Our whole provider approach
Our 2020-25 Access and Participation Plan (APP) marked a significant shift in our approach. The APP is now a core part of our University, led by our Vice Chancellor and integrated into the work of our faculties and professional services. We are committed to enhancing equality of opportunity for our students, guided by our University Strategy (2023-2027). This strategy outlines our priorities, purpose, foundations of success, and values:
Priorities: Student experience, learning and teaching, research, and staff.
Purpose: Social impact.
Foundations of Success: Our campus, place and communities, how we work, finance and resourcing.
Values: Inclusivity, sustainability, aspiration, and trust.
Our strategy ensures we address risks to equality of opportunity. We have sub-strategies like the Learning and Teaching Strategy, People Strategy, and Estate Development Framework, each managed by our University Leadership Team (ULT). Each intervention in this Plan is sponsored by a ULT member to ensure effective leadership, outcomes, and accountability.
Whole Provider Staff Engagement
In August 2023, our Vice Chancellor merged our Equality and Access teams to form a core department focused on equality of opportunity for underrepresented students. This team developed the APP and reports to the APP Steering Group, chaired by the Vice Chancellor. The Steering Group includes diverse stakeholders, including student representatives, and governs the APP’s development, objectives, and evaluation. The APP is a standing item on all institutional committee agendas, ensuring regular progress updates.
Our APP informs our approach to training, research, and innovation. Initiatives like Learning and Teaching Innovation Bids, URB@N Projects, and APP Ambassador roles include APP objectives. Outcomes from these projects are shared at staff development days and captured in our Learning and Teaching Enhancement Hub. Our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion workshops, part of our AdvanceHE accredited programme, complement our APP by focusing on an inclusive curriculum for all students.
Whole Provider Student Engagement
Students have been deeply involved in developing the APP through regular engagement with our Students’ Union and a Student Equality Consultants panel. This panel includes students from underrepresented backgrounds, providing unique insights. A key success was the development of Trust Guidelines, part of our personal support strategy, demonstrating our commitment to student voice.
Our Student Equality Consultants will continue to be part of our APP Steering Group, holding us accountable to our commitments and helping us achieve the best possible student experience. We aim to foster a culture of collaboration with students, using their feedback and other evidence to improve their experience at the University.
Importance of the Whole Student Lifecycle
Our Widening Access Team works with young people from Key Stage 2 onwards, and our Student Futures Team supports undergraduates into skilled employment or postgraduate study. We offer careers support for life and discounted postgraduate study for alumni. At each stage of the student lifecycle, we have support teams and strategies in place, putting students at the heart of our delivery. This approach has been strengthened by a restructure initiated by our Vice Chancellor, creating new directorates.
Alignment with Other Strategies
Our APP is supported by our Learning and Teaching Strategy, which aims to create an inclusive academic community and address award gaps. The Estate Development Framework (2023-2033) focuses on identity and belonging, recognizing the role of our physical estate in students’ learning and experience.
Overall, our APP is built on our strategic vision and adheres to the Equality Act 2010. It reflects our commitment to eliminating discrimination, increasing equality of opportunity, and improving student outcomes. We pledge to support underrepresented students throughout their higher education journey.