.

• 25% of those claiming long term unemployment benefit in Derry City & Strabane

District Council were young people under the age of 25 years, 6% higher than the

NI average 19%.

• The highest rates of economic inactivity amongst the working age population in NI.

• 37.7% of the working age population in DCSDC were economically inactive, the

highest rate of economic inactivity in NI.

• In Causeway Coast & Glens 34.1% of the working age population were

economically inactive representing the second highest rate of economic inactivity

in NI against an NI average of 26%.

• 5 out of the top 10 most deprived Super Output Areas (SOAs) are in the NWRC

catchment area according to the NIMDM data 2017.

• 54.7% of the working age population in the DCSDC area are in employment and

56.7% in CCG, our catchment area once again lags behind the NI average of

69.3% of the population in employment.

• 39% of our regulated enrolments reside within Quintile 1, the most deprived areas

in NI.

(Data Source: LGD Statistician and NIMDN17 www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/nimdm17-results, NWRC College Development Plan 2018-19)

Performance rates of final year regulated enrolments by NWRC

Academic Year FE College

Retention Rate

Achievement Rate

Success Rate

2016/17 North West Regional College 87.7% 84.3% 73.9%2017/18 North West Regional College 89.3% 84.4% 75.4%

Source: Consolidated Data Return (CDR)

Proportion of Higher Education enrolments in NWRC by deprivation quintiles in 2017-2018

Domicile

Quintile 1 - Most

DeprivedQuintile

2 Quintile 3Quintile

4

Quintile 5 - Least

DeprivedUnknown Postcode

Excluding RoI 34% 20% 15% 12% 3% 0Source: Consolidated Data Return (CDR)

2

http://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/nimdm17-results

http://www.nisra.gov.uk/publications/nimdm17-results


1.2 What is your view of the success record of your institution in relation to recruitment, retention and progression for Widening Participation students?

Our College’s role in supporting the widening access and participation agenda in the City

region is widely recognised and we remain committed to providing a curriculum and

support team that supports the participation of learners with learning difficulties and

disabilities, those from under-represented groups in society and those not in employment,

education or training (NEETs).

The creation of the Careers Academy within North West Regional College with a highly

qualified team focused on career opportunity and progression, the college management

team have delivered a top down initiative to not only tackle the high levels of

unemployment in the North West region of Northern Ireland for internal students, but

through offering the wider community work ready programmes to aid progression into

employment. The purpose of the academy is to provide a one stop careers support

service. The outcomes are students who successfully progress into higher education and

the world of work. The team promote the integration of Careers Education Information

Advice and Guidance into all learning programmes through collaboration with course

coordinators, tutors, curriculum managers and head of schools. Set in the heart of a

region with a troubled past, the college serves more students from quintile 1, than any

other college in the region. The region also has high unemployment and many students

fall under multiple deprivation measures. The Careers Academy team will use all available

resources in supporting widening access to ensure no student is disadvantaged in gaining

access to education and training. The Careers Academy embrace the challenges and

abilities of the millennials with ease. Our aim is to close the gaps and support students to

creatively meet their employment potential through innovative development of soft skills.

Derry / Londonderry has an aspiration to become a UNESCO Learning City – a city which

mobilises its resources in every sector to promote inclusive learning from basic to higher

education, revitalises learning in families and communities, facilitates learning for and in

the workplace, extends the use of modern learning technologies, enhances quality and

excellence in learning and fosters a culture of learning throughout life. In doing so, it will

enhance individual empowerment, social cohesion, economic and cultural prosperity and

sustainable development. NWRC in support of our local regional council, commits to

playing a leading role in realising this ambition.

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The College works hard to promote and encourage access among under-represented groups and this is evidenced by;

Financial assistance is given to 43% of students from low income households

The latest NI seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period February-April

2019 was estimated from the Labour Force Survey at 3.1%. The unemployment

rate decreased over the quarter by 0.4 percentage points (pps) and decreased by

0.2pps over the year.

The NI unemployment rate (3.1%) was below the UK rate (3.8%), the European

Union (6.4%) rate for March 2019 and the Republic of Ireland (4.6%) rate for April

2019.

Two fifths (40.1%) of those unemployed in NI were long-term unemployed (i.e.

unemployed for one year or more), compared to 27.7% in the UK.

