Measuring the effect of Aimhigher on schooling attainment and higher education applications and entries

Aimhigher is a key government initiative to widen participation in higher education (HE). This article contributes to addressing a gap in the widening participation literature by measuring the effect of Aimhigher on compulsory schooling attainment, HE applications and HE entries. The research employs a new method based on multiple regression analysis carried out with the data gathered by an Aimhigher partnership. The results suggest that Aimhigher has had a positive impact on GCSE results and, especially, HE applications and entries; it is estimated that being targeted by Aimhigher is associated with an increase in the probability of entering into HE by about four percentage points

Delivering the Public Good of Higher Education: Widening Participation, Place and Lifelong Learning

The chapters were originally papers presented at the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) 2019 annual conference addressing four key themes or issues: 1. The public good of higher education – exploring and understanding the wider benefits of an inclusive higher education. 2. Place – examining the impact of place and context on higher education access and participation. 3. Lifelong learning – the role of higher education institutionally, regionally, nationally and internationally in creating and delivering lifelong learning opportunities. 4. Widening participation – challenging and innovative approaches to access and success in higher education and beyond

The value of introducing sensopathic materials in a play pedagogy programme during the reception year

Rich play enhances the child’s engagement during play, and this improves the potential for learning. This study examines the place of sensory materials focused on visual and tactile stimuli (sensopathic material) during guided play to improve learning in the reception year. Interviews with teachers and observation of the children while playing with sensopathic material were used to generate qualitative data at five schools that applied different play pedagogies. It was found that using sensopathic materials during play enriched young children’s play experience and increased their engagement. The critical role of teachers in the play process and the management of play was explored with the focus on facilitating learning both inside and outside the classroom using readily available sensopathic materials. This article creates awareness of the value of using sensopathic materials and illustrates how careful planning can enhance young children’s engagement during play and create learning opportunities in a playful manner.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ciey20hj2023Early Childhood Educatio