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Towns Like Us

Sylvia GibbsHead of Widening

ParticipationUniversity of Huddersfield

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The geography of University Life

Dreaming spires Historic cities Red brick Modernist bubbles Local Techs or University of Huddersfield

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Impact in Huddersfield is two-way

Physical presence Economic impact Social impact Key to survival and innovation Essential part of the town

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Town Gown Relations

Long history of fraught relations Being replaced by a new

community and WP role Promoted by HEI’s, Gov and

RDA’s

What form does it take? What models are emerging?

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Strategic models in HE(Layer, 2005)

Partnership: HE within FE arrangements

Regeneration: HE access linked to local economic change and growth

Building capacity: use of existing outreach centres

Shared campus: two or more universities combine to create a new facility

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University of Huddersfield WP Mission

Strategic Plan 2006-2010: “The University is committed to its local community and to actively taking education to students in order to widen participation, as well as delivering excellence in teaching and enhancing students success”

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University of Huddersfield model

2 University Centres in Oldham and Barnsley

replacing HE in FE additional capacity regeneration agenda Widening participation agenda Community engagement agenda Own character Benefitting from the centre

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Our approach

Towns Like Us- transfer Huddersfield regeneration and WP experience

Choose areas in most need The objective is to take HE to

students in their own communities Built upon, a genuine partnership

with willing partners, especially the Colleges and the Boroughs

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Why Oldham and Barnsley?Worst under representation in HE

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

<16% 16-24% 24-32% 32-43% Above 43%

Barnsley

Kirklees

Wakefield

Oldham

Proportion of wards with young participation index<16%, 16-24%, 24-32% or above 43%

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Situation been getting worse

Performance Indicator Barnsley Study Area Oldham and Rochdale Study Area

Projected change in 18-30 year-old population from 2001-02 to 2012-13

12,726 30,209

Change in HE entrants over the period 2001-02 to 2012-13 if current downward trend in IER continues

-399 -1,090

Change in HE entrants over the period 2001-02 to 2012-13 if the study area could meet the indicative regional target set by HEFCE to drive its Aim Higher Partnerships for Progression initiative.

5,483 7,353

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The challenge in Barnsley Exclusion

2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation: BMBC in 10% most deprived authorities (28th)

56% of BMBC Super Output Areas fall within the 20% most deprived SOAs in health deprivation and disability

HE; applications/enrolments 2001: 88.9% with no degree (19th in

UK); 41.1% no qualifications (10th in UK)

1991-2001 <4% growth in population with degrees: in lowest 10 cities

5 years from 2000, 20% decline in applications and enrolments from residents of Barnsley LEA

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The Challenge in Oldham The highest percentage of the population with a

Bangladeshi background in the North of England. At 8.6% this percentage is almost 16 times the national average.

Percentage of population from the Pakistani ethnic minority is 12.4%. It is one of the highest in the North of England and is over nine times the national average.

In some parts a white working-class culture with low educational aspirations

High index of deprivation reflected in a poor health record with a relatively high proportion, 19.2%, of those of working age who have limiting long term illnesses – this percentage is some 42% above the national average.

Low proportion of those in employment in professional and managerial occupations (16.7% c.f. national average of 26.3%)

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The Real Challenge – hard to recruit students in economically deprived areas

Widening participation in these areas “clearly represents a significant challenge for schools, colleges and HE providers as well as other stakeholders” (KPMG HE Market Demand Assessment, 2003)

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Academic and management issues

Academic and Management Issues at UCB and UCO

Distinct mission and curriculum – a new kind of University

Responding to local emerging need is complex

Some key on-site staff plus access to all services and staff at main site

Financial support to all Schools and Services

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Achievements at UCB

New students dramatic increase in 2006 97% p/t; 64% f/t

Overall headcount increase 27% HESES 2005 (headcount): FT 261 PT 214 2006 (headcount): FT 299 PT 303

Widening participation locally majority local (within 4/5 miles of campus) MOSAIC: ‘Industrial Grit’; ‘Coronation St’

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Top 8 postcodes for 06/07 entry. 50% of all new starters come from these 8 postcodes

Key post code areas

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Achievements at UCO

Overall headcount increase over 3 years is 34% HESES 2004 (headcount): FT 384 PT 242 HESES 2005 (headcount): FT 419 PT 369 2006 (headcount): FT 436 PT 408

Widening participation locally majority local Good ethnic mix Increasing numbers at OSFC to feed through

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Achievements & Challenges Lots still to learn Student numbers up but short of

very ambitious target for 2006/07 Need to strengthen the identity of

each Centre in local communities Need different curriculum in

each centre Towns are all different

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“Towns Like Us ?”

People and Place matterAll communities need their

own solutions.