The employment rate (71.3%) increased over the quarter by 0.4pps and over the

year by 1.5pps. Neither the annual nor quarterly change were statistically

significant, i.e. the recorded changes did not exceed the variability expected from

a sample survey of this size.

The economic inactivity rate (26.4%) was unchanged over the quarter and

decreased over the year by 1.4pps.

The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits -NI claimant count

(experimental) in May 2019 was 29,700, 3.2% of the workforce.

37 students are in receipt of disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/labour-market-and-social-welfare/labour-force-survey

The widening access and participation officer will maintain all links with the community

groups/providers. The WAP officer accompanied by the careers team will continue to

deliver and monitor the provision of outreach activities, events and the College’s Inspire

programme and the support relating to progression in learning and raising aspirations of

those they are in contact with, including on and off campus events, seminars and

workshops.

The College recognises the crucial role holistic support plays in contributing towards the

success and retention therefore the careers academy team have developed and created

several initiatives to encourage improved retention. The Careers Academy team are

working towards reducing withdrawals in designated groups to support the college

initiative aimed at improving overall retention. The Careers Academy have launched key

interventions such as:

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https://www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/labour-market-and-social-welfare/labour-force-survey


Talk Don’t Walk Initiative – Launched at induction to encourage students to come

and talk to the careers team before walking or exiting a course

So Far So Good – Online survey delivered in week 5 measuring how students

have settled into college

Measurable increased retention with Careers Academy intervention.

Foundation Degree Health &Social Care group b, 17/18 started with 18 students

and had 5 withdrawals. In 18/19 after careers intervention there was 1

withdrawal.

Progression

Although progression workshops are delivered throughout the academic year, there is

also a timetabled week of Higher Education progression subject specific workshops. This

year it took place took place in March 2019. (See Fig 3.0 pg. 24) The Careers Academy

ensure the learners are motivated and engage well in their learning, develop their

confidence, self-esteem and self- awareness and take responsibility for their behaviour

and progression.

Representation – The WAP officer and the careers staff sit on multiple boards to

encourage widening participation of underrepresented groups such as:

ESF – European Social Fund Forum

SAMs- School Age Mothers programme

Syrian Migrant Forum

HMP Magilligan

Community groups via outreach

Disability Employment Service Forum

LAC review groups

1.3 Please outline the Widening Participation aims, objectives and targets for the next 3 years for your institution.

You will need to provide details on key target groups within Access to Success, anticipated expenditure and the measures of success – your response should include a description of your approach to targeting, as well as the areas targeted for improvement over the next 3 years. You may wish to add to the projection tables below to report on your own institution’s specified target groups if not already included in Access to Success.

Objective Target Outcomes CommentsTo increase the number of Q1 & Q2

To host the NWRC Careers roadshow

An increase in enrolments from

The Widening Access and

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enrolments from 478 BY 1student per academic year up to 20/21 compared to the previous year.

in every town to increase enrolments focusing on higher education progression routes for Quintile 1 hard to reach groups in the community.

To increase the number of Inspire participants by 1 in comparison to the previous year.

To increase the number of enrolments from community advice and guidance stations within local job and benefits office.

Quintile 1 each year In the categories below:

To increase the number of Inspire participants by 1 each year. (72 in 17/18)73- 18/1974- 19/2075 – 20/21

To increase the number of enrolments from collaboration via job and benefits office.2 in 17/183- 18/194- 19/205 – 20/21

Participation Officer will work alongside the Careers Academy team to host the community roadshow event targeted at the relevant community groups and external organisations such as Cedar, Princes Trust, School Age Mothers, Syrian Mission, LGBT etc WAP officer and Careers staff host a pop up stand within the Job and Benefits office providing advice and guidance.

To improve retention of Q1 & Q2 by 2% in comparison to previous year.

To reduce the withdrawals from students from a care background.

The WAP officer to work alongside the careers team to undertake targeted approach to reducing withdrawals in at risk groups.

Together the staff will provide a full support service and carry out regular check ins to ensure the students are less likely to withdraw.

To increase the number of participants at HE progression week by 2%. Also increase the awareness of the HE bursary to students eligible for HE progression.

To increase the number of students who participate in progression week by sharing the event widely on social media. Alerting the students via class talks or webtext.

