Incorporation of the National Arts Learning Network (NALN) into ukadia means that the widening participation agenda remains a focus for specialist arts, design and performing arts colleges.

Across four years NALN saw over 1,800 learners progress to its member colleges, tackling one of its key aims to increase the number of vocational learners progressing onto art and design higher education courses. The ongoing commitment of member colleges to support the Progression Manager role provides a great opportunity for ukadia to build on this work as well as supporting learners’ progression onto employment or continuing professional development in the creative and cultural industries.

Overcoming the barriers to HE

The focus remains on vocational learners, as research* shows that these tend to be students from less privileged backgrounds, and are also more likely to be from black and minority ethnic groups. We believe that HE Art, Design and Performing Arts presents additional barriers to participation for working class young people. For example, the necessity of studying for an additional year on a Foundation Diploma before entering HE art and design, the requirement of a portfolio or audition as part of the selection process, and the additional cultural knowledge required to perform successfully at interview. However, NALN’s work around progression agreements has provided a framework of opportunities that has had great success in tackling these barriers. Find out more about Progression Agreements here >>>>

Research into widening participation

Alongside progression agreements, NALN undertook various projects to conduct research, look into Admissions Practices, understand and cater for the needs of students from diverse backgrounds as well as looking at the postgraduate landscape in terms of the widening participation agenda. Take a look at NALN’s projects & research here >>>>

These projects and research have pointed to a number of topics that require further development and research. In this new phase of work, ukadia will return to the issue of Admissions Practice to consider models for Fairer Admissions. Ideas for this project will be guided by a working party of representatives from member institutions.

* Connor, H., Sinclair, E., and Banerji, N., Progressing to higher education: vocational qualifications and admissions, Action on Access, Ormskirk.

If you would like further information on NALN's work please contact Maria Oliver: m.b.oliver@arts.ac.uk