A new equality of opportunity risk register is among the
proposals for consultation, as the Office for Students (OfS)
today launches a consultation on its new approach to regulating
equality of opportunity in higher education.
The new equality of opportunity risk register, which will be
regularly updated, will set out the sector-level risks to
equality of opportunity in higher education – which could
include:
- Few disadvantaged students being
admitted, particularly to selective universities.
- Attainment gaps between different
school pupils.
- Not enough non-traditional routes
in higher education, such as degree apprenticeships.
Universities and colleges will be expected to consider the
register when setting objectives for their access and
participation plans and to provide information on how much
they are investing in this work. Their strategies should be based
on credible evidence and the OfS expects universities and
colleges to significantly improve the volume and quality of
evaluation to strengthen their understanding of what works.
Higher education providers should also include an accessible
summary as part of their plan, and work more closely with schools
to raise attainment to ensure fair access to higher education.
The consultation will take place over the next five weeks, with
views sought from schools, students and their representatives, as
well as the universities and colleges the OfS regulates.
This new approach follows the priorities John Blake, director for
fair access and participation at the OfS, set out in February
2022, which included developing and enhancing higher education’s
partnerships with schools; developing more diverse pathways
throughout higher education; and ensuring access to higher
education for students from underrepresented groups leads to
successful participation on high quality courses and good
graduate outcomes.
John Blake said:
‘Our priority remains ensuring all students from all backgrounds
are supported to access, succeed in, and progress from higher
education. Higher education can improve social mobility, yet too
often it is assumed that quality must be sacrificed to improve
equality. That must not be the case.
‘Research shows that the attainment gap opens early in life. We
believe that universities and colleges can benefit from closer
working with schools and charities to address the persistent gap
in participation and success between those from the most
advantaged backgrounds and their more disadvantaged peers.
‘We want to see better evaluation of access and participation
work at universities and colleges, and our new risk register will
provide a framework to support sector-wide collaboration which
highlights effective practice and identifies where improvement is
needed. Our proposals seek to strengthen the progress already
being made and encourage collaboration between universities,
colleges, schools and charities to identify and tackle barriers
throughout a student’s education to ensure they can succeed on
their chosen path. This regulation and greater sector
co-ordination will help ensure that choice not chance determines
who accesses and succeeds in English higher education.’
Subject to the outcomes of the consultation, it is envisaged that
the equality of opportunity risk register will be launched in
spring 2023 and that the proposed changes that focus on access
and participation plans would come into effect from 2024-25
onwards.
ENDS
Notes
- The Office for Students is the
independent regulator for higher education in England. Our aim is
to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a
fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their
lives and careers.
- The consultation will close on 10
November 2022.
- Ahead of the consultation, the
director for fair access and participation invited universities
and colleges to request variations to their current access and
participation plans to address the proposed national strategic
priorities for 2023-24 onwards. The OfS received 231 responses
from 250 higher education providers.
- Read John Blake’s priorities on access and
participation, which he set out in February 2022.