To have a 2% increase the number of students/classes that attend HE progression week. (16 classes attended in 17/18)

Alongside encouraging the increased participation in HE week the WAP officer and Careers Staff will widely promote the HE bursary to the students.

To hold mental health awareness week in all campuses

To increase the number of campuses from 1-5 that host mental health awareness week.

To hold mental health awareness week in all campuses. (In 17/18 mental health awareness week had no presence in Strabane or Greystone campus)

Mental health awareness week is to be widely promoted within all campuses by all staff.

To increase the number of DSA

To increase the number of DSA

In 17/18 37 DSA assessments were

The learning link team to continue to

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assessments carried out in house (NWRC) from 37 in 17/18 to= 40 in 18/19= 41 in 19/20= 42 in 20/21

assessments since assessments moved in house (NWRC) in 17/18

carried out. Target to increase the number of DSA assessments carried out in 18/19 to 40, with a focus on 2021 targets

work in collaboration with the Widening Access officer promoting DSA assessments and targeting students who are eligible.

To widen progression routes from ESF programmes in Strabane Campus

To establish links for progression from level 1 ESF programmes in Strabane

Staff in Strabane to initiate meetings to enable progression from community level 1 into FT courses.

The Careers staff alongside the WAP officer are to establish clear links for progression from ESF level 1 into full time courses.

1.3 (a) TARGETS

You will note that the tables numbered (i) to (vi) below have been pre populated with your institution’s average enrolment for the last 3 years. You are now required to insert numerical targets for each of the groups identified across the 3 years 2020/21 – 2022/23. These groups are regarded as being under represented in Access to Success.

(i) Group: MDM Quintile 1Outcome: To increase participation of those from NI MDM Q1

(ii) Group: Students with a DisabilityOutcome: To increase the number of students who declare a disability

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AVERAGE (based on 4 years 2014-

2018) Targets/Outcome

4 Year Average

NUMBER OF STUDENTS

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

478


(iii) Group: Students with a DisabilityOutcome: To increase the number of students in receipt of DSA

(iv) Group: Young Males from Quintile 1Outcome: To increase participation of young males from NI MDM Quintile 1

(v) Group: Adult LearnersOutcome: To increase the number of adult learners participating in HE

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4 Year Average

NUMBER OF STUDENTS

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

110


2018)

Targets/Outcome

4 Year Average

NUMBER OF STUDENTS

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

NA



4 Year Average

NUMBER OF STUDENTS

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

80


As HESA data is largely incomplete for the following area, the figure that you provided in a previous WAPP for 2016/17 has been inserted as a base line.

(vi) Group: Number of Care Experienced enrolmentsOutcome: To increase the number of enrolments for those from a care background

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4 Year Average

NUMBER OF STUDENTS

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

651

BASE YEAR

Targets/Outcome

2016/17NUMBER OF STUDENTS

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23


1.3(b) The following tables have been provided for you to now insert any other ‘specific’ institutional targets. These may be different to those groups identified in 1.3(a) or may relate to targets other than enrolments. In all cases you will need to identify the group and highlight what the target outcome will be e.g. outreach, retention etc.

(i)

(ii)

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Baseline (statistical or %

participation last year

monitored) Targets/Outcome

2016/17

Number

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

Percentage




2016/17

Number

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

Percentage


(iii)

Please now outline the estimated ‘direct’ expenditure required to meet the identified objectives in the table below. You may wish to refer to Part 2 of the guidance notes in “How to Complete your Widening Access and Participation Plan” for a definition of direct spend. Whilst we appreciate that figures for later years are only indicative we do require estimations inserted in each of the categories.

Activity Estimated Spend2020/21

(£)

Estimated Spend

2021/22(£)

Estimated Spend

2022/23(£)

Bursaries 160,000 170,000 180,000

Scholarships 5000 5000 5000

Other financial Support - - -

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2016/17

Number

2020/21 2021/22 2022/23

Percentage


Outreach 17,000 18,000 19,000

Retention 14,500 14,500 14,500

Research Activity - - -

Staffing/ Administration 22,344 22, 344 22,344

TOTAL 218,844 229,844 240,844

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1.4 List below the key programmes/projects financed from additional student fees that will contribute towards your institution’s performance.(Please refer to the appropriate section of the guidance notes before completing.)

