WL LLN Targets - Progress to Date

Tuesday 09 September 2008Comment on this article Permlink

WL LLN Targets - Progress to Date

Signed Progression Agreements between the partner institutions
  • West London Progression Accord signed by all partners
  • 2 signed progression agreements
  • 61 progression agreements in development.

The WL LLN has prioritised the use of progression agreements to create new opportunities for progression rather than re-badging existing compacts or agreements.

The following progression agreements have been signed:

WL LLN staff are working with partners to develop a further 61 progression agreements in a wide variety of subject areas, many due for completion this Autumn.

Credit schemes harmonised

Following the publication of the HE Credit Framework for England in August 2008 by the HEFCE and QCA led Credit Issues Development Group, the WL LLN is putting together an internal working group to examine the framework and to explore what value the WL LLN can add on a local or regional level.

Working relationship with South London and other LLNs developed and operating effectively

The WL LLN continues to work closely with other London and regional LLNs. Recent activities include:

An increase in progression of vocational learners into HE

Target: 20% increase from 2005/06 baseline data

Actual to 2006/07: Data not yet available

Initial data has been gathered via the Higher Education Statistics Agency regarding the numbers of vocational learners in West London progressing into HE from our FE partners in 2005/06 and 2006/07.

The data is currently being analysed to identify any percentage increase in progression during this period and similar data analysis will take place year on year to assess whether this target has been reached over the 3 year lifespan of the WL LLN.

Research will also be conducted upon completion of WL LLN progression projects to establish their impact on progression to HE for vocational learners in the region.

A proportionate increase in retention and achievement of vocational learners on HE courses

Target: 5% increase from 2005/06 baseline data

Actual to 2006/07: Data not yet available

Initial data has been gathered via the Higher Education Statistics Agency regarding the retention and achievement figures for vocational learners in West London in 2005/06 and 2006/07.

The data is currently being analysed to identify any percentage increase in these areas during this period and similar data analysis will take place year on year to assess whether this target has been reached over the 3 year lifespan of the WL LLN.

Research will also be conducted upon completion of WL LLN projects that aim to improve retention and achievement to establish their impact for vocational learners in the region.

New Foundation Degrees developed

Target: 14 new FDs benefiting at least 200 learners

Actual to end August 2008: 16 new FDs supported with 8 learners registered in 2006/07

The WL LLN has now supported the development of 16 new Foundation Degrees in the Health & Social Care, Heathrow and STEM sectors.

Courses in Salon and Spa Management; Managing Volunteers; Substance Use and Misuse; and Working with Long Term Conditions are starting this month with a further 3 FDs due to start in January/February 2009 and 6 additional courses beginning this time next year.

Recruitment data updates will appear in future newsletters.

Learners benefiting from Level 4 learner support provision

Target: 1,200

Actual to end August 2008: 397

The WL LLN is working with partners to develop additional learner support for their students studying at Level 4 or above.

Through interventions such as intensive Maths support for Engineering students or workshops on exam and assignment preparation, the WL LLN has supported small groups of learners to develop valuable study skills that can increase their levels of achievement.

In some cases, the support they have received has meant the difference between staying on course and failing to progress.

With Brunel University the WL LLN has also supported the Maths Café used by 352 students over a two week period.

The Maths Café was a drop-in service over the revision period to provide tutorial assistance to any student urgently needing help as the examination period approached.

Run as a pilot study, initial evaluation shows that the assistance provided was highly valued by those who took advantage of it and plans are underway to roll the concept out to other partners within the WL LLN.

Partner institution and employer staff undertaking CPD activities related to the project

Target: 750

Actual to end August 2008: 1,510

The focus for the WL LLN has been to provide CPD activities for partner staff and for practitioners working in IAG for those considering HE.

To this end, the WL LLN has provided information presentations and workshops to over 350 people on subjects relevant to the mission of the WL LLN, such as:

  • The new Diploma
  • Progression agreements
  • Foundation Degrees
  • Using blended learning and podcasting.

We have also collaborated with the North West London Care Consortium to provide a series of CPD workshops and events for over 750 care workers and managers in the region covering topics key to the profession such as:

  • Direct Payments
  • Understanding Dementia
  • The Mental Capacity Act.
Learners recruited onto re-formatted undergraduate programmes

Target: 300

Actual to end August 2008: 74

The WL LLN provided funding for Kingston University to reformat their final year top-up from HND and Foundation Degree to full BSc Honours Degree in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems Design to increase the numbers of learners successfully progressing onto and completing the Level 6 programme.

Following changes to the programme the progression onto the top-up increased by 66 students from the previous year. Programme revisions included an:

  • Early and extended induction
  • Revised and varied assessment methods
  • Peer networking
  • Timetable restructuring to ease part-time attendance
  • Additional tutor support.
Learners accessing additional eLearning support

Target: 1000

Actual to end August 2008: 0

After a slow start in this area, several requests for support to develop e-learning projects and materials have now been agreed including the development or conversion of learning modules and support materials to the eLearning format.

In addition, Brunel University has begun the Getting started with eLearning project to actively introduce new transitional students to the features and tools of Brunel’s virtual learning environment (u-Link).

Learners receiving materials and focused IAG advice, and attending LLN events

Target: 3,000

Actual to end August 2008: 2,410

To date 2,183 learners have received materials produced by the WL LLN either through their College tutors or at local and national events such as Adult Learners Week.

This includes 338 copies of the WL LLN How to…Guide providing information on exam and study skills.

Additionally, 227 learners have received information and/or advice either directly from WL LLN staff through phone and email queries or through projects we support.

Web hits across the three years of the project

Target: 150,000

Actual to end August 2008: 74,890

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