NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN 2017/18 – 2019/20
Institutions are required to submit information under each of the headings below.
Please see the Guidance notes for help with completing this return
1.1 Please provide a high level outline of the North West Regional College Widening
Participation Policy in Higher Education and how this fits in with the institution’s strategic
direction.
North West Regional College makes a significant contribution to the local economy both
as an employer and a provider of higher education (HE) and more recently Higher Level
Apprentices.
The College is committed to widening access and participation in higher education and as
a strategic priority it is embedded within the College Development Plan. Key policies and
procedures ensure widening access and participation remains a focus of our HE strategy
in relation to marketing, admissions, student support (or financial and pastoral), Learning
Link for HE students with additional learning needs, quality assured teaching and learning
and the strategic development of the Careers Academy to drive employability. The
College’s equality policies embrace inclusiveness and the college continuously strives to
promote equality by widening access and participation in HE.
The College’s Development Plan recognises its role in supporting the widening access
and participation agenda in a city and region with a substantive challenge around the
development of a strong social and economic framework and is ‘committed to
employability being embedded into the curriculum to ensure that students are better
prepared for the world of work. The College will develop with strategic partners an
inclusive learning strategy to widen access to those learners furthest from skills access’
(NWRC, CDP Strategic Priority, 2015-2018).
The available evidence indicates that the catchment area of the North West Regional
College has greater problems, typically within the new Derry and Strabane Local
Government area. Part of the problem is high unemployment (14%) and inactivity rates
(42%) in the North of Northern Ireland. The new Local Government area has inherited
high unemployment as a percentage of those of working age, 7.7% in Derry and Strabane
in November 2014 compared with 2.7% across the UK.
The local economic landscape points to the importance of progression due to weakness in
the qualification profile of the region. There is, for example, a lower proportion qualified at
level 4+ (30% Derry, 23% Strabane, 25% Limavady compared to 34% for UK) hence our
local progression strategy, defining what and who to reskill and enabling the process via
curriculum delivery and new developments.
The collaboration with the Universities is allowing ‘Access’ to HE for adults who were
previously employed or hadn’t considered education as an option in their earlier lives.
Access courses, both Full and Part-time are opening doors and allowing those who have
been made redundant from the business sector to rethink their educational pathway. Our
new Careers Academy has an aspirational and inclusive ethos supporting the Widening
Access and Participation Plan and ‘Access to Success’ with the overall aim being to
support students to embrace education as they make the transition from post Level 1
course completed through the European Social Fund right through to levels 2/3/4 and 5.
Through collaboration and partnerships, the College will break down perceived barriers to
higher education as it enriches the academic and vocational development of the
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
transitioning and enrolled student population with one aim; to prepare them for confident
futures as they grow and develop within NWRC.
The Widening Access and Participation Plan will seek to ensure the following;
• College services will be widely accessible and in compliance with DFE policies,
legislative requirements and College policies including the College’s Admissions and
Enrolment policy, Equal Opportunities policy and Race Equality policy.
• The College will take account of Widening Participation issues within relevant College
committees including the Equality Working Group.
• The College will consider the principles of the Access to Success strategy to engage with
the most able /least likely to participate in the education journey.
• Policies which impact on access will be reviewed on an annual cycle.
• College representatives will engage with relevant committees and initiatives to progress
the WAPP agenda.
• The Community Based team will engage in areas of significant deprivation to encourage
the skills escalator concept identified within the One Plan for the region.
• The College will encourage the population that it serves within the Widening Participation
Agenda to enter higher education as a means of lifestyle improvement and progression.
Understanding some of the barriers to learning for ‘Generation K’ the College has made
Mindset Training available for all HE students (funded by Public Health Agency and
delivered by Action Mental Health). To date 300 have had the 2-hour session which
allows them to understand that both physical and mental health can be barriers to
progression and success, how to recognise the early signs of a mental health difficulty and
where to access help and support.
The College is proactive in enhancing participation levels in higher education and uses
mechanisms such as ‘try before you apply’ and ‘blended learning’ to engage nontraditional access students to higher education.
The College reviews its fee structure annually to ensure that the cost of higher education
does not act as a barrier to entry and provides bursaries to those students who present
themselves from low income backgrounds, the level of which will be guided by a College
