What is education? Guest speaker 8

Widening Access in Wales was the subject for Tuesday’s lecture, which was taken by Alice Davies who has worked in ‘Reaching Wider’ for 8 years. The main aim is to drive and increase opportunities for people in education. They Show the importance of further and higher education by encouraging and helping those, and to get them onto he right paths that will lead to qualifications resulting in job opportunities. More and more people are going to university to further their knowledge and so they want this to continue to increase by providing programs and support. In order for this to work you have to target at the main points which are to offer support, and drive people because without willingness and aspirations they will not see their goals. Everyone can think of future goals that they would like to achieve but a lack of confidence, support and opportunity will prevent this, so ‘widening access’ have to embrace it. A big problem is that early teens will grow into adult hood with little qualifications feeling like they have no future and that it is too late to return into education. To solve this growing problem, educating children through Primary and Secondary school s on opportunities and showing what support is available will drive and strengthen their views on themselves, resulting in them wanting to use the best of their abilities to gain as much as they can. There is a variety of programs that are used to help prepare children when starting secondary and for college. Study Skills classes are available to teach on how to write CV’s, personal statements and some get the opportunity to go out to the local colleges to experience forehand what college can offer. All of this differs for each age group and it provides support and advice in most areas, they even offer a period where you can go for help when completely homework and revision classes. For each year group a tutor is in place to deal with any worries and concerns that you may have, career advises are also there to help and guide you in the direction you would like to pursue.
In order for this to happen funds are needed. HEFCW have different pots that they dip into depending on the circumstances of the areas and positions people are in such as disabilities. Deprived areas do result in poor education and are less likely to go onto further or higher education, this needs to be addressed. Learners coming from a care background have been known not to go onto further education, it is estimated that one third of care learners have no qualifications. I was really shocked to learn this and it just shows how important the role of widening access in wales plays, and it should be supported in funding and awareness to help those who are deprived of help and support. I personally have learnt a lot about what is put in place to promote and reach the aims, and providing further awareness is essential if we are to give everyone a fair and equal opportunity, no matter what their back ground.