Outreach Motivational Videos (2.4i) - The College Careers team and WAP officer

will continue to work in outreach projects for recruitment and progression.

The production of motivational videos will inspire students who have perceived barriers

about returning to education. The videos will showcase local student’s success stories

telling the story of how they started, what course they completed and where their

destination will be. This will help motivate the students to identify and relate to people

just like them that have broken through perceived barriers to re-engage and achieve.

The cost of the videos is £5000 plus vat £6000 in total. The target outcome is a 1%

increase in HE applications in comparison to the previous year.

The Widening Access and Participation Officer (2.4ii) - will continue to engage in

outreach activities. The WAP officer will also work alongside the Careers Academy

team in providing a specialised Careers Education and tailored career planning to all

targeted students. The cost of the WAP officers staffing is £22344 per annum. The

WAP officer will support the transition of those individuals least likely to engage in

education. The WAP officer will also promote and publicise the HE scholarship to

students. The target outcomes are that there will be a 2% increase in the number of

HE scholarship applicants in comparison to the previous year.

The NWRC roadshow (2.4iii) - is an outreach activity and recruitment event that

takes place outside of the college targeted at the relevant marginalised groups to

encourage Higher Education course applications. The roadshow is held outside the

college in each city of the main campuses. The one-day event will showcase a range

of HE course options offering live demos in a wide range of areas such as

hairdressing, welding or bricklaying. The targeted students’ groups will also be able to

avail of specialised careers education information and advice from an award-winning

careers team. - On the 15th of June 2018, student services and the careers team

hosted NWRC roadshow in Foyle arena in the city. (Please see appendix 2.1) The

event showcased 35 exhibitors and promoted courses within the NWRC. This event

was targeted at the marginalized and disengaged students. The Road Show was a

great platform for all departments to showcase the talents and skills of current

students, with the aim of raising aspiration and confidence levels of many learners

from marginalised groups to enrol at NWRC. A suggested area for improvement was

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that the roadshow should take place in the Derry-Londonderry, Strabane and

Limavady. This will happen from next year onwards and the target outcomes will be

10 HE applications.

The WAP officer - alongside the Careers Academy staff deliver the Inspire

employability programme. A MOU – Memorandum of Understanding has been

developed with the Skills 20/20 to collaborate and remove barriers for disengaged

returning into education. Skills 2020 will be responsible for generating the attendees

for the NWRC Inspire programme. The attendees will be participants who are

completing ESF level 1 programmes in the community or similar. The maximum

number of Inspire participants will be capped at 20. Inspire is a non-accredited course

aimed at re-engaging students who have disengaged from the education system due

to various reasons. To complete the Inspire course participants must complete the 3

core modules, these are:

Interview skills Workshop

CV Building Workshop

Soft Skills/Teamwork

Participants can select optional modules alongside the three core modules to build and

tailor the Inspire course to their needs. The participants can select as many optional

modules as they require for successful progression. If preferred they can undertake a

single module of their choice and all participants will get a certificate of completion for

each module successfully completed. The Inspire course is tailored completely to the

needs of the group in terms of optional modules and duration of the course.

Progression options are discussed in the last session of the course with all participants

fully assisted with online applications.

The advantage of the Inspire programme is the ability to remove the barriers

perspective disengaged students have about returning to education. By undertaking

the Inspire course they eliminating those barriers. The careers team focus on

progression at the last session of the Inspire programme and the group are fully

supported in their journey moving from Inspire into FE/HE education. In 17/18 we had

72 students successfully complete the Inspire programme. There was 60%

progression rate with 43 people progressed into part time courses in NWRC. There

was also 9 students who gained part-time employment (13%). (See appendix 1.0).

The targeted outcome for the Inspire programme is to aim to have a 2% increase in

the number of participants in previous years.

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Outreach and recruitment, NWRC Roadshow - On the 15th of June 2018, student

services and the careers team hosted NWRC roadshow in Foyle arena in the city. The

event showcased 35 exhibitors and promoted courses within the NWRC. This event

was targeted at the marginalized and disengaged students. The Road Show was a

great platform for all departments to showcase the talents and skills of current

students, with the aim of raising aspiration and confidence levels of many learners’

from marginalised groups to enrol at NWRC.