agreed threshold. The College plans to provide a full HE scholarship for a widening
access student in September 2016. (see Selection Criteria at App.1)
The NWRC ‘Learning Link’ plays a key role in ensuring that students with disabilities or
learning difficulties receive support and help to integrate fully into College life and succeed
with their chosen course. Students who have additional needs due to disabilities, specific
learning difficulties, or medical conditions may require extra help to successfully complete
their course. The College’s Learning Link currently supports students with a wide range of
additional study needs including;
• Human Support Workers – e.g. Note-takers, readers
• Support for sensory needs – e.g. software, sign language interpreters, alternative
formats
• Alternative exam arrangements
• Group learning support sessions
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
• Specialist equipment
• Risk Assessments
• Advice and support regarding access to College facilities and services.
The College recognises the crucial role this holistic support plays in contributing towards
the success and retention rates of this cohort and our statistics show that retention of 88%
HE students in receipt of Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) remain on course and
achieve. Interestingly the Learning Link tracking of students progression from FE to HE
were able to report that 61% of our HE DSA students were recruited from our FE
provision.
Recognising that many WP students at HE level may not have access to appropriate
resources at home a quiet HE computer hub has been allocated within the College’s
Careers Academy where Higher level students can work independently or with support to
achieve the level of academic rigor expected of them at this level.
Digital Pedagogies / Learning Technologies are being driven by our TELs team through
curriculum projects and Continued Professional Development (CPD) for staff and this is
allowing us to ensure a ‘relevant curriculum’ that support access to HE, and progression to
industry and employment from HE.
Fibre Optic Broadband is an enabler even across lower income families and accessing
and posting work online reduces barriers for students at all levels where travel is costly.
Using technology smartly can increase access and participation and the Colleges’
‘wireless’ network is enabling the sharing of information in an effective and efficient
manner across all campuses. Library facilities across all campuses remain open in the
evening’s mid-week to support every student’s inclusive learning journey.
1.2 What is your view of the success record of North West Regional College in relation to
recruitment, retention and progression for Widening Participation students?
Recruitment
The College recruits across a wide geographic area including Derry City and Strabane
District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and with our proximity to
the Donegal border students from that predominantly rural area using a range of
mediums. The College works hard to promote and encourage access among underrepresented groups and this is evidenced by;
 The participation of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds (Quintiles 13) equates to 70% of our student cohort with 51% from Quintiles 1 and 2.
 Financial assistance is given to 55% of students from low income households
 Disability support is provided to 99 HE students and 33 are in receipt of disabled
Students Allowance (DSA)
 101 students from known addresses across our HE Full and Part Time provision
who are from vulnerable groups such as Care Leavers, the Homeless population
or those with addictions which is again a testament to the work of our community
outreach team where their work with marginalised communities is vital to ensure
equity to the service we provide.
The College recruits students with a wide range of disabilities including, Autism,
Asperger’s, blind or partially sighted, deaf or partial hearing, mental health, learning
disabilities, unseen disabilities and wheelchair users across both FE and HE. Again HE
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
numbers are considerably smaller but typical of the demography when total application
numbers are considered.
Retention
The College recognises the crucial role holistic support plays in contributing towards the
success and retention rates of this cohort and our statistics show that;
 The retention for FLU funded HE to date for 2015-2016 is 91% for Full time
students and 87% for Part Time students.
 88% HE students in receipt of Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) remain on
course and achieve.
Progression
The local economic landscape points to the importance of progression due to weakness in
the qualification profile of the region. There is, for example, a lower proportion qualified at
level 4+ (30% Derry, 23% Strabane, 25% Limavady compared to 34% for UK). This
implies a need for a local progression pathways defining what and who to reskill and
enabling the process. North West Regional College should therefore use progression as
an enabling value and the College continues to devise new higher level vocational routes
through Part Time HNC’s, foundation Degrees and HLAs to meet the increasing shortage
at level 6 and 7.
Promoting the real life experience gained through vocational routes to success for
learners and employers, particularly SMEs who may be able to mitigate the costs
government support, may facilitate an increased uptake of higher level vocational routes.
North West Regional College should also meet the demand for up skilling and re-skilling of
the current workforce and resident population to higher level qualifications including via
virtual learning environments.
In summary:

