North Northamptonshire University Challenge Bid Statement of Intent submitted by the University of Northampton June 2009 North Northamptonshire University Challenge Bid Statement of Intent submitted by the University of Northampton Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 2 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 5 2: Rationale for the project ................................................................................................... 10 3: Aims, scope and scale ...................................................................................................... 15 4: Common evidence base .................................................................................................... 20 5: The local evidence base .................................................................................................... 22 6: Links with complementary local and regional developments ...................................... 32 7: Collaborative record of the educational partners .......................................................... 38 1 North Northamptonshire University Challenge Bid Statement of Intent submitted by the University of Northampton Executive Summary Introduction 1. This is a Statement of Intent (SoI) to bid for New University Challenge Finding to extend HE provision in North Northamptonshire (NN). NN comprises the boroughs and districts of Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough. The SoI is submitted by the University of Northampton which would be the lead partner. Tresham, a further education provider, would deliver the additional places. The University of Bedfordshire, which has existing links with both UN and Tresham, would validate some of the new programmes. 2. This bid is led by a strong educational partnership but it has been shaped by an established local partnership that has for the past 5 years been working to deliver a new vision for North Northamptonshire1. The partners are committed to overcoming a legacy of low expectations and under-investment, and to deliver through partnership and growth a prosperous economy for existing and new communities. Designated as the biggest single growth area outside London, NN has begun a process of transformation towards a place accommodating 35% more people, offering 47,400 new jobs and providing 52,100 new homes. However, low participation and low aspirations to participate in Higher Education have for some time been identified as a limitation which has contributed to a low skill, low wage economy across North Northamptonshire and local partners are determined to address this through widening participation, focusing on employers needs and harnessing the opportunities that a policy driven growth agenda represents. 3. The local authorities, and other organisations, have long recognised the importance of HE, both to existing residents and in enabling North Northamptonshire to fulfil its potential. Local organisations were quick to realise the potential of University Challenge and a lead group was formed by the partnership to work with the UN and Tresham to prepare and support this bid. The local authorities are committed to meeting the accommodation costs associated with expansion and have generated public interest and support for HE provision through a widely publicised petition. Rationale 4. There are a significant number of wards in NN which are in the top two benefit bands of the Common Evidence Base. This is true of all benefit measures, but especially in relation to the “1,500 threshold” metrics. We suspect that this reflects the existing provision at Northampton by the UN. In reality, as is demonstrated in the report, travel from NN to Northampton is difficult and not feasible for many residents. NN is, however, accessible from some of the cold spots to the North East of the sub-region. 5. The proposal is designed to meet three core local, regional and national policy objectives: 1 The members of the Partnership are (in addition to UN and Tresham): Corby Borough Council; East Northamptonshire Council; Kettering Borough Council; North Northamptonshire Development Company; Northamptonshire County Council; Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited; Northamptonshire Learning and Skills Council; Borough Council of Wellingborough, University of Bedfordshire. 2 North Northamptonshire University Challenge Bid Statement of Intent submitted by the University of Northampton Widening participation. Participation rates for young people and adults are low in the area with 14 of the 72 wards being in the lowest quintile for young participation and 18 in the lowest quintile for adult qualifications2. Experience, elsewhere and the evidence collected in preparing this SoI, demonstrates that local provision will improve participation rates; both because it enables cost-effective study and because local provision raises awareness and aspirations to study at HE level Employer needs. National data demonstrates a significant skills deficit in NN at level 4 and above. Surveys undertaken during the preparation of this SoI, and previously, indicate recruitment difficulties and a perception by employers that local provision is part of the solution; through retraining and recruitment of local graduates The Growth agenda. As already mentioned, NN is a designated growth area. Local provision will undoubtedly contribute to meeting the growth targets but will itself generate substantial additional demand. Real progress has already been made towards the targets and surveys of recent in-moving residents confirm that local provision will increase the chances of their children entering HE. The proposal 6. The partners‟ vision is to expand HE provision across NN through establishing new HE provision primarily at Corby, complemented by relevant enhancement at Kettering and Wellingborough and satellite provision through selected secondary schools. This Statement of Intent provides for expansion of HE provision based on Tresham and recognises that the Common Evidence Base demonstrates that substantial benefits would arise, in particular, from additional provision in Corby. Major LSC capital funding has just been confirmed3 for the Corby Campus (we understand this is one of only thirteen England wide bids to have been approved by LSC) and the proposed expansion in HE will build on capital redevelopment there. The proposal is to enhance opportunities for learners in the boroughs and districts of NN. The local evidence base supports the concept of „doorstep‟ provision which is critical to both take up and deliverability. The UN is confident that the ASNs can be delivered by the university partners working with Tresham in the north of the county. 7. UN and Tresham already work closely together and in recent years have developed significant new curriculum offers from Foundation Degree to Post Graduate levels. In collaboration with the University of Bedfordshire, a Curriculum Strategy from 2009 to 2014 has been prepared and there is broad agreement between the partners as to which programmes will be validated, supported and resourced by which University. 8. The planned curriculum is based on a number of key considerations. First, to support the growth agenda by focusing on key subject areas. Second, Joint curriculum planning with FE will be central to the partnership. Third, Both Tresham and the University wish to be more proactive around Foundation Degrees (FDs), particularly for learning in the work place, and 2 HEFCE, www.hefce.ac.uk/widen/polar/nat/data/ 3 26th June 3 North Northamptonshire University Challenge Bid Statement of Intent submitted by the University of Northampton certifying and topping up existing skills and workplace training. Fourth, to offer a whole university experience to learners. 9. We are committed to meeting the needs of existing local employers and in-movers. A Higher Level Skills strategy document on HE-FE partnerships in the County.4 Has been prepared to meet this need. 10. The main resources requested are for 500 Additional Student Numbers (ASNs). If this statement of intent proceeds to the next stage we would wish to discuss with HEFCE the possibility of accessing other funding support. The details of LSC funding have yet to be confirmed and this could be for capital and/or fitting out premises for certain subjects and our Stage 2 bid is likely to include a capital request to complement the LSC funding in respect of the provision of an “HE wing”. The local authorities have committed to providing accommodation through land and capital contributions in the short term. We will also seek funding to assist curriculum development. 4 http://www2.northampton.ac.uk/portal/page/portal/AEP/Document%20Store/research/hls-strategy- finalversion(pdf1.52mb).pdf. The partners include Moulton College and Northampton College as well as Tresham and UN 4 North Northamptonshire University Challenge Bid Statement of Intent submitted by the University of Northampton 1: Introduction Background 1.1 This Statement of Intent (SoI) is submitted, by the University of Northampton (UN) as the first stage of a bid to the New University Challenge for additional resources to expand and enhance HE provision in North Northamptonshire. North Northamptonshire is the single largest Government designated growth area outside London and comprises the Boroughs and Districts of Corby, Kettering and