Authorship Details
Publication Details
Resource Type:
Article Summary
This practice report presents a university-wide strategic approach to enhancing the first year
student experience and to improving transition, progression and retention, called
Moving Forward. Glasgow Caledonian University is a so-called post-1992 university with a
high percentage of students from non-traditional, low-participation backgrounds, often
coming into university as direct entrants onto levels two and three (of a four-level Scottish
undergraduate degree). Its aim is to support a transformational approach to widening
participation and the development of a transition pedagogy. Partnership working stands at
its centre and underpins all activities from developing a Transition and Progression
Framework, establishing a large Community of Practice and six Mini Communities of
Practice, to negotiating formal partnership agreements with academic schools, Learner
Support and the Students’ Association. The report charts the reasons for introducing Moving
Forward, its development, activities, interim evaluation outcomes, achievements, as well as
the challenges of sustaining such an initiative long term