Is Aimhigher the answer for improving access to HE for BME communities A study of the South East Reg

1
Is Aimhigher the answer for improving access to
HE for BME communities? A study of the South East
Region

• Authors
• Shanti Waas Dr. David Garbin

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Introduction

• This paper seeks to provide a review and analysis
  of the Aimhigher programmes within the SE Region
  aimed at increasing the participation of target
  groups under- represented in HE, including young
  women from Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities
  and Asylum Seekers and Refugees into HE.

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Introduction

• This paper is based on research conducted for the
  Aimhigher SE with the purpose of identifying any
  gaps in provision, including those issues, which
  in the opinion of the authors conspired to hinder
  the anticipated participation of the target
  groups in the Aimhigher initiative within the
  Region

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What is Aimhigher?

• Aimhigher is a national programme designed to
  widen participation in HE by raising aspirations
  and developing the learning potential of young
  people from under-represented groups.
• The government has set a target that by 2010, 50
  of those aged 18 and 30 should have the
  opportunity to benefit from higher education.

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BME target groups and their location in the SE
Region

• BME groups are over-represented in HE- accounting
  for more than 13 of undergraduate
  students(proportion of BME groups in the UK is
  7.9)
• However, a large number of African/Caribbean
  males and females from Bangladeshi and Pakistani
  origin are not in education, training and
  employment
• A mapping exercise of the target BME groups in
  the 6 Aimhigher sub-regions was undertaken. BME
  groups mainly concentrated in the urban
  areas.(based on census data at ward level)
• For example in the Buckinghamshire Wycombe Local
  Authority ward of Oakbridge and Castlefield the
  Pakistani residents account for 38.8 of the
  population and the African Caribbean residents at
  5.8

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Summary of current and planned activities in the
SE Region

• Information based on questionnaire sent out to
  the 6 sub-regions and interviews with key
  persons.
• Summer schools
• Mentoring
• Careers and application support
• Open days
• Visits to HE institutions
• Masterclasses

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Summary of current and planned activities in the
SE Region

• Project targeting refugees and asylum seekers
• Developing and strengthening links with BME
  communities
• Links with other agencies
• Workshops
• Websites/information materials
• Staff development
• Ethnic monitoring

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Key issues in the development and running of
Aimhigher programmes and projects

• As described earlier, a variety of raising
  aspiration programmes operating in the SE Region
• Majority of programmes set up on a one size fits
  all' basis
• Low participation of the target BME groups
• Absence of a consideration and application of a
  number of BME related issues/factors
• Few programmes targeting BMEs
• No magic formulas' or methods for attracting
  participation of the target groups but giving
  serious consideration and attention to the
  following areas would significantly improve the
  participation of the BME target groups
• Accessing existing internal equality networks

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Key issues in the development and running of
Aimhigher programmes and projects

• Significance of current equality
  legislation-race, gender, disability
• Use of positive action strategies
• Employment of more people from BME communities in
  Aimhigher programmes
• Defining and locating the Aimhigher BME target
  groups
• Engaging and liaising with the BME target groups
• Assessing needs of the target groups
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Quality control measures

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Case studies-Examples of good practice

• Under- representation of Muslim Women Enhancing
  the New Sites of Learning Project is a multi-
  institutional/agency initiative which is an
  example of good practice that takes into account
  the particular needs of the target groups.
• This project offers a small number of higher
  education courses in community- based centres to
  young Bangladeshi and Pakistani women unable or
  unwilling to travel to a campus. The general
  vision of this project is that any provision
  should meet the needs of the community learners
  rather than fit into current on campus courses.

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Case studies-Examples of good practice

• The CANDLES (Campaign to Attract Nurses/Midwives
  from Diverse Local Ethnic Groups in Slough), is
  an example of good practice adapting
  communication strategies to recruit BMEs. This
  project uses a faculty recruitment video dubbed
  into Hindi and Punjabi/Mirpuri.
• Other examples of good practice listed in the
  paper.

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Conclusion Recommendations

• What are the main lessons from this case study
  for widening participation practitioners when
  planning future initiatives?
• We believe that the Aimhigher strategy has the
  potential to significantly improve the
  participation of the current SE Region target
  groups
• We strongly recommend the following key points
  for consideration and action by the
  practitioners
• Develop an equality and diversity strategy to
  guide planning and implementation
• Carry out a needs assessment on each of the BME
  and Refugee and Asylum Seeker target groups to
  identify any special needs /requirements and
  barriers to participation in the programmes.
  These assessments should be carried out prior to
  the recruitment of the respective target groups
  candidates to the programmes.
• Consult and involve BME, refugee and asylum
  seeker communities and other relevant individuals
  and agencies during the planning stages of the
  programmes and throughout the duration of the
  programmes
• Use the National Statistics online census
  2001(2003) neighbourhood statistics on local
  authorities and all its wards to identify and
  locate BME populations.
• Work with existing agencies dedicated to meeting
  the needs of BME communities, including local
  authorities and the refugee council
• Ensure that a data base is properly designed and
  populated with ethnic data and systematically
  used in reports and to inform future programme
  planning and implementation

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Conclusion Recommendations

• Programmes should include individual targets for
  BME and Refugee and Asylum Seekers
• Consideration be given to the development of
  specific projects to promote the progression of
  BME and Refugee and Asylum Seeker target groups
• In developing or revising projects, attention be
  given to the examples of good practice
  identified in the report
• Areas should consider establishing local BME
  advisory groups to advise on programme
  development, implementation and evaluation
• Managers should use positive action strategies to
  encourage BME and Refugee/Asylum Seekers
  participation in the programmes
• BME and Refugee/Asylum Seeker groups should be
  actively involved throughout the evaluation
  process
• Give serious consideration to the employment of
  more suitably qualified BMEs in the Aimhigher
  programme and projects. Consider the use of
  positive action measures.
• Set up appropriate communication channels to keep
  the consultees informed of progress throughout
  the life of the Aimhigher programme provide
  regular feedback on progress.