1. Staffing News

• Marcia Ody – National Teaching Fellowship award

We were pleased to announce last month that Marcia Ody, a Teaching and Learning Manager in Teaching and Learning Support, was successful in her bid to become a National Teaching Fellow. This highly prestigious and competitive national award is made by the Higher Education Academy annually and is based on a significant and sustained commitment to teaching and student learning.

"This prestigious award is a fantastic achievement by Marcia and well-deserved. NTF awards are not often given to professional support staff which makes her award extra special. Louise Walmsley, Director of Teaching and Learning Support

Many of you will know Marcia for her work leading peer support and establishing a range of student engagement practices at the University. It is for her peer support work in particular that she won the University’s nomination for this award as she is regarded as a national and international leader in this aspect of the student experience.

Her colleagues in Teaching and Learning Support are all very proud!

If you’d like to know more about the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme then please visit the Higher Education Academy website.

If you’d like to know more about Marcia’s work and peer support in general then please contact Marcia (Marcia.ody@manchester.ac.uk).

• Summer Student Experience Interns

We recently welcomed three Student Experience Interns to the TLSO: Iona McKenzie, Grace McAleer Ryder and Emily Barrett. Iona and Grace will be working on the further development of the Student Charter and also digital content activity for the My Manchester Improvement project; Emily will be working on the ongoing review of our teaching and learning policies, procedures and guidance and will contribute to the development of a ‘regulations microsite’ for My Manchester.

2. Teaching Excellence Awards

This year’s Teaching Excellence Awards presentation took place on 26th May, hosted by Professor Clive Agnew. Six winners were selected by the panel to receive one of the awards, which recognise colleagues who have demonstrated a significant and sustained commitment to excellence in teaching, excellence in supporting teaching.

Details and photos of the award winners (including Will Carey from the TLSO) can be found at:

• Teaching Excellence Award Winners 2014/15
  
  

3. Periodic and Institutional Reviews

This month's updated review schedule for internal programmes and collaborative provision for the next six years is available below:

• Periodic and institutional review schedule

4. TLSO Website / Policy & procedure changes and information

• New Policy on Advising 

The Policy on Advising and associated Guidance on Advising were approved by Senate at its meeting in April 2015 and the documents have been circulated to Heads of School/Heads of School Administration and Associate Deans for implementation within Schools from September 2015. An Advising Toolkit has been produced as a signposting tool to assist Advisors in their role. A training/briefing event is due to be held during the summer for Senior Advisors (or equivalent) regarding the new Policy.

The Policy, Guidance and Toolkit can be found on the TLSO website at:

• Academic Advising
  
  

• Revised Guidance on Examination Board Procedures

The Guidance underwent review and revision following recommendations from the Examination Board Procedures and Practice Group, which met in 2013/14 and to match up to revisions in the Guidance on External Examiner Procedures. The resulting updated Guidance on Examination Boards was subsequently sent out for consultation within Faculties and a final version considered and approved by TLMG and TLG. The revised Guidance is for implementation from September 2015, for Semester One Examination Boards onwards. Details are available on the website at:

• Guidance on Examination Boards
  
  
  
• New Policy on Inclusive Teaching and Learning Material

This new policy was produced in order to standardise practice across the University in terms of the anticipation, identification and promotion of good practice in the preparation and presentation of teaching materials for the general benefit of all students, but particularly for the support of disabled students by mainstreaming a small number of adjustments. The policy was approved by Senate at its meeting in June and is for implementation from September 2015.

The implementation of the policy is expected to take time. It is not, for example, anticipated that adoption of the policy will mean that all teaching and learning materials will be required to adhere to all of the policy guidance by September 2015. Rather, the adoption of the policy should signal that new materials will be produced to adhere to the principles and guidelines outlined here. Existing materials should be adapted in due course.

