Uni Connect (NCOP) Update - Linking London Update

We are still working towards an overall target of 286 ward learners this academic year, pending confirmation from the DfE.

Further learners (Year 1 students) are expected in January and we are also now able to work with Level 2 learners. This is a great addition to our portfolio, and in Hub 2 this innovative work is underway already. We are pleased to report we have now received enrolment data from all colleges.

In Hub 1 there have been very many one to one sessions provided by both the Engagement Coordinator and the One to One Support Officer, with additional personal statement support being provided by Linking London’s Programme Officers. We have recruited for the role in Barking and Dagenham College and Havering Sixth Form College, more detail to follow in due course. In Hub 2 at Coulsdon College, a great deal of support has been provided to students with their personal statements, as well as one to one sessions on progression options and apprenticeships. Across the London South East Colleges, our Engagement Officer has organised sessions on career pathways in IT, personal statements, CV and interview techniques, all delivered by Middlesex University London. Tass has also delivered a large number of one to one sessions on personal statements and general IAG. In Hub 3, St Mary’s University, Twickenham delivered a successful group session virtually, to Richmond-upon-Thames College students, on how to approach a personal statement.

Centrally, we can now share with you the summary report of the End of Programme Learner Survey for the previous academic year. Headlines include that learners have increased their knowledge of Higher Education across all aspects surveyed, with knowledge of the support available showing the largest improvement. As well as feeling more confident that they have the knowledge to make a decision about continuing onto higher education study, learners also appear to be more confident to make a decision about continuing their studies after college. Learners also appear to have more information about qualifications and training in relation to jobs or careers that they are interested in.

We are very sad to be saying goodbye to Aye Ikomi, our Programme Officer, who stepped up to the role of Programme Manager while Sarah was on maternity leave, and kept the project running single-handedly until Ruby joined in September. I’m sure you’ll join us in thanking her so much for a huge contribution. Happily, Ruby has accepted the offer to stay in post as Programme Officer until the end of the project in 2021.

We have produced an up to date student finance guide for academic year 2021/22, for parents and carers, as well as an email bulletin for parents and carers on virtual work experience. This will form part of a series on relevant themes, responding to demand from colleges as to the most pressing issues for their ward learners.

Linking London NCOP – Outreach Hub Update

Our Access to HE Diploma Package launched on October 19^th and consisted of eleven pre-recorded videos, produced by our university partners, to support Access to HE students at the beginning of their UCAS application journey – over 130 people, students and staff, registered to receive this package and you can find all the videos here. We also held a live Q&A with three student ambassadors from partner universities to answer student questions which went well. We compiled some of their top tips into a resource for students which can be found alongside all our resources here. Our bulletin continues to highlight online outreach activities, you can see past issues here and subscribe here. As always, if you have any questions or requests for support, do get in touch with Jess and Melanie.