Welcome

Professor Andrea Dlaska,
Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
Learning and Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

We are going into the second year of our University-wide Personal Tutoring Scheme. Thank you all for supporting the scheme and making it a success. Thank you also for your help in reviewing Phase 1 throughout 2017/18. All recommendations from the review have been approved by the Learning and Teaching Committee and will be implemented in 2018/19, with further information, guidance and training available ahead of the start of the new academic year.

We have changed the name of the scheme from ‘Academic Advice’ to ‘Personal Tutoring’ to highlight the pastoral support element of the scheme. It is the mix of academic advice and a sense of belonging in an academic community of staff and peers that our students have told us they value most during their time at university. This reflects what sector research has shown to increase engagement and retention. The academic community is best placed to be the first port of call for students to discuss academic progress, personal development and plans for the future. However, as you will be aware from supporting students in your various roles, a key question for colleagues is when and to whom to refer students whose queries and concerns fall outside the support a department is able to provide. The ‘When to Refer’ Guide gives an overview of the specialist University-wide services available to our students and helps you direct students to the advice and support they need. Our specialist services play a key role in enabling students to access and continue on their programmes and make the best of their learning experience.

Using common student enquiries, this guide describes the range of support services offered, outlining some of the key signs, cues and behaviours to look out for to help you identify a student who may need additional support, and providing practical guidance on action you may need to take. Many colleagues have commented on how useful and accessible they have found the guide. I would like to thank Julie Crabb and her teams for maintaining and continually enhancing this excellent resource.

My thanks go to all of you for shaping and enhancing personal tutoring and for supporting our students in succeeding on their programmes and getting ready for the challenges beyond graduation.

With best wishes for the new academic year,

Andrea