Widening participation, supporting success

Watson, J. (1970) Widening participation, supporting success. 3rd Asia Pacific Occupational Therapy Congress, Singapore. 14 - 17 Sep 2003.

Abstract

Government agendas seek to widen participation in university education. Reforms of the National Health Service incorporate a commitment to increase the number of occupational therapists being trained. As a result the nature of recruitment has changed with an increase in the number of students entering occupational therapy undergraduate courses with non-traditional entry qualifications. It has, however, become evident that a significant proportion of these non-traditional entry students had difficulty managing the academic requirements of the first year of the occupational therapy program. In response, the School of Health Professions & Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Southampton developed an innovative ‘Summer School’ program. The aims of Summer School were to: ? orient students to the University & School ? provide a structured introduction to the learning resources available ? develop & extend initial study skills ? provide a foundation & introduction to Biological Sciences. Analysis of the immediate feedback received from the first cohort was very favourable, with students unanimously endorsing the concept & recommending its continuation for future intakes. Students were asked to complete a second questionnaire three months after the Summer School to reflect on the long-term benefits during their first year of study. The academic results of the students have also been used as a means of evaluating the success of the program. Preliminary findings indicate that Summer School has great potential in preparing students with non-traditional entry qualifications for study at an undergraduate level.

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Contributors

Author: J. Watson

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