QAA state they have confidence in the quality of learning opportunities North West
Regional College offers (May 2013).

North West Regional College have higher education partnerships with Ulster
University, Queens University Belfast and Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

Access to HE via adult access programmes as a popular Full-time or part time
alternative for adult returners or those having a career change.

Higher Level Apprenticeships are becoming a popular option to University study
and in this incoming year. This includes companies and their expressed interest
including up-skilling for their current staff or new HLA vacancies.

Our HE FLU funded success rates 2014-2015 were 87.7% using DEL criteria.

Interestingly the Learning Link tracking of students’ progression from FE to HE
were able to report that 61% of our HE DSA students were recruited from our FE
provision.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
1.3 Please outline the Widening Participation aims, objectives and targets for next 3 years
for North West Regional College.
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
Aims and objectives

To continue to develop our outreach initiatives and employ a Widening Access and
Participation Intern attached to the Careers Academy to encourage and support
more people from Quintile 1-3 to progress from Further to Higher Education and
out target groups;
Key target groups
Students from;
Lower Income families
Travelling community
Young Protestant Males
Care Leavers
Students with;
A disability
A Criminal Record
Which is an employability
programme aimed at people
who have previously had
barriers to returning to an
education environment.
Widening access, inclusion,
progression and success are
key aims of the Inspire
programme.
Students who are;
Single Parents
Young fathers
Young carers







To develop the Inspire Programme
Set up a service level agreement between the Colleges Safeguarding Officer and
the local Health Trust Service Manager to develop an Information sharing
Agreement so that the College have a live record of LAC Leaving Care students
enrolled during each academic year to maximize funding and support
To develop a Summer Scheme via the Careers Academy for Looked After Children
(LAC) under the care of the Trust to breakdown perceived barriers to HE and
support the development of independent study skills
To increase to volume of students at all levels availing of Mindset Training
delivered via Public Health Agency (Generation K) and Action Mental Health
To improve data collection across WAPP
To set up a Scholarship Programme for Students targeted through WAPP
(Appendix 1)
That the College is to be responsive to changes incurred through welfare reform
ensuring a timely and efficient allocation of funds should the balance for care
leavers be redressed as intimated by Lord Laming in his review.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
Targets
 To have a WAP support Officer in post by September 2016 to grow the business
internally and externally with marginalized groups and communities.

To roll Inspire out to more marginalized groups in the community including groups
with Young protestant males.

To run summer schemes across key target groups in July and August 2016 with
the possibility of increasing the participation of groups in 2017.

To offer summer school Essential Skills through the Careers Academy to support
Access to HE

This year September 2015-June 2016 300 NWRC students across all sites and 15
staff had Mindset Training. The target for 2016-2017 is to increase that number to
300 HE Full time students and 50 Part Time Students.

Continue to improve reporting of WAP data linked to the target groups.

To establish 1 scholarship and the eligibility criteria for an HE student in 20162017, Bursaries and additional support for HE students at the College.

