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Brightside partners are being offered a 20% discount if they wish to attend the Westminster Briefing Conference The Way Forward For Participation and Fair Access: Establishing a socially mobile higher education system conference taking place between 10am and 4.30pm in Westminster on October 18th.

The conference has been called to address the issues around fair access to Britain's most selective universities after the recent White Paper on higher education and the end of Aimhigher funding in July. The Westminster Briefing Conference will give delegates the opportunity to develop their understanding of the Government’s plans to widen participation and establish fairer access to higher education. Participants will also have the chance to discuss how the workforce can adapt to the conclusion of the Aimhigher programme and make the most of initiatives that have already been announced, such as the NSP. Best practice case studies from across the country will ensure delegates are provided with practical advice to take back to their organisation.

Key issues will include:

• The Higher Education White Paper: what are the implications for HEIs and students?
• Widening participation: sustaining collaborative outreach, creating a national network?
• The National Scholarship Programme (NSP): ensuring its success
• Access agreements & OFFA’s future: what next for the fair access agenda?
• The National Careers Service: its funding, structure & quality standards
• Social mobility: what role can universities play?
• HE in FE: what kind of contribution can FECs make to widening participation?
• Part-time study: investing in flexible learning, recruiting and retaining students
• Best practice case studies: partnerships with schools and colleges, online delivery of WP
• Fees, grants and funding: changing the public’s perception of the cost of higher education

Confirmed speakers include:

• Mary Curnock Cook, Chief Executive, UCAS
• Kevin Mattinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Widening Participation, Keele University
• Graeme Atherton, Executive Director, WECAN Partnership, Aimhigher
• Deirdre Hughes, Immediate Past President, ICG
• Sue Guiver, Director, Brightside
• Chris Waterman, Director of Design, The Reduced Policy Company (chair)

Brightside partners should click here for the discount. The full agenda is available online and visit the Westminster Briefing website or contact John Nassoori on 0207 593 5739 or john.nassoori@westminster-briefing.com for more information.