HMP Magilligan - Widening access continues in other areas such as: Outreach - The

College curriculum offer in HMP Magilligan continues to expand and now includes a

wide range of economically relevant professional and technical programmes aimed at

promoting social inclusion.

These programmes include:

Essential Skills in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT • Fabrication & Welding • Furniture

Making • Joinery • Tiling • IT-Computer Build • Food Safety & Hygiene • Employability •

Painting & Decorating; • ESOL • Horticulture.

Since the end of January 2018 one member of the careers team has worked 1 day per

week in Magilligan prison carrying out Careers Guidance appointments. These

appointments are set up by the prison education unit’s administrative officer and can

be either scheduled through referral from prison staff, education staff or self-referral.

This careers guidance provision is delivered within the education facilities of the prison

and is very much seen in the context of a holistic approach to providing sound advice

and guidance for those prisoners, many of whom are nearing their release date to

allow them to make informed decisions about their next steps regarding education,

employment upon their release. The clients meet with the Careers Adviser weekly.

The advice and information provided enable them to make positive steps forward in

seeking out the necessary applications for either further education, employment, CV

compilation, or specific training prior to seeking employment. Careers advice may also

lead to a referral to counselling, benefit and housing advice.

The Careers Academy have supported NIACRO in order to make their transition to life

outside prison a more successful one. Ongoing developments include a bespoke

Careers Academy facility with clients gaining access to all the college tools and

careers resources.

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Volunteering – Recognizing that not every student has access to work experience,

the careers academy developed the volunteering initiative within NWRC. Students

who don’t have access to work experience can achieve a gold volunteering certificate

for 40+hrs recorded volunteering hours, or a silver certificate for 30+ hours, or bronze

for 20+ hours. This initiative has been extremely popular with our students with 12

students achieving their gold certificate. 9 out of the 12 students who completed their

gold volunteering where students who had multiple deprivation measures.

The safeguarding team, Health & Wellbeing Officer and the careers team have strong

links with the 16 + team in the trust supporting LAC in Further and Higher education.

This involves attending LAC reviews and Case conferences throughout the year to

discuss how the LAC young person is progressing and what additional help they may

need at college. The safeguarding team and the careers staff also represent the

college on the Pathways to Further and Higher Education forum and Employability

working group organised by the trust. The safeguarding and careers team also help

with the promotion of Care Day in February of each year to promote the success of

LAC in the college in partnership with VOYPIC.

Retention – Fresher’s induction and handbook (2.5 i) – Students retention is of

paramount importance and it’s crucial that students retain and achieve. Induction is

crucially important for all students to settle into college life. Students that settle into

their new college and understand the support services available are less likely to

withdraw. A solid induction programme ensures the students are fully knowledgeable

of all the students services support available to them and how to access it. A student

support handbook detailing all areas of support with useful information was developed

as a result of the “you said we did” initiative. A student suggested this and the

handbook is distributed at induction packed with useful information and student

support details and contacts.

By providing a solid induction the target outcome is a 2% reduction in withdrawals in

the targeted groups in comparison to previous years. The cost of the fresher’s

induction including a video and handbook is £7000.

Retention – Mental Health Awareness Week(2.5 ii), Mental Health is a growing

concern for NWRC students and the student services team are continually working

towards the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing. The Safeguarding

Team and Student Services team hosted a Mental Health Awareness Week to

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promote Mental Health within the college. Mood Matters workshops with Aware NI

delivered 7 workshops across some campuses. The Safeguarding Team are

continuing to promote the Elephant in the Room Campaign, to encourage students to

talk about their emotions. Key information is displayed on the college plasma screens

and is currently the screensaver of the student portal. Information is also located on

the Safeguarding section of Moodle. At induction, all students were encouraged to

download the Here2Help app and save the Lifeline phone number in their mobile

phones. The Safeguarding Team promoted, It Is Time to Talk Day on 7th of February

with HURT, ZEST, Aware Defeat Depression, Action Mental Health and Nexus. An

area for improvement is that this takes place in every campus and this would cost

£4000 and would have a target outcome of increasing the number of participants in

comparison to the previous year, this would also reduce withdrawals of students with

mental health difficulties feel fully supported and assisted.

Retention – HE progression week (2.5iii) - Higher Education Progression Week

targets all students eligible to enter H.E. or progressing from year 1 HE into year 2 HE.