The policy is available on the TLSO website and the page also includes a link to a generic template for teaching and learning presentations:

• Inclusive Teaching and Learning Materials
  
  
  
• Amendments to the Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment

The Policy on Submission of Work for Summative Assessment forms part of the University’s Assessment Framework. It is an existing policy that has been revised to further recognise the range of assessment methods available within the University. This policy reflects our continued commitment to utilising technology, particularly online submission and plagiarism detection software, where appropriate. The review of this policy was prompted by a University wide review of ‘hidden costs’ to students including the costs of printing and submitting assessments in hardcopy. In addition, this policy responds to Faculty and School demands for a consistent approach to applying penalties for the late submission of work.

The revisions to the Policy were subject to consultation across teaching and learning networks and the final version was approved by Senate at its June meeting, with implementation from September 2015.

The updated policy is available on the TLSO website at:

• Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment
  
  

• Amendments to Regulation XVIII (Student Complaints Procedure) and Regulation XIX (Academic Appeals Procedure)

Following the December 2014 publication of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator’s (OIA’s) Good Practice Framework for the handling of complaints and academic appeals (“Framework”), the TLSO has been working with colleagues across the University to review Regulations XVIII and XIX. Compliance with the Framework is expected from 2015/16 onwards. Generally the June 2012 Regulations aligned well with the principles of the Framework but some amendments were proposed to reflect a closer adherence to the Framework.

The amendments that were proposed were agreed by the Manchester Doctoral College in May 2015, and then by the Teaching and Learning Group and Senate during June 2015. The new versions of Regulation XVIII and XIX will come into effect for students from September 2015 onwards and the key changes are noted below. The TLSO will be looking to update its website, the Appeals and Complaints Forms, the Regulations flowcharts and any further guidance for September 2015.

Regulation XVIII key changes

• Clarified use of Regulation for students registered at partner organisations (paragraph 3).
• Expansion of the University’s position on vexatious complaints (paragraph 9).
• Change to the definition of a complaint (paragraph 13).
• Extension of informal complaint stage from 15 to 20 working days for a response to the student (paragraph 17).
• Inclusion of more detail on the evidence expected with complaints (paragraph 18(a)).
• Reference to student needing to make a formal complaint after 40 working days, except if a credible and compelling reason is presented for the delay (paragraph 20).
• Extension of Faculty complaint investigation timeframe from 20 to 30 working days (paragraph 21).
• Extension of Faculty’s power to specify action to resolve a complaint (paragraph 21(a)).
• Expansion of remit of the review to consider new material presented by a student if they have credible and compelling reasons for its late disclosure (paragraph 24).

Regulation XIX key changes

• Clarified use of Regulation for students registered at partner organisations (note iii).
• Extension of types of appeal to include a decision to not allow an interruption (paragraph 1 (g)).
• Requirement that student present a credible and compelling reason for the non-disclosure of circumstances affecting their performance (paragraph 2 (a)).
• Inclusion of a note to reinforce that students need to raise supervisory concerns when they arise (paragraph 2 (d [Note])).
• Inclusion of more detail on the evidence expected with appeals (paragraph 4).
• A Completion of Procedures letter should be produced by the Faculty if a student’s appeal is submitted out of time (paragraph 5).
• That a student has 5 working days to provide comments on a School’s response to an appeal (paragraph 6).
• Extension of Faculty’s timeframe for investigating an appeal from 20 to 30 working days (paragraph 8).
• Expansion of Faculty’s powers to make recommendations that do not relate to matters of academic judgement (paragraph 9).
• Decrease of the time for student’s to request a review of a Faculty’s decision from 20 to 10 working days (paragraph 10).
• Expansion of remit of the review to consider new material presented by a student if they have credible and compelling reasons for its late disclosure (paragraph 10).

Changes to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) Complaint Scheme Rules

The OIA act as the higher education ombudsmen to whom student can complain to after exhausting a University’s internal procedures in relation to academic appeals, complaints, discipline and fitness to practice. Over a short time period during May-June 2015, the OIA consulted on changes to its complaint scheme rules; the University participated in this consultation.

• Consultation information

The new rules came into effect on 9th July 2015 and of note students will now have 12 months (an increase from 3 months) over which to submit a complaint to the OIA after receiving a Completion of Procedures letter from the University. The TLSO is in the process of considering this further but colleagues should be mindful about the retention of student records and for the potential for complaints to be upheld in the future and the impact that this may have on any changes to programmes of study.

