An Introduction to Widening Participation in Scotland

It is self-directed, online, and can be worked through at your own pace.

Click here to access the resource

It has been designed for Widening Access and Widening Participation practitioners including teachers, lecturers and other college and university staff who may engage with students from disadvantaged backgrounds and support underrepresented learners.

It aims to build knowledge and understanding of widening participation theories which inform practice, as well as past and present policies and priorities of the changing higher education landscape in Scotland. It will encourage you to critically reflect on successes and ongoing challenges in the sector and how they relate to your own practice.

It has been developed by industry professionals: Gill Ryan and Alison Train, in collaboration with a working group of new practitioners, consultation with SCAPP’s Learning & Development Working Group, and from contributions with numerous professionals and projects across the Scottish Sector.

If you have any comments of questions please email scapp@stir.ac.uk

Sections of this new resource include:

• Theories and terminology in WP
• History and Timeline of WP in Scotland
• Types of WP Interventions: Pre-entry, Post-entry and Alternative pathways
• Considering Evaluation
• Information on WP cohorts
• The skills needed by a Widening Participation Practitioner
• Reflection Points
• Case Studies and the sharing of professional journeys