SCAPP Updates - March 2025

 

 

SCAPP Conference 2025

Tickets are on sale now –  early bird rates available till 31st March 2025! Book here.

 

SCAPP Networking, Learning and Events Roundup

  

New Practitioner Network (NPN)
The photo on the left is from our NPN 2025 Launch event at the University of Stirling University on 5th March. Thanks to those who were able to join us and welcome to all 34 members of the 2025 group, over half of whom are completely new to SCAPP.  Our next session on “Equitable Access, Empowering Opportunities” is online on 27th March.  Registration remains open throughout the year for any practitioners with less than 3 years experience. Sign up today to benefit from the networking and development opportunities that our NPN can offer.

Evaluation Matters Community of Practice
12 groups (photo on right above from our launch event) are progressing with their work as members of SCAPP’s second Evaluation Matters CoP to develop their knowledge and skills to effectively evaluate WP projects.  Two meetings have now taken place and our next event is in-person training which is kindly being hosted at the University of Glasgow on the 3rd of April.

DAPP Accreditation Scheme
This month, meetings and associated work took place to progress our preparations for the next cycle of SCAPP’s accreditation scheme (DAPP) in autumn 2025.  Our review and renewal process this academic year has been focused on ensuring a rigorous yet user-friendly experience for future participants.

Mentoring for Access Professionals (MAPs)

18 pairs have reached the halfway point in this year’s process and we will be checking in with them individually over the next few weeks to offer support. Feel free to get in touch with Jill if you have any queries during your MAPS journey: scapp@stir.ac.uk.

Connect with Coffee
Our Connect with Coffee session on 19th March brought together 15 cross-sector colleagues to learn about UCAS data trends and their fair access programme with special guest, Ellie Rowley from UCAS.

SCAPP Opportunities

SCAPP seeks a new Chair!

Could you be the new Chair of the SCAPP Steering Group to lead SCAPP through the next phase of its development? See the SCAPP Jobs & Opportunities page for full details of the position and application process. The application deadline is 28 March 2025.

SCAPP Insights Series Webinar: Using the NAD – Tues 25th March 3pm – 4pm (Online on Teams)

SCAPP is hosting a free webinar, presented by the SFC, to provide insights into how colleges and HEIs can use the National Articulation Database. Find out more and sign up here.

SCAPP Connect with Coffee – Tues 22nd April 10am – 11am (Online on Teams)

The next free ‘Connect with Coffee’ session will provide an opportunity to find out more about the Universities and Colleges of Sanctuary Award initiatives. Special guest, Gün Orgun from City of Sanctuary UK, will join the SCAPP team to offer insight and answer your questions. Register here to attend.

If you have any suggestions for themes to discuss at future Connect with Coffee sessions, please let us know here.

Forthcoming Connect with Coffee Dates:

• Tues 20 May 10-11am
• Wed 18 June 10-11am

SCAPP Reminders

SCAPP LinkedIn
Have you started following our LinkedIn page yet? Join our growing community!

SCAPP Articulation Chat Thread
This has been set up as a pilot this academic year to connect colleagues across Scotland working in or interested in articulation. Find out more and sign up here.

Suggestions for the SCAPP Team
Share your ideas for additions and improvements to SCAPP’s programmes and opportunities anonymously here.

 

Other Sector News

Letter from Cabinet Secretary to the Education, Children and Young People Committee
Jenny Gilruth’s letter of 3rd March 2025 covers: tackling child poverty delivery plan, attainment budget, attainment gap and the North-East Scotland Free School Meals data sharing pilot amongst other things.

Widening Access to Higher Education Inquiry 
The Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People’s Committee short inquiry continues. Read the SPICE briefing and watch/listen to the recordings of evidence sessions to the committee here.

Estranged Students Working Group
The first meeting of this group happened on the 13th March and was attended by a good representation of universities, colleges and other interested organisations across Scotland.   There was a full and frank chat about our frustrations and also about our hopes and aspirations for working with this cohort to improve their support and access to higher education.  It was clear there was a lot of experience in the room and also a real shared sense of purpose to work together and make some actual change.  12 actions are to be taken forward before the next meeting which is an amazing and ambitious start.  The main areas of discussion were housing, funding and definitions. The actions are mostly about clarifying the current situation for estranged pupils and students and accessing some information and data we feel we need to move forward.  We are hoping to meet again towards the end of April and would welcome anyone who feels they want to be involved in this work.  If you would like to know more please email Alison at LEAPS on atrain@ed.ac.uk

Transitions Learning Project: Survey
Nicola Mulholland from New College Lanarkshire gave a presentation about her work on student transitions at the recent STEP Two: How will we work together? event. This enhancement project focuses on improving student transitions to higher education in Scotland through sharing best practice. The project aims to review existing learning and guidance programmes that support transitions and disseminate this knowledge across the Scottish tertiary sector, and seeks to enhance awareness of SCQF credit-rating and its role in supporting higher education entry. Institutions across Scotland’s tertiary sector have been invited to participate by sharing their transition initiatives via a Microsoft Form by 31st March. The project is seeking the input of STEP Network members in mapping the current landscape of learning and guidance programmes that have been developed in colleges and universities to support student transitions.

UCAS
UCAS has published Personal Statements for 2026 entry: Classroom resources. Also, the latest UCAS data shows a record 600,600 UK 18-year-olds have applied for a university or college place as of January 2025. In Scotland, there were 41,520 applicants, just over half were age 18 or younger. 15% of applicants (6,240) were age 25 or above. Applications from the most deprived area rose to 4.4% (from 2,480 to 2,590).

This Reports and insights | Undergraduate | UCAS link includes key insights from the previous cycle, as requested by teachers and advisers. You’ll also find all the latest reports and insights from UCAS to help you understand the specific needs and motivations of young people trying to decide on their next steps.

Below are links to some key resources for the 2026 cycle:
Applying To University With Individual Needs | UCAS
Personal statement for 2026 entry: Classroom resources | Undergraduate | UCAS
Student Eligible for Free School Meals
UCAS dates and deadlines for the 2026 cycle | Undergraduate | UCAS
The Annual Teacher and Adviser Conference 2025 round-up | Undergraduate, Conservatoires | UCAS

For enquiries about the UCAS Fair Access Programme, please email access@ucas.ac.uk.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
SDS has published SDS Pupils Voice Research 2024, providing insight from over 10,000 Senior Phase pupils on their experience of careers services, their aspirations, key influencers and career planning.

Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP)
SWAP East has changed its eligibility conditions. Individuals with Highers, HNCs, or equivalent who have been out of full-time education for 3-years (previously 5-years) can now apply to SWAP East courses. This has been updated on the SWAP website. Please note this does not extend to SWAP West.

College Development Network (CDN)
CDN’s EDI Strategic Network launched the ‘Celebrating Neurodiversity in Action‘ campaign for Neurodiversity Celebration Week, honouring the strengths and contributions of neurodivergent individuals. The ‘Celebrating Neurodiversity in Action‘ campaign will run from 17-23 March 2025 and aims to engage students, staff, and the wider community through educational resources, interactive activities, podcasts, and inspiring stories. The campaign webpage features a fantastic range of new podcasts, a marketing plan, and suggested activities.

Useful University Staff Contacts

Teachers and advisers may want to save this useful list of university staff contacts.