Phase 2 and Outreach Hubs Consultation
OfS have confirmed funding for Phase 2 of NCOP with the wider remit for the project to :
a ) Continue to invest in targeted higher education outreach within the areas where it can have the most impact ensuring that it makes the most of the opportunity to strengthen evaluation practice and knowledge of ‘ what works ’.
b ) Commit to supporting collaboration in the longer term by funding sustainable local partnerships (‘ outreach hubs ’) with cross-England coverage to help schools and colleges access the higher education outreach they need and provide a platform for wider collaboration , including with regard to joined up careers advice from before higher education to beyond it . 1
The main aims have evolved to become : � � �
� reduce the gap in higher education participation between the most and least represented groups support young people to make well-informed decisions about their future education
support effective and impactful local collaboration by higher education providers working together with schools , colleges , employers and other partners
contribute to a stronger evidence base around ‘ what works ’ in higher education outreach and strengthen evaluation practice in the sector .
Data collected across interviews and surveys on Phase 2 has been categorized into three broad themes :
1 . Focused activity 2 . Supporting Gatsby Benchmarks 3 . Expanding and strengthening partnerships
A note on Outreach Hubs :
OfS have not provided prescriptive targets , aims or structure for how they wish Outreach Hubs to operate . However ; they expect SUN to work with additional students , other than NCOP , who live in low areas of participation . They expect partnerships to expand a ‘ proactive outreach ’ offer to learners who live in POLAR 4 , Quintile 1 and 2 2 .
In addition OfS have not outlined what age groups they wish partnerships to work with . SUN are at present working with local authorities and Further Education Colleges to ascertain the impact of the additional learners with regards to funding and wider resource . SUN has not been given additional funding for the additional learners we are expected to work with . At present , the funding for specific Outreach Hub use is for the set-up of the hub and initial partnership work .
1
NCOP Operating Plan guidance , February 2019
2
POLAR 4 is a data set used by Higher Education Providers and the OfS to measure geographical areas and higher education progression at age 18-19 . Areas are separated into 5 quintiles with quintile 5 being high progression and quintile 1 being lowest progression to HE . For further information please visit : https :// www . officeforstudents . org . uk / data-and-analysis / polar-participation-of-local-areas /
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