The week includes a full schedule of progression classes that are all subject specific to

the relevant areas of study. It also includes support workshops such as learning link,

student finance. A team of specialised advisers will talk about the current labour

market and the skills in demand enabling all students to make informed choices.

UCAS workshops are also delivered to students so they are aware how to apply and

how to write a UCAS personal statement. HE week costs £3500 and the target

outcomes are to increase the number of Higher Education applications by 1% in

comparison to the same timeframe last year.

1.5 Please provide a short summary of how your activities link to the key actions within Access to Success.

North West Regional College are fully committed to widening access and participation.

This is evident through the work being carried out and the targeted approach to

recruitment via outreach activities. The college has invested in staff and support

structures so all students feel fully supported. The college now undertakes all DSA

(Disability Student Allowance) assessments and this enables a targeted approach to all

eligible students. The wider student services team work together to ensure the removal

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of barriers for those students disengaged or marginalised.

The scholarship supports students financially who meet the eligibility criteria. Promotion

of all the support channels available are widely discussed in classes at crucial times

throughout the year. The student’s services team also host money week, progression

week, mental health awareness week and a host of retention initiatives to encourage all

students to remain and achieve.

The careers team have established great links with the ESF to enable seamless

progression into full time courses. The removal of pre-perceived barriers improves fair

access to higher education. Providing a support system for the student enables the

students to make informed choices. The careers team are a highly skilled team with two

members of the team currently undertaking a Postgraduate Qualification in Career

Development through blended learning with the University of West Scotland. A highly

skilled team with full careers knowledge ensures that students have full knowledge of the

Northern Ireland labour market and the skills in demand.

Outreach work with multiple community groups ensures full integration from all members

of the community such as Methodist Mission, School Age Mothers etc.

Raising aspirations and encouraging resilience is crucial for the targeted groups to remain

on course. The careers team carry out motivational guidance throughout all career

planning sessions to ensure perspective students are fully encouraged with a can do

attitude instilled.

1.6 How do you plan to communicate information on the availability of financial and other assistance to students?

Communication is wide and varied, it takes the form of:

- Webtext

- Social Media challenges with great audience engagement

- At college Induction – host finance workshop

- Promote all financial assistance at money week

- Plasma screens displaying deadline dates and other relevant information

- Student Portal displaying notifications or banners

- Learning objects

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- Prospectus – hard copies and online

- Emails

- Students union

- Student newsletter

- Via class reps

- Class visits

- Student Handbook

- Progression Week

- Roadshow

- Student Conference

A wide and varied approach to communicating the availability of financial assistance is

required to ensure no student misses out on any possible financial assistance. Hosting a

specific money week time lined throughout the year helps get the message out there.

Having an open door policy for the student services department ensures the student know

they can pop in at any time for some advice and guidance.

1.7 How do you plan to monitor progress against the targets and the achievement of outcomes?

As part of the widening access officer role the targets and outcomes can be converted into

KPIs – Key Performance Indicators to ensure that progress is monitored. Self-evaluation

processes and quality improvement planning ensures that all aspects of provision and

delivery are undertaken under a plan, do, review process. Data will also be collected from

MIS systems that will evidence the outcomes of all targets. The data and WAP plan is

actioned through the Education Committee

1.8 Please provide an additional evaluation on how you think your institution is performing or provide us with relevant documents in line with section 1.8 of the guidance document.

(Full details on how to complete this section are in the guidance notes)

In order to ensure consistency across institutions we would ask that you use the Kirkpatrick Model for this exercise. The concept is that individual institutions will learn from this self-evaluation and obtain evidence to influence future widening participation activity and plans. You may evaluate the institution’s widening participation activity as a whole, or evaluate individual projects.

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The following sub headings should help focus your response. The Department expects that most institutions will be able to evaluate widening participation activity to at least Level 3 (as below).

Level 1 Evaluation – ReactionsWhat participants thought and felt about the programme

The College has carried out evaluations of students from Quintile 1 and Quintile 2 after the completion of the Inspire Employability Programme. 72 students completed and 49 of those students rated it as excellent with 12, very good and 11 good. No students rated it satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

Excellent V Good Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory0

10

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40

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60

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12 11

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Feedback from students from Q1&Q2 on the Inspire Employability programme

Level 2 Evaluation - LearningThe resulting increase in knowledge or capability

Students are introduced to the student support at college induction. The Careers team carry out motivational guidance as very often the students from quintile 1 & 2 have low self-esteem and no self-belief. The students services support team instil the “I can” attitude removing the previous “I can’t mind set”. The college also host in collaboration with action mental health mind set resilience workshops. 90% of the students who completed the mind set resilience workshop rated them as excellent and beneficial.

