Forth Valley College’s Widening Participation Project (WPP) was officially launched on Thursday 23 November at an event attended by many partners from across the Forth Valley region.
The WPP is a two-year project funded by The Robertson Trust and Forth Valley College, which will run until June 2024.
Held at FVC’s Stirling Campus, around 30 people from a variety of organisations including: various secondary schools, Skills Development Scotland, Stirling Council Education leads, Falkirk social work teams, local Carers’ centres, as well as a number of FVC staff members, participated in the event.
Sarah Tervit, FVC’s Widening Participation Coordinator, said: “Widening Participation (WP) activities and interventions are aimed at creating an education system that includes all who can benefit from it. These activities and interventions are particularly focused on those facing social, cultural, economic or institutional barriers and typically under-represented groups. Examples of under-represented groups include those who are Care Experienced, have protected characteristics, are unpaid Carers, adult returners, and those facing financial disadvantage.
“Retention and achievement rates for students from WP backgrounds remain below those of their more advantaged peers. The WPP recognises the impact a positive transition into FVC can have upon the student experience, retention and achievement. Therefore, the focus of the project is enhancing the transition journey for students from WP backgrounds.
“The event sought to introduce the aims of the WPP to key College staff along with our close partners, and to begin constructive conversations about how we can work together to co-create this enhancement work.”
Colin Gunning, FVC Operations Manager, said: “Very helpful to have colleagues from a wide variety of areas involved in meaningful discussion.”
Alan Hamilton, Depute Headteacher, Stirling High School, said: “I think this is such an important piece of work - thank you for inviting me.”
Emma Matthews, Area Manager, Skills Development Scotland, said: “It was an excellent event and really good to be part of a long-term strategy.”
For more information including the presentation from the event and the project logic model detailing the project objectives visit the WPP Sharepoint pages here.
Photos were taken by second year HND Photography students Callum Milligan, Charles McGuigan and Kara Boland.
