Formby, Adam ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8248-5368, Woodhouse, Anna and Basham, Jemma (2020) Reframing widening participation towards the community: a realist evaluation. Journal of Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 22 (2). pp. 184-201.

Preview	Text Article D - Formby et al - copy-edited (2) (1).pdf - Accepted Version Download (271kB) | Preview
	Text Article D - Formby et al - copy-edited (2).docx - Accepted Version Download (98kB)

Abstract

This article draws on an evaluation of Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) Uni Connect – an initiative by the Office for Students (OfS) to reduce educational inequalities through collaborative widening participation (WP) outreach across West Yorkshire. It contributes to wider debates on widening participation policy through demonstrating how Higher Education Progression Officers (HEPOs) normalised ‘progression’ based on community and learners’ needs. We deploy realist evaluation to examine the role of HEPOs in a range of educational contexts where young people historically do not progress on to higher education (HE) at the same rates as their peers when GCSE results are taken into account. While there are complexities around the introduction of WP resources in such communities, the article highlights the importance of contextualised WP, and offers a new model of community-focused WP that incorporates learners’ needs, educational institutions and the wider community space in which they reside.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.5456/WPLL.22.2.184
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
School/Department:	York Business School
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/4635

University Staff: Request a correction | RaY Editors: Update this record