To ensure financial procedures are in place to implement any changes introduced
through Welfare Reform.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
1.3 (a) TARGETS
You will note that the tables numbered (i) to (vii) below have been pre populated with
your institutions 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 2017/18 –
2019/20. These groups are regarded as being under represented in Access to Success.
(i)
Group: MDM Quintile 1
Outcome: To increase participation of those from NI MDM Q1
AVERAGE
(based on 3
years 20122015)
Targets/Outcome
3 Year
Average
2017/18
488
486
(ii)
489
2019/20
490
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS
Group: MDM Quintile 2
Outcome: To increase participation of those from NI MDM Q2
AVERAGE
(based on 3
years 20122015)
Targets/Outcome
3 Year
Average
2017/18
290
282
(iii)
2018/19
2018/19
291
2019/20
292
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS
Group: Students with a Disability
Outcome: To increase the number of students who declare a disability
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
AVERAGE
(based on 3
years 20122015)
3 Year
Average
105
(iv)
PART ONE
Targets/Outcome
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS
2017/18
2018/19
106
2019/20
107
108
Group: Students with a Disability
Outcome: the number of students in receipt of DSA
Targets/Outcome
2017/18
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS
(v)
2018/19
29
30
31
Group: Young Males from Quintile 1
Outcome: To increase participation of young males from NI MDM Quintile 1
AVERAGE
(based on 3
years 20122015)
Targets/Outcome
3 Year
Average
73
(vi)
2019/20
2017/18
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS
78
2018/19
80
2019/20
83
Group: Adult Learners
Outcome: To increase the number of adult learners participating in HE
AVERAGE
(based on 3
years 20122015)
3 Year
Average
669
Targets/Outcome
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS
2017/18
670
2018/19
671
2019/20
673
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
8
HESA data is largely incomplete for this area. Therefore we are asking institutions to
determine 2014/15 year as a base year using your own enrolment data.
(vii)
Group: Number of Care Experienced enrolments
Outcome: To increase the number of enrolments for those from a care
background
BASE YEAR
Targets/Outcome
2014/15
2017/18
NUMBER OF
STUDENTS
8
2018/19
11
12
2019/20
13
1.3(b) The following tables have been provided for you to now insert any other ‘specific’
institutional targets for [INSERT INST]. 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 eg
outreach, retention etc
(i)
Group: Young Carers
Outcome: To track the number of young carers and provide additon
Baseline
(statistical or %
participation
last year
monitored)
Targets/Outcome
2013/14
8
2017/18
Number
10
2018/19
11
2019/20
12
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
Percentage
1.4%
1.54%
PART ONE
1.69%
Please now outline the estimated ‘direct’ expenditure required to meet the identified objectives
in the table below. Your 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 Spend
2017/18
(£)
Estimated
Spend
2018/19
(£)
Estimated
Spend
2019/20
(£)
Bursaries
£195,000.00
200,000
205,000
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
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Scholarships
£2500
5000
5000
Other financial
Support
£300
300
300
Outreach
2000
2500
3000
Retention
£3300
3500
3750
Staffing/
Administration
£15207
15523
15941
TOTAL
£218,307
226,823
232,991
Research Activity
1.4 Outline below the key programmes/projects financed from additional student fees that
will contribute towards your Institution’s performance? (It would be advisable to refer to
the appropriate section of the guidance notes before completing this response)
NWRC Community Outreach will continue to engage with marginalized groups across
the student population trajectory inclusive of community and youth groups, young
mothers, fathers, NEETS and LAC as well as creative engagement to schools via
STEM and marketing.
NWRC Scholarship where eligibility criteria have been generated to ensure inclusivity
and equality across the HE population.
NWRC has invested in UrFuture Careers Academy and ‘Inspire’ where careers advice
and learning mentors are central to this hub which comprises of additional skills
development for all students, a quiet HE study area, employability preparation, a clear
plan of action and relevant short learning tutorials including UCAS support and
interview preparation.
Guest speakers are planned for Motivational talks from induction and the cost is being
covered by the college.
The College has invested in the opening of the first FE maths Centre in Northern
Ireland with the ambitious target to increase and improve maths delivery and
understanding throughout the curriculum.
1.5 Please provide a short summary of how your activities link to the key actions within
Access to Success
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
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Community Outreach will continue to engage with marginalized groups specifically those
from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities and learning difficulties
across the all educational levels to increase opportunities for those from the lower
quintiles. The Colleges’ summer scheme INSPIRE reflects the REACH programme run by
universities and is already fully booked by community groups transitioning students from
ESF Level 1 programmes into FE.
Key Action (A) A1/A2 and A3
Data reporting is consistent and reliable and pre and post entry data is going to continue
to improve especially in regards to Targeting Social Need (TSN)
Student services and the Safeguarding Officer are working closely with the Looked after
Children (LAC) and Care Leavers 16+ team to support the application, retention and
progression of our care leavers with a summer camp being run via the Careers Academy
and their Inspire Programme to support the transition to FE and HE in September 2016.
