Conference 10 June 2003

Issues and developments in FE/HE transition in the City of Nottingham

Facilitators: Philip Harley, Excellence Challenge, Nottingham City Council
Maureen Fox and Angela Smallwood, PADSHE Project, University of Nottingham

This workshop considered strategies for widening participation in HE for 'Gifted and Talented' students, as illustrated by current work in Nottingham, including the extension of the University of Nottingham's electronic Personal and Academic Records system for pre-entry use by successful applicants, to ease transition and facilitate the transfer of personal data. The City of Nottingham Passport website was viewed on-line. It aims to develop a city-wide progress file for all students aged 13-19, helping to prepare them for electronic progress files in HE.

Issues Discussed

• Disparate IT systems in different institutions - how will they all link together nationally?
• Does the new entry profile help with student retention?
• How are Progress Files 'sold' to pupils in schools (i.e. Process or output)? Tried to sell the process but students only interested in end product. However, will need to ensure FE will value the end product, or students will be very demotivated to continue. Staff time is essential to help students see value in the process
• DfES - need to support Progress File as much as ILPs (Individual Learning Plans)