GuildHE welcomes Government focus on university teaching and social mobility 

GuildHE welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate excellent university teaching and the government’s support for higher education institutions as engines of social mobility.

Commenting on the Government’s Green Paper, ‘Fulfilling our Potential: Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice’, Professor Joy Carter, Vice Chancellor, University of Winchester and Chair, GuildHE said:

“It is important to the UK’s future success that more people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have the opportunity to benefit from the many advantages of going to university.

“We welcome the increased focus on widening participation, including the proposed Social Mobility Advisory Group, to meet the Prime Minister’s targets to widen access for disadvantaged groups. We look forward to working with government to ensure this important work is sufficiently supported and funded.”

Commenting on plans for the Teaching Excellence Framework, Gordon McKenzie, CEO, GuildHE said:

“The TEF presents the chance to showcase excellent university teaching and drive up quality where it is needed, but let’s not get it wrong by trying to rush in the first year. We welcome the Minister’s measured approach allowing the TEF to develop and evolve over time and the further consultation on technical details.”

He added:

“GuildHE also welcomes the opening up of the higher education sector to more high quality private providers, particularly where that increases student choice and healthy competition. The Green Paper highlights some of the challenges needing further consideration and the consultation will allow this so we have the right safeguards for students in place, particularly in the event of market exit.

“Student interests must be protected. As higher education is increasingly funded directly by students through loans – it is right that they are put at the heart of the regulatory system and the proposed Office for Students will place student views first.”