We recently caught up with Zoë Chapman, author of the upcoming Access to HE Student Handbook, set to release in October 2024. Zoë’s dedication to Access to Higher Education (HE) is clear through following her fascinating career journey.
Zoë’s journey began as an Access to HE Diploma student in Medical Science, which led to a Biochemistry degree at the University of Liverpool. After a tutor suggested she’d make a great teacher, she returned to her college to teach Access to HE Diploma students. Her passion for the field only grew, eventually leading her to run her own Access to HE provision and now write the first-ever handbook for Access to HE students. “If you cut me open, I’d bleed Access!” she joked.
The Access to HE Student Handbook is part journal, part textbook, offering comprehensive support to Access learners. It covers everything from assessment strategies and academic skills to preparing for university, with a focus on addressing the unique needs of adult learners—something Zoë felt was missing in other resources.
The idea for the book came from Zoë’s experience as a lecturer, often answering the same student questions—about distinctions, ungraded units, or how to structure academic work. She realised there was no single resource to guide students through the entire process, so she decided to write it herself. With support from Sage Publications and valuable input from multiple AVAs, including CAVA, the book took shape.
While the book isn’t an official QAA publication, Zoë received strong support from them. Rob Stroud from the QAA even wrote the foreword, and Zoë was thrilled to be granted permission to use the Access to HE logo on the cover, lending the book extra credibility.
Writing wasn’t without its challenges. Midway through the project, the grading system for Access to HE changed, requiring Zoë to rewrite large sections. Though it was a challenge, she found it rewarding as it deepened her understanding of the new standards.
The hardest part? “Just getting started!” she admits. With 80,000 words ahead of her, it felt like a mountain to climb. But once she found her rhythm, writing became a natural extension of her teaching. She also had to overcome some imposter syndrome about her more informal tone, but feedback from her publisher reassured her that her accessible style was exactly what the book needed.
What’s next for Zoë? She’ll continue to take on more Access-related consultancy in the future and she’s excited to see what opportunities come her way.
The Access to Higher Education Student Handbook is available for pre-order now on the Sage website. For those working in Access to HE, you can request a free inspection copy. Use code CHAPMAN30 for 30% off your order. The book will also be available through major retailers like Amazon and Waterstones, with a tentative release date of late October. Pre-orders are live, so be sure to check it out.