In February this year after 15 years working in the Welsh HE sector, I jumped ship to Scotland.
The last few years in particular were marked by wholesale changes to the Welsh Post-16 sector and working hard to try and make real the statement “students at the heart of the system” in various ways.
The relief that I was somewhat leaving that behind was keenly felt. A chance to focus on the local work in an SU was welcome. The realisation that of course Scotland was starting the same process led to very much a “here we go again” moment.
From a sector perspective, the reforms make sense. Harmonise the Post-16 landscape and better reflect the reality. And yet, for all the talk of students being at the heart, as Jim points out, is just that – talk. Here we go again, indeed. I hope through the consultation process the student movement can work to properly strengthen that aspect and make it more of a reality.
It’s timely though, as I have been thinking a lot about the difference between Wales and Scotland in terms of student voice and representation. We watched from afar as Sparqs took off and did some amazing things, whilst the Welsh and English equivalents burned brightly and then faded away. One thing I was looking forward to was being in a sector that seemed to get “it”.
Disappointment is too strong a word, but nearly 6 months in, reality has set in. Whilst there are absolutely strengths to the mechanisms here, almost all of those strengths seem to be limited to the classroom.
Mind the gaps
One clear gap between the two systems is that in Wales, before a Fee and Access Plan can be sent to HEFCW, the Students’ Union must sign off on it. In Scotland, there is no equivalent process for Outcome Agreements.
If partnership is the name of the game (and it is, isn’t it?), surely the SU signing off the key document that oversees the student experience at an institution is key? When the very top of the structure doesn’t show the basic level of respect for student voice, it’s difficult to see how it can be secure anywhere else.
Similarly, whilst past posts of mine have made clear my frustration at the paucity of student representation on both HEFCW and Medr (the new name for the replacement regulator in Wales), in Scotland, student representation is limited to a subcommittee of the SFC. I’d hope that a strong consultation response from the sector would see some changes to that.
In a past post of mine on a similar concern in Wales I said, “There is no proper substitute for the authentic voice. A government that recently gave the vote to 16 year olds, mindful of the reality of the responsibilities on young people, should do better”.
In the consultation document, one of the business needs identified to make reform successful is, “1. Vision. The need for a more coherent vision, shared values and common purpose to avoid confusion for learners and employers”. If the SFC and Scottish Government would like a better understanding of the views and values of learners, maybe let them in the room?
To quote John Swinney in his foreword to the SNP Manifesto, “I have no doubt that everyone who lives in our wonderful, diverse country … are the best people to make decisions about Scotland’s future”.
Everyone deserves a voice in the place they exist. Couldn’t agree more John.
