Going for Gold 

Students The Associate Faculty

University of Wales Trinity Saint David Carmarthen developed the concept of an Associate Faculty, working in partnership with over 30 secondary schools across West and South Wales, during the Autumn Term 2008.

Following detailed discussions with the University of Wales Lampeter, a new university was established in 2010 now called the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Our newly established University is fully committed to the vision and work of the Associate Faculty and will continue to pursue its goals in this key area of development.

‘Widening access’ is a central theme in the life and work of our new University and builds on the work both former institutions have undertaken for many years of working in partnership with secondary schools in South and West Wales to develop compact arrangements which support the progression from secondary school to higher education.

With the establishment of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in South West Wales, we have a fresh opportunity to establish specific learning networks in connection with schools and colleges in Wales. An early aim for the University is to establish:

  • Students a regional learning network for South West Wales;

  • a Welsh medium learning network in connection with Welsh and bilingual schools in West and South Wales.

The University actively seeks to encompass these exciting developments within the Associate Faculty framework which would be a means of bridging between school and university activity. This structure allows pupils who have enrolled on AS / A Level courses in schools to register also as Associate Students within the University. Several proposals within the Promise and Performance report published following an independent review of the mission and purpose of further education in Wales under the guidance of Sir Adrian Webb (December 2007) emphasise how 16-18 year old pupils can greatly benefit from studying at university level before they leave secondary school. Likewise, the Transforming the Education and Training Provision in Wales document, published by the Welsh Assembly Government in September 2008, underlines the importance of establishing regional learning networks, with universities, colleges of further education and schools collaborating closely to enhance pupils’ learning experiences.

The Associate Faculty is currently developing a successful network of partnership arrangements with secondary schools throughout the region. It is the University’s intention to roll out the programme to all Further Education Colleges across South West Wales during 2011/12.