• OIA Complaint Scheme Rules

The updated Regulations will be available on the TLSO website for September (see links below), but if staff members require PDF versions of the revised documents prior to then, please email: m.graham@manchester.ac.uk:

• Student Complaints Procedure
• Academic Appeals Procedure
  
  

• Revisions to the Policy on Mitigating Circumstances and Mitigating Circumstances Panel Terms of Reference

Following feedback from colleagues within the University since the implementation of the revised Policy on Mitigating Circumstances and its supporting documentation, in June 2015 the Teaching and Learning Group were presented with some minor amendments to the Policy and the Mitigating Circumstances Panel Terms of Reference. The changes will take effect from September 2015.

Policy changes

• Updates to cross-referencing at various sections of the Policy.
• Confirmation that the Policy relates to PGR students undertaking taught components of study (paragraph 4).
• Highlighting the differences in the submission processes for the Notification of Mitigating Circumstances Form (paragraph 15)

Terms of Reference changes

• Confirmation that sub-panels can be used for summative assessments but with a limited remit in the recommendations it can make (page 1, Role, paragraph 4).
• Expansion of the evidence that panels should expect from students (page 5, paragraph 10).
• Minor variations to the recommendation codes (Applying Mitigating).
• Insertion of a new paragraph 16 (page 7) based upon guidance from the Disability Support Office.

The updated versions will be added to the Mitigating Circumstances webpage for September:

• Policy on Mitigating Circumstances

5. Unit Surveys

Schools are reminded that from the 2015-16 Academic Year, TLSO will only be supporting the online Unit Survey system.  If your School has any questions about making the transition to the online Unit Surveys or any specific survey requirements, please contact unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk and we would be more than happy to meet with you to discuss how we can best support your surveys.  

6. The Peer Support Programme

• PASS training

PASS training has been a huge success over the summer, culminating in 521 PASS Leaders being fully trained before September. This is a massive achievement which could only have been done with the support of staff from across the TLSO and wider DSE; at this point last year only 176 Leaders were fully trained!

This year the Peer Support team redesigned the existing training in consultation with both Staff, Student Coordinators and Leaders, in order to condense training into a full day, lasting from 9.30am-4.30pm in comparison to the previous year’s approach of 3 separate sessions lasting 3 hours each. The new full day session is split into three areas: Understanding the concept of PASS, delivering PASS and developing the product of PASS.

In the first section of training, PASS Leaders discussed how to promote PASS and crafted and delivered their speeches for their first session. After which, the Leaders explored the key skills and theoretical concepts essential to the successful delivery of a PASS session. These included Bloom’s Taxonomy, learning styles and facilitation techniques and creativity. In the final section, the Leaders produced strategies to create a legacy for their scheme.

The feedback so far has been excellent and we will be looking to evaluate the training for our Leaders during 2015/16 in order to refine it and make it even better for the future!

Thank you to all the TLSO staff who contributed to developing and leading the training sessions with us!

7. Information from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)

• Consultation on three Subject Benchmark Statements

The QAA is inviting comments on updated and revised versions of three Subject Benchmark Statements in: Biomedical Sciences, Bioscience, and Computing. They welcome contributions to this consultation from anyone with an interest in any or all of the areas covered, including: staff with responsibilities for any or all of the qualifications described; students, student representatives and staff from student representative bodies; sector and representative bodies; professional, statutory or regulatory bodies; and employer groups. The consultation is open until 21 August 2015.

Details are on the QAA website at:

• Consultation on three Subject Benchmark Statements

1.    Staffing News

Kim Comer, Teaching and Learning Adviser (Process Improvement), left the TLSO on 1st May to take up a role in IT Services. We would like to thank her for all her hard work and dedication to the office over a number of years, and to wish her well in her new role.

Congratulations to Anest Williams, one of our Sabbatical Interns for the Faculty of Humanities, who has been appointed as Residential Life Coordinator at MMU. We will be sorry to see her go and wish her all the best in her new position.

We also extend our congratulations to Will Carey, Teaching and Learning Manager, who has been awarded one of six of this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards.  This is a prestigious University award and Will is the only PSS award winner this year.  His award will be given at a ceremony on 26th May.

