Editorial Comment:

Section two of this report presents a number of case studies of widening participation initiatives. The role of information, advice and guidance is evident, although not always made explicit, in each of the studies.

This report suggests that guidance has a particularly significant role in supporting students as they move through their course and make decisions about option choice and the consequences of their choices. Guidance clearly has an important function in helping students make the transition into employment.

Information has a vital role to play in helping to raise potential students’ aspirations. For example Widening Participation in Leicestershire and De Montfort University, University of Leicester and University of Loughborough collaborated to produce and information pack for parents to help parents advise their children about further study.

The Further and Higher Project is a partnership between the University of Durham and local further education colleges. Some of the aims of the project were to raise aspirations and reduce dropout through adequate preparation for study. The aims specifically for pre-access students were confidence building, realisation of abilities, empowerment and the promotion of learning as a route to a better quality of life. For post access students, a programme has been developed to offer information and support as well as practical advice on university systems, procedures and terminology.

The National Mentoring Pilot Project’s aim was to pilot and evaluate a mentoring scheme whereby higher education students offer support, encouragement, guidance, information, technical expertise and personal direction to identified pupils in secondary and middle schools Education Action Zone.

The University of Central Lancashire has developed an on-line approach to CEG. Careers planning tools are available over the university IT network and careers education is offered over the internet. New careers education initiatives have been developed within the curriculum and a staff development pack has been produced to help non-specialist staff deliver careers education programmes.