HC Deb 08 June 1982 vol 25 cc90-3W
Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to the answer by the Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Basildon on 25 May, concerning special access courses, (1) he will encourage the development of other similar courses open to the indigenous population to enable persons without examination qualifications to move into higher education;

(2) what research has been commissioned by his Department to assess the effectiveness of special access courses; whether such research is carried out by his Department or by outside agencies; if he will list in the Official Report those agencies, if any, which are involved in that research; when he expects the conclusions of their research to be reached; and if he will make a statement;

(3) if he will list the special access courses provided for members of the ethnic minorities by his Department;

Providing local education authority College Title of course Length Linked institution of higher education
Birmingham Bourneville New Way. A new route for adults into higher education 2-year part-time Birmingham Polytechnic
Bradford Bradford Mature students certificate (1980–82) 2-year part-time Bradford College
Mature students certificate (1981–83) 2-year part-time ditto
Inner London Brixton Alternative Access 1-year full-time Polytechnic of the South Bank
City and East London Preparatory BEd 1-year full-time Polytechnic of North London
Preparatory BEd 1-year part-time ditto
Preparatory BEd (Mathematics specialisation) 1-year full time ditto
University preparation 1-year full-time University of Essex
University preparation 1-year part-time ditto
Diploma in Social Work 1-year full-time Polytechnic of North London
Kingsway Princeton Evening degree preparation 1-year part-time ditto
Paddington Access 1-year full-time Middlesex Polytechnic
South East London Preparatory BEd (Goldsmiths') 1-year full-time Goldsmiths' College
Southwark Access 1-year full-time Polytechnic of the South Bank
Careers Foundation in Science 1-year full-time City of London Polytechnic
Westminster Preparation BEd (access) 1-year full-time Polytechnic of the South Bank
Woolwich Preparatory BEd 1-year full-time Avery Hill College
Leicestershire Charles Keene Open College (September 1980-December 1981) 4 terms part-time Leicester Polytechnic
Open College (September 1981-December 1982) 4 terms part-time ditto
Manchester Abraham Moss Centre Open College Special preparatory course for entry to higher education (1980–82) 2-years full-time Manchester Polytechnic
Special preparatory course for entry to higher education 1981–82 1-year full-time ditto
Fielden Park Special entry to higher education (1980–82) 2-years full-time Manchester College of Higher Education
Special entry to higher education (1980–83) 2-years full-time ditto

(4) if he will publish in the Official Report the numbers of pupils involved in special access courses; and if he will list the ethnic minorities from which they came;

(5) if he will list in the Official Report those educational institutions to which special access courses apply.

Dr. Boyson

Special access courses are designed to cater particularly, but not exclusively, for students with ethnic minority backgrounds. In the current academic year there are 23 courses running, details of which are as follows:

There are 371 students on these courses of whom 62 are continuing students from the previous session. Of the 309 entrants in 1981,150 are of Caribbean origin, 9 Asian, 127 white and 23 from other groups.

Arrangements have been made by the Department to monitor and evaluate the courses. This is being done by research based upon Ealing college of higher education. A steering group with representatives of the local education authorities concerned, the Commission for Racial Equality, the Central Council for Education and Training of Social Workers, Her Majesty's Inspectorate and the Department has been formed to monitor the research. The evaluation will continue until 1983, by when the first students who took preparatory courses in 1979–80 should be completing their degrees. It is too early to attempt to draw firm conclusions about the success of the courses or about their future.