Helen Vine, Hereford College of Arts
Janey Hagger, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design

Over the past two years, Hereford College of Arts and Central Saint Martins have worked in partnership on a progression model; In 2006 CSM developed an innovative pilot ‘Preparation for HE’ programme comprising a one-week summer school and a programme of workshops for vocational route students on BTEC National Diploma Art and Design from inner-London FE colleges with widening participation catchments. The same programme was subsequently adopted and adapted by Hereford College of Arts.

The programme prepared students for HE by addressing the language and culture of HE Art and Design and preparing portfolios for degree course interviews, the programme has been evolving ever since.

This workshops aimed to showcase these courses, compare the findings of the two schemes and contrast the variety of different experiences and issues arising between an urban college traditionally recruiting students from the ‘golden route’ and a rural institution recruiting students from both vocational and traditional routes.

The workshops included tutors and student participants and explored the students’ journey onto higher education.

Progression at HCA and CSM