Level 3 Evaluation – TransferBehaviour - extent of behaviour and capability improvement and implementation/application

A plan do review system is utilised within student services. All guidance and workshops are reviewed after every delivery. Initiatives such as the “you said we did” enables the student voice to be heard. There is also a student conference in

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May that enables students to talk on different subject areas and suggest any changes or improvement. Evaluations take place continually throughout the year not just at the end of the year. Student Ambassadors and class reps have also been selected throughout subject courses ensuring that the student voice is carried via multiple channels.

Level 4 Evaluation- ResultsResults- the effects resulting from performanceThe retention, achievement and success of WAP students are reviewed. The “Talk Don’t Walk” initiative was introduced in 2016 at Induction. It was highlighted to all students that if unsure of their course, or if they were considering leaving that they should talk to the Student Services Support team.

So Far So Good Initiative – Launched week 5 Semester 1 - 2018

Dept of Business, Hospitality & Perf Arts - 28Course Student Numbers Level 2 Business 12Access Dip in Combined Studies 4Level 1 Hospitality Services 12Department of Science, Technology & Creative Industries - 36Level 3 ICT Strabane 7Level 3 Science 22Applied Science Year 2 7 Department of Health & Sports - 71Health Science Yr 1 62Health Science Yr 2 5Certificate of Professional Practice 4 Department of Training & Schools - 68TFS H&SC 5Level 2 Barbering 11Level 3 Hairdressing 14HNC/D Hair & Beauty Management 12Level 3 Beauty Therapy 6Level 2 Beauty Therapy 20 TOTAL 203

The student services team will meet with the students to ensure they remain on course and provide support where necessary.

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Figure 1A Indicates the number of Inspire Participants from 2017-18

Fig 1A

Fig 2.0 shows the poster advertising the NWRC Roadshow

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Fig 2.0

FIG 3.0 displays the progression schedule for the HE progression week within the college

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FIG 3.0

Date Time Progression Workshop Room5/3/18 10am Fd in Business & Enterprise C140

10:50 HLA Accountancy C14011am Fd in Science in Health & Social Care C15412pm Fd in Information Technology C1542pm HLA in Software Development C1542:50pm

Fd in Civil Engineering C140

3pm Fd/HLA in Electric/Electronic Engineering C1546/3/18 10am Fd/HLA in Mechanical Engineering C140

10:50 Fd in Architectural Technology C14011am Fd in Early Childhood Studies C15411:50 Fd/HLA in International Hospitality & Tourism

Management C140

2pm Fd/HLA in International Travel & Tourism Management C1402:50pm

L4 Counselling C140

3pm Fd in Medical & Applied Sciences C1547/3/18 10am Fd in Sport & Exercise Fitness C140

11am Fd in Science in Health & Social Care C15412pm Fd in Early Childhood Studies C1541pm Fd in Information Technology C1542pm HLA Accountancy C140

Progression Support workshops

Date Time Workshop Room5/3/18 10am-10:40am Finance C154

2pm- 2:30pm Learning Support C1406/3/18 10-10:40am Learning Support C154

2pm- 2:30pm Finance C1547/3/18 10-10:40am Finance C154

2pm- 2:30pm Learning Support C154

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Fig 4.0 Costs of Motivational videos

Description Amount

Production of 5 Makematic Motivational videos for Limavady, Strabane and Strand Road Campus. (Inspiring targeted groups)

VATTOTAL

£5000

£1000£6000

Fig 5.0 Cost for Mental Health Awareness Week

Description Amount

7 Sessions of Mental Health talks by AWARE NI.Students mental health packs

TOTAL

£2500 (inc VAT)£1500

£3500

Fig 6.0

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Documents

North West Regional College€¦ · Web view5 out of the top 10 most deprived Super Output Areas (SOAs) are in the NWRC catchment area according to the NIMDM data 2017. 54.7% of the