This vital link really connects the dots between where these young people live and where
they study increases communication links, reporting mechanisms and safeguards to
support them fully throughout their journey at NWRC.
Key A4 and A5
Growth in enrolments from Widening Access and Participation groups will continue to
increase at a steady rate however it should be recognised that the NWRC college is
investing considerably in student support structures to ensure that every student can avail
of additional careers, civic events, employability activities from pre-enrolment all which
should breakdown perceived barriers to Further and Higher Education increasing our
enrolments from marginalized sectors.
Key A10
The full Scholarship (appendix 1) will provide financial aid to a student or students who
meet the eligibility criteria at application.
Key A6 and A9
To raise the aspirations and opportunities available to all students including those from
previously underrepresented deciles and quintiles and the further development of
Foundation Degrees and Higher Level Apprenticeships will support our goal of increasing
access and participation.
Post recruitment support will be offered to every student through curriculum teams and
UrFuture Careers Academy which will give practical advice and academic support to all
students especially when they are working towards assessments and need help to use
educational software.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
The Key Performance Indicators of Retention, Achievement and Success are integral to
every area of college business.
Financial and learning support services continue to have a high profile within the college.
NWRC Employability Taskforce will include representation from Curriculum, Curriculum
support, and student representatives to increase placement, employability and
volunteering opportunities for all students so that each student’s journey through the
college has added value.
The careers team will continue to work with staff and students to inform them about the
Northern Ireland Skills Barometer so that STEM in the curriculum is also linked to
employability opportunities.
The college has invested heavily in digital marketing, making the college an attractive and
stimulating place to learn.
Key A7
The College continues to work with the regional working group via project 18.
Key A8
To continue to monitor the KPIs of retention, achievement and success and if students
withdraw investigate the reason to ascertain if their financial situation was linked.
1.6 How do you plan to communicate information on the availability of financial and other
assistance to students?
Communication to students is multi-faceted and is via the NWRC App with push
notifications ability-reminders straight to their smart phone, the Student’s Union, online,
written, posted through social media, web texts, emails, through pop-ups on the student
portal, through visual screen throughout the whole college across all campuses, through
Prospectus, hard and online copies, face to face; 1:1 and group lectures prior to and after
enrolment, through learning objects, through every available platform and portal to ensure
students know what they can apply for, how to apply and where to seek advice. The
internet and Intranet are used extensively across all departments to ensure a seamless
information system that can be accessed by everyone.
1.7 How do you plan to monitor progress against the targets and the achievement of
outcomes?
Data will be collected and analysed from MIS in an effective, efficient and timely manner.
Anomalies will be managed quickly and with data being central to all curriculum delivery
and planning the Self Evaluation Process and capturing KPI’s staff in all areas are much
more aware of key performance indicators. Financial systems for the College and within
student services are robust and internal and external audits capture areas for quality
improvement and these are actioned quickly.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE WIDENING ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION PLAN
PART ONE
1.8 As part of the ongoing development of the WAPP we would now like you to provide us
with an additional evaluation on how you think your institution is performing. In order to
ensure consistency across the institutions we would ask that you use the Kirkpatrick
Model for this exercise. To assist you in this exercise we have provided sub headings
from the model to help focus your response. (full details on how to complete this section
are in the Guidance document)
The College location is now within the new Council area of Derry City and Strabane District
Council. The area continues to experience the highest level of unemployment in Northern
Ireland.
During the 2015-2016 academic year the College undertook a restructuring process and
implemented the Voluntary Exit Scheme. This has impacted on the personnel involved in the
WAPP agenda and the College has embraced the opportunity to review its activities around
engaging widening participation groups and associated collection, monitoring and evaluation
of data.
Throughout the year the College has continued to;
Pay bursaries to those with a household income less than £19, 203 studying Foundation
degrees and Higher National Diplomas. When surveyed, 97% of respondents confirmed that
the HE Bursary contributed to them remaining on the course. Comments from respondents
included:
o
o
o



‘helped me to purchase textbooks needed to help me with my course’.
‘books, equipment and technology. Also transport to and from College’.
‘it helped me financially as I am not working while on the course’.
Develop capacity building programmes in the community through its outreach
workers including introductory provision and Access provision.
Develop and deliver 36 Higher Level Apprenticeships enabling those who have not
previously availed of higher education to engage with it.
Established a Careers Academy to further enhance the WAP agenda, outreach and
our civic responsibility.