26 January 2009

HEFCE have published a document requesting higher education institutions (HEIs), and those further education colleges directly funded by HEFCE, to submit widening participation strategic assessments. The document outlines the framework for a flexible form of reporting that recognises the diversity of the higher education sector and provides guidance that sets out the expectations of HEFCE and the Office for Fair Access (OFFA).

Institutions will need to submit their first widening participation strategic assessment by Tuesday 30 June 2009. An interim progress report would be submitted in December 2009 with annual reports submitted in December of each year thereafter.

To support institutions in the preparation of their widening participation strategic assessments, two conferences will be held in March 2009. The first will be in central London on 18 March 2009 and the second will be in Leeds on 25 March 2009. Invitations to these events will be sent to heads of institutions early in 2009.

HEFCE's report can be downloaded from their website at http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2009/09_01/