2.    Periodic and Institutional Reviews

This month's updated review schedule for internal programmes and collaborative provision for the next six years is available below:

• Periodic and institutional review schedule
  
  

3.    TLSO Website / Policy & procedure changes and information

• Programme Amendment and Programme Withdrawal forms

Following on from the note in last month’s Bulletin regarding a new question in the Programme Amendment form, further minor amendments have been made to this form, and to the Programme Withdrawal form. In response to feedback and following discussion at Senate in February and TLG in March, additional wording has been added to both forms regarding consulting with existing students and staff on the proposed amendment or withdrawal of current programmes, as well as any strategic issues arising from the amendment or withdrawal which need to be brought to the attention of the Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Students):
“Does the amendment/withdrawal affect existing students?…What discussions have taken place within the School with staff and students?

Please describe how you have consulted with current students/staff.

Are there any strategic issues arising from this amendment/withdrawal that should be brought to the attention of the Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Students) e.g. cessation of an area of study or possible adverse reputational impacts for the University? If yes, provide details.”

The programme amendment form can be found at:

• Programme amendment form

The programme withdrawal form can be found at:

• Programme withdrawal form
  
  

• Policy on the Recording of Lectures and other Teaching and Learning Activities

The Policy has had one slight update: paragraph 3.7 has had the addition of the words “at least” so it now reads:

“Recordings will normally be kept by the University for at least two years from the date of recording.”

The Policy can be found at:

• Policy on the Recording of Lectures and other Teaching and Learning Activities

• Principles and Procedures for Student Placements on Taught Programmes

This document has been updated slightly to provide up to date links to external webpages and to make the following amendments:

• to remove the reference to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office LOCATE service, which has now been discontinued;

• to remove the reference to the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISCA) risk assessment information

• and to remove the reference to the NAFSA Association of International Educators: Health and Safety Guidelines for Study Abroad, as both these final two sets of information now require log in and password access.

The updated document can be found at:

• Principles and Procedures for Student Placements on Taught Programmes
  
  

• Guidance on the use of calculators in examinations

The Guidance has recently been updated by Student Admissions and Administration Division to clarify the types of calculators and mobile devices which can and can’t be taken into examinations. The Guidance can be found at:

• Guidance on the use of calculators in examinations
  
  

• Guidance on the Retention of Teaching and Learning Material

The original ‘Guidance on retaining student work’ has been updated to form a new set of ‘Guidance on the retention of teaching and learning material’. The revised guidance sets out the TLSO’s expected retention schedule for teaching and learning materials in the institution.  The document incorporates relevant entries from the University Retention Schedule in order to provide a comprehensive teaching and learning resource.  If a type of document is not included in the updated Guidance, it should be retained as per the University Retention Schedule, which the Guidance complements.  The document reflects the move, both institutionally and across the sector, to a six-yearly schedule for review engagements. The updated Guidance can be found at:

• Guidance on the retention of teaching and learning material

4.    Appeals, complaints, conduct and discipline

• OIA Good Practice Framework

The TLSO act as the University point of contact to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) which students can complain to after completing the internal procedures of the University. 
In December 2014, the OIA published its HEI Good Practice Framework relating to the handling of academic appeals and complaints.  In order to implement any changes to the Regulations for the next academic year, the review and approval timeframe has been tight.  Following an initial analysis of the Framework in February 2015, the TLSO has since been working with colleagues from the Appeals, Complaints, Conduct and Discipline (ACCD) Network and Graduate Administrators Group (GAG) to review the University’s Regulation XVIII (Student Complaints Procedure) and Regulation XIX (Academic Appeals Procedure) in order to bring them in line with the Framework.   

Colleagues from the ACCD Network and GAG are currently working on providing feedback on draft amendments to the Regulations; currently no significant process changes are envisaged.  The TLSO will update University colleagues as to any Regulation amendments following Senate approval.

• Complaints to the OIA

The OIA has recently contacted the University and other HEIs to consult on changes to the rules of its complaints scheme.
The substantive amendments to