-----Original Message-----
From: aimhigher [mailto:aimhigher@harrisoncowley.com] 
Sent: 10 March 2005 16:12
To: aimhigher
Subject: Aimhigher Practitioner Bulletin - March 2005

Welcome to the first edition of the monthly Aimhigher practitioner bulletin, designed to provide all those working for Aimhigher with relevant programme news and details of national resources.
 
If you have comments or suggestions on the content of the bulletin, or any other communications enquiries, please contact the National Communications Resource Team (NCRT) on 0117 929 7096 or email aimhigher@harrisoncowley.com.

Aimhigher practitioner website launched
The national Aimhigher practitioner site is now live, bringing together information previously available on the Action on Access and DfES programme sites, together with a range of other resources requested by practitioners. The site includes latest Aimhigher news, forthcoming events and national resources for practitioners, together with details of national, regional and area contacts and websites. A password-protected discussion forum enabling practitioners across the country to share ideas and experiences will be launched in the coming weeks. 
 
The NCRT are responsible for developing the site content and are keen to hear your comments and suggestions via the online feedback form or by email to aimhigher@harrisoncowley.com. 
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner 

Support for regional and area websites
Whether you are thinking of developing a new website for your region or area or revamping your existing site, or if you just want an Aimhigher web address, click on the link below for details of the web development support available to regional and area partnerships.
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner/websites/developing_a_website.cfm 

New national project
The Aimhigher National Rolling Programme has awarded £249,000 to ASDAN, an educational charity which promotes the personal and social development of learners through its award scheme. 
 
The project aims to raise achievement and potential progression and entry to HE by helping to develop more independent and autonomous learners in schools using the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (COPE). It will do this by providing curriculum delivery support for staff and learners in association with HE admissions officers and HE students. Click on the link below to find out more about the national projects.
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner/resource_material/about_aimhigher/national_projects.cfm 

Student finance - advertising campaign underway
The second phase of the national advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of changes to student finance arrangements launched on 28 February. Click on the link below for more details and to view examples of the adverts.
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner/resource_material/national_campaigns/student_finance/advertising.cfm 

National publicity for Aimhigher
The need for a concentrated national publicity campaign to convey key Aimhigher messages to target audiences nationwide and promote successful Aimhigher activities has been raised by a number of practitioners in the last month. In response, the funders are planning to work with practitioners to develop a national communications plan that will complement existing activity in the regions and areas. If you would like to be involved, please email aimhigher@harrisoncowley.com.

Access agreements to be announced
The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) will announce its decisions on access agreements on 17 March - setting out how all publicly funded providers of higher education in England who decide to charge tuition fees above the standard level will safeguard and promote fair access. The announcement will focus attention on widening participation and offers an excellent opportunity for practitioners to shout about their own WP activities. Visit the practitioner website next week to view the national press announcement and find guidance on how to generate publicity in your own area.

Communications resources
The NCRT have begun developing a set of communications resources for practitioners, including template press releases, advice on event management and top tips on talking to the media. This will be available soon on the practitioner website.
 
In addition, the NCRT are planning to hold training events to support Aimhigher practitioners in their communications activities. We have already received requests from a number of practitioners for training on targeting hard-to-reach audiences and handling the media. If you have any suggestions for other types of communications training that might be useful, please contact the NCRT on 0117 929 7096 or email aimhigher@harrisoncowley.com.

Aimhigher monitoring reports
To ensure partnerships have sufficient time to complete their monitoring returns, HEFCE has agreed to extend the deadline for partnerships to return their monitoring reports to 30 September 2005. Click on the link below for more details.
http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner/resource_material/monitoring___evaluation/monitoring.cfm