CAVA News

Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA) has announced the winners and runners-up of the 2024-25 CAVA Awards, recognising exceptional learners and educators across Access to Higher Education. These annual awards celebrate academic excellence, resilience, and inspirational teaching across CAVA’s network of Access to HE Diplomas. Winners of the student categories Outstanding Academic Achievement and Outstanding Commitment to Study, will be nominated for the national Keith Fletcher Memorial Prize, a prestigious award honouring the legacy of Keith Fletcher, a champion of widening participation across the South West. CAVA received an extraordinary number of powerful nominations this year. “The stories shared with us were inspiring, moving, and a testament to the life-changing impact of Access to HE,” CEO, Emily Ross said. “Choosing a winner and runner-up was exceptionally difficult.” Outstanding Academic Achievement Winner: David Langley (Nottingham College) After 20 years away from educat...

The Department for Education’s Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper sets out an ambitious programme to reshape England’s skills system. It places employers at the heart of planning, strengthens regional responsiveness, and expands opportunities for adults to study flexibly throughout their lives. For the many adults who begin their higher education journey through the Access to HE Diploma, this reform agenda is significant. It opens new pathways, particularly through modular learning, while placing greater expectations on providers to demonstrate how their provision contributes to local and national workforce needs. A Changing Skills Landscape The White Paper, alongside the updated Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) Guidance published in November 2025, sets a direction of travel that will shape the environment in which Access to HE operates. Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), developed by Employer Representative Bodies and Strategic Authorities, will increasingly determine ...

As Get The Nation Learning Week draws to a close, this week reminded us just how transformative education can be - for individuals, communities, and society.  CAVA is proud to be part of around 100 organisations supporting the Get The Nation Learning campaign, led by the Learning and Work Institute. This brilliant campaign is built on one simple idea: when adults learn, everyone benefits – individuals, communities, and the whole economy. This growing movement includes organisations including Channel 4, the National Housing Federation, and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. Access to HE Diplomas help adults take their next step into higher education, opening doors to new opportunities and careers. But we also know that opening that door can be incredibly challenging. Many adult learners face real barriers, financial pressures, family commitments, self-doubt, and simply finding the time. That’s why our providers play such a vital role. They meet learners and offer enco...

Every year, adults across the UK begin transformative journeys, returning to education, building confidence, and stepping into new careers. For many, the Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is the route that makes this possible: a nationally recognised one-year qualification designed to help adults progress to university, no matter their background. Yet thousands of potential learners - and even some educators -still don’t know this route exists. That’s why the Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA) has launched Pass the Mark, a new initiative designed to spread the word and spark new opportunities. At the centre of the campaign is a simple object with a powerful purpose: a bookmark. Each bookmark features a QR code that links to clear, accessible information about Access to HE, how it works, and how to get started. People are encouraged to pass it on - to colleagues, students, friends, family members, or anyone who might benefit. “Access to HE made me feel like I was not only c...

We’re delighted to launch the CAVA Awards 2025, our annual celebration of the dedication, ambition, and achievements of Access to HE students and tutors. Recognising Student Excellence This year, tutors are invited to nominate students in the following two categories: Outstanding Academic Achievement Outstanding Commitment to Study These awards recognise students who have gone above and beyond-whether through academic excellence, determination, or personal growth during their Access to HE Diploma journey. Students are eligible for nomination if they are enrolled on an Access to HE course at the time of submission. Nominations must be submitted via the online nomination form by Monday 6 October 2025. To support tutors, we’ve also created a guidance document with helpful tips for completing the form.  Please note: You’ll need to obtain the student’s permission before submitting any personal details to CAVA, and students must also complete a separate consent form confirming they’re ha...

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has been named as one of the UK government’s ‘five technologies of tomorrow’ (Science and Technology Framework 2023, Department for Education) and it is already delivering wide societal benefits, across healthcare, climate science, and logistics. Within education, AI is transforming how educators and students interact with learning, presenting unique opportunities and challenges. This article explores AI’s role in Further Education (FE), particularly within Access to Higher Education Diplomas, and how institutions can shape AI integration responsibility and effectively. AI and the Access to HE Diploma Access to Higher Education Diplomas play a critical role in providing pathways for adults to enter higher education. With over 40,000 students historically enrolling annually nationwide, the demographic is diverse, including significant numbers from disadvantaged backgrounds, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities or learning difficulties...

City College Plymouth has been recognised for going above and beyond in supporting students on the Access to HE Diploma, ensuring that every student, regardless of personal circumstances, can thrive. Our Communication and Events Officer, Georgia Green, spoke with Gemma Hutchings, Course Leader, to discuss how the college has implemented creative solutions to ensure all students succeed. Tailored Learning Support for Students with SEND and EHCPs With a growing number of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), City College Plymouth has introduced tailored support systems from the very start of each academic year. “We work really closely with our dedicated learning support assistant for Access,” Gemma shared. This involves early meetings with students, parents, and guardians to ensure a smooth start and a clear understanding of each learner’s needs. One standout example is the bespoke programme the college developed for...