Welcome to UCAS Wider Picture - our 2008/9 consultancy and staff development programme

This year's programme builds on the considerable success of previous programmes, which we have delivered in over 100 different organisational settings.

Delivered by highly experienced UCAS officers, and offered within locations of your choosing, the programme focuses on the post-14 curriculum, the UCAS Tariff, HE entry requirements and principles of good practice in offer making, fair admissions and widening participation, working with parents and electronic transformation of UCAS services. In short, the key issues that currently impact on progression to HE.

Who should attend?
  • Schools - heads of sixth form, sixth form teachers and tutors, careers staff, curriculum managers, members of senior management teams, AimHigher coordinators;
  • Colleges - tutors, guidance staff, AimHigher coordinators, curriculum managers, members of senior management teams;
  • Connexions/Careers companies - personal advisers, guidance officers, managers;
  • Professional bodies - staff involved with qualifications and progression;
  • Employers - staff involved with recruitment policy and practice, and training;
  • Students and parents.
What sort of topics can we cover?

Fair Admissions

Outlining areas of good practice; how Entry Profiles including information on fees and bursaries support the transparency agenda; options for assessing merit.

The UCAS Tariff

Understanding how the Tariff works; what additional qualifications will be included for 2008 entry.

New developments in 14-19 Curriculum

Impacts for HE admissions of the evolving 14-19 curriculum; latest developments in proposals for a system of diplomas in England and the Welsh Baccalaureate in Wales.

Vocational Qualifications

GCSEs and GCEs in applied subjects, BTEC/OCR Nationals, Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, Apprenticeships and NVQs and their value as a tool for HE progression.

Tools for Differentiation

Advanced Extension Awards, additional tests, interviews, possible quartile banding (for grade A at A level) and the provision of unit information.

Progression to Art & Design

Overview of HE subject choice in Art & Design, the important role of art foundation programmes, portfolio compilation and interview techniques.

Widening Participation

Update on WP topics such as AimHigher, compact arrangements, summer schools and other interventions and exploration of why and how UCAS might add value to institutional, sub-regional or regional institutions.

Mature Entry to HE

Advice for guidance and education liaison staff; proposed QA framework for recognisng post-19 achievement; new Age Legislation implications; proposed introduction of a credit system.

Factors for successful applications

Writing references and personal statements; strategies for making students discerning consumers of HE (how to undertake effective pre-application research utilising UCAS electronic services). Very useful as an induction for those new to pastoral care.

Engaging Parents

Strategies for involving parents of younger-age school students in aspiration and awareness-raising for progression to HE; support by UCAS staff for school/college/Connexions HE information activities for parents.

The rate for this service is £300 per session (maximum 2 hours). Travel and accommodation, where appropriate, will be charged. These costs can be discussed on enquiry. This charge applies to bookings within the UK only, however bookings are welcome from other countries. If you wish to book additional sessions for the same day, to cover the same topic, the charge for each subsequent session is £65. The charge for additional sessions on the same day to cover different topics is £125.

These consultancy sessions are extremely popular and it is always beneficial to make your booking at least two months in advance to avoid disappointment.

What do our customers say about us?

"Thank you very much for an excellent session. We will certainly rebook next year."
Head of Sixth Form, Berkshire

"I think the fact that the students were so engrossed for an hour and half is the best example of how important and useful they found the session - they are really focused and motivated to build on what they learned - thank you very much!"
Director of Sixth Form, Salford

"The session was both enjoyable and informative. The pace was just right and presented in a way that makes the subject matter easily digestible."
Nextstep Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin

"I enclose the evaluation form with a huge thank you from myself and the delegates. Your session went down very well and I know that we will be asking for a repeat performance next year."
Regional Director, ISCO

"Thank you very much for coming down and for giving us two such excellent sessions. You certainly hit the mark. The Head was delighted. Senior management felt it was absolutely on target and I have had an enormous amount of feedback, all very positive, from the staff who felt that you made the material accessible, interesting and relevant. Many thanks indeed."
Sixth Form Coordinator, Dorset

"Many thanks for your contribution to the event and helping to make it a success. The initial feedback is very positive with the majority of delegates finding the presentations and workshops highly relevant and informative. I hope we have the opportunity to work together on future projects."
Royal Society of Chemistry

If you have any queries regarding the Wider Picture consultancy service then please contact Sarah Searle on 01242 545712.

The booking form for this programme is available as a PDF file for you to download and print out. Please indicate when making a booking which of the above topics you wish to select as the focus for your UCAS Wider Picture presentation.