Widening Access in the Community |
1. What is the Widening Access Programme?
John Wheatley College's Widening Access Programme provides College tutors for community groups.2. What form does the funding take?
The funding is made available in the form of tutor time.3. Who can apply for it?
The Fund is targeted towards groups whose members would normally be unable to access learning opportunities and there must, therefore, match the following criteria applied to qualify for funding.These are as follows:
· not for profit organisations
· within College catchment area
· excluded groups (e.g. unemployed, low-waged)
· viable numbers (approx 10 but this varies)
· new learners (if possible)
· learners willing to progress (through individual learning plans)
4. What kind of learning is available?
In general, the courses supported are available from the College's current portfolio, taught by College staff and generally within normal College hours.If the course wanted is not normally covered by the College (see prospectus) please make enquiries anyway: we may be able to provide support.
Courses should have a clear progression route identified and should support the development of core skills (IT, Communications, Numeracy, Working with Others, Problem Solving) as well as having a vocational, Personal or Social Skills development focus.
Examples of courses provided previously include:
· computing
· communications
· vocational arts skills
· administration skills for community groups
· confidence building and
· healthy eating - and many more subject areas from the College portfolio.
The fund is also available to support community capacity building and the College is happy to consider applications from community or social economy organisations that, in the absence of an appropriate training budget, may be in need of training for their employees or volunteers in order to support the development of the organisation.
Individual courses will be no more than 12 weeks in length and will normally be delivered within one of the College's three teaching blocks. It may be possible to arrange continuing courses provided that they support the development of new skills at each stage, and provided that there are enough people wishing to continue onto each new stage.5. How Do We Apply?
The Fund is limited so it is best to apply as soon as possible. If you know your requirements for the entire year then it is advisable to submit applications right away for all three sessions (Aug - November, November - March, March - June).Please bear in mind that we would normally hope to see groups progressing from one level/subject to another. For example, from Basic Computing a group may wish to move to Information Technology 1.
If your group is applying for the first time and is not sure of the most appropriate learning for them, the College is happy to have a member of staff come out and discuss your requirements with you. We would normally recommend that a group would begin with 2-3 hours per week for around 4-6 weeks as a taster, and then move on to another burst of learning for the next 6-8 weeks, and so on.
These notes are attached to the application form which should be submitted to Alan Inglis at John Wheatley College ainglis@jwheatley.ac.uk, or via post at East End Campus, 2, Haghill Road, Glasgow, G31 3SR). If you'd like to arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements or for assistance in completing the form, please call Alan on 0141 588 1500 and arrangements will be made).
6. What are the stages in the application process?
First, clarify your requirements with the group you represent.Fill in and submit the application form to Alan Inglis, Assistant Principal, John Wheatley College (ainglis@jwheatley.ac.uk).
The College will process the application within 10 working days and will be in touch regarding any issues arising from the application itself.
If the application is approved in principle, the College will seek an appropriate tutor available for the times required and will be in touch to confirm start dates.
7. Under what circumstances might funding be withdrawn?
If, after your application has been accepted, you wish to alter the details of your programme of learning (for example, a change of start date or hours per week) then the College will try to accommodate your new requirements, provided an appropriate period of notice is given. However, should your requirements be materially altered then the College reserves the right to review your application.Significantly, should your learner numbers fall below an acceptable and viable level then, again, the College would review the programme of learning. In these circumstances the College will endeavour to identify appropriate alternatives based in nearby partner learning centres or the main College campuses.
Please remember, however, the Widening Access Fund is there to assist your own group members and, where possible, the College will seek to work in partnership with your organisation to develop the most appropriate learning programmes for you.