NEON Summit: The age-old question – Mature students, higher education and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement

NEON Summit

There has been a concerning trend of decreasing numbers of mature students in higher education over recent years. Not only are fewer mature learners entering universities, these older students are also more likely to drop out of their course and tend to have poorer degree outcomes compared to their peers. With mature students being a target group for Access and Participation Plan work as defined by the Office for Students, there is an evident need for enhanced support for these learners to enable them to access and succeed in higher education.

What is the event about?

This one-day online summit gives delegates the opportunity to look into the student journey of a mature learner from access and transition, through to success as well as alternative provision in an ever-changing world of higher education. By having this opportunity delegates will learn how this important group of students can be better supported to both access, and succeed in higher education. Speakers from across the sector will come together as part of online breakout rooms to discuss a number of thematic areas, laying out key challenges and sharing good practices. There will also be an opportunity to hear from current mature learners to better understand their experiences of UK higher education.

By the end of the summit, delegates will get a better understanding of how to strengthen their  support for mature students within their own institutions. The event also offers a vital opportunity for colleagues to network with other higher education practitioners who are committed to making a difference to mature learners.

Speakers and presenters include:

• Caroline McDonald, Former Director of Access and Engagement at Birkbeck, University of London
• Mona Kadhum, Access Officer in Student Transition and Success at Birkbeck, University of London
• Charlotte Thackery, Outreach and Inclusion Lead at University College of Estate Management
• Andrea Todd, Associate Professor of Law at University of Chester
• Gemma Standen, Widening Participation Officer for Mature Students at University of East Anglia
• Roisin Quinn, Student Access and FE Relationship Manager at University of Exeter
• Sam Pollard, Senior Lecturer in Physiology & Healthcare Science at University of Exeter
• Fiona Chapel, Communities and Partnerships Manager at University of Leeds’s Lifelong Learning Centre
• Lauren Huxley, Student Experience Officer at University of Leeds’s Lifelong Learning Centre
• Laura Conroy, Student Success Officer at University of Leeds’s Lifelong Learning Centre
• Fiona Chapel and Esther Bissel, from the Communities and Partnerships Team at University of Leeds’s Lifelong Learning Centre
• Dr Charlotte Barratt, Student and Education EDI Project Manager at University of Leicester
• More presenters to be announced

Who should attend?

• Higher education professionals with responsibility for widening access
• Higher education professionals with responsibility for student support
• Higher education professionals with responsibility for student transition
• Higher education professionals who engage with mature learners through their outreach provision
• Higher education professionals with an interest in diverse routes into HE for mature learners
• Higher education professionals considering flexible forms of study for mature learners