‘The aim of the research is to examine what factors need to be addressed, and how they need to be addressed, in developing an “HE culture” in FE through an action research approach with 14 HE programmes in one case study FE college.  In doing so it raises questions about the meaning of an “HE culture” in a non-HE setting’ (Simmons, 2003).  The paper examines the culture of HEIs, how this differs from FECs, and considers HE ideologies within FE.  The action research focuses on at a case study of several programmes at a medium sized FEC which offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses.

Open full report