Innovative Practice Developing social integration to enhance student retention and success in higher education: the GROW@BU initiative.

Abstract

Widening participation and ensuring fair access to universities for ‘non-traditional’ students is a major concern of higher education in England. Outcomes are evaluated in terms of increased recruitment of non-traditional students and also increased retention of these students. Retention initiatives have gradually become more nuanced; there has been a shift from models of support for students towards ones of engagement with students. This has involved a change in focus from instrumental support such as study skills to address deficits in academic performance to more holistic approaches aimed at enhancing student integration within the university community. This paper describes a retention programme that aims to help students integrate socially with other students and staff. By supporting students’ growth of identity and social belonging, it aims to increase engagement with their academic work. Students whose profiles pose greater risk of leaving early, such as mature students and those living at home while studying locally, were investigated in the evaluation and appeared to benefit