School and Higher Education Institutions Links

HE and School Partnerships - 'Creating Aspiration through Information advice and guidance' - May 2010. Presentation .

Schools have always worked with higher education institutions, but in the past this work has often lacked coherence and a strategic importance. The Sutton Trust has carried out much research in this area and was prominent in advising the National Council for Educational Excellence (NCEE) before it published its own recommendations. Action on Access has prepared a brief summary of these two reports which can be found downloaded here in Word . Another major driver for encouraging school and higher education institution links was the Academies, Trusts and Higher Education prospectus published by DCSF in 2007. Nearly every recent government policy on schools has included a role for higher education and this role has been underpinned by widening participation and the social justice agenda. One example of this would be the National Challenge Strategy where all schools are expected to have an higher education partner.

The links between schools and higher education take many forms, although many fall under the widening participation umbrella. They include raising aspiration and attainment, curriculum support and development, sponsorship of academies, working with gifted and talented students and much more. The ever popular higher education visit can too often take attention away from a myriad of other activity. In January 2009, HEFCE established a grant programme to research, develop and evaluate institutional practice relating to links between higher education institutions, schools, colleges and academies. Circular Letter number 01/2009. A summary of the projects is given here in Excel and the full reports for the projects can be found here.

The most coherent document in terms of policy in this area is probably the ‘New Opportunities Fair Chances for the Future’ white paper published in January 2009. Action on Access have prepared a summary of the key points as they relate to widening participation which is avalable to download  here

Useful Links
Academies, Trust and Higher Education Prospectus

Please click the links below to see presentations by Phil Harley the Lead Adviser for Schools.

HE and School Partnerships - New Opportunities to Engage with Schools - May 2009

Widening Participation through Partnership Setting the Scene February 2009

HE and School Partnerships Bridging the gap in understanding May 2008