Common use of Access and Outreach Clause in Contracts

Access and Outreach. The activities that we have included in our proposed programme have been selected based on evidence of impact either from Aimhigher or from the University’s own evaluation. Through the structured evaluation of our activities, we will draw together qualitative and quantitative elements to enable the measurement of their impact and effectiveness. The purpose of the evaluation is threefold: to underpin development to assess value for money to gather evidence of impact for accountability. The results of evaluation will inform ongoing development, enabling continuous improvement in ways of working and the identification of effective practice that has impact and provides value for money. The measurement of the effectiveness of activities and targeting will support accountability. The evaluation will include collection and analysis of participant data, together with impact evidence drawn from specific activities, supported by tracking of participants with regard to ongoing engagement with and progression to the University, along with retention and successful completion. We wish to ensure that activities are targeted effectively at appropriate learners and are inclusive of disabled learners and children in care/care leavers. A range of methods will be used to collect evidence to support evaluation of impact, including attitudinal surveys and focus groups with a sample of participants, plus activity surveys, together with feedback from school staff, advisers, tutors, etc. Where available and relevant, data on attainment and progression will also be used to inform the evaluation. We currently work closely with Keele University on the evaluation of collaborative activities delivered through Aimhigher and we will continue with this approach, ensuring that evaluation results for collaborative activities are shared and fed back to the appropriate senior managers and groups responsible for the delivery of the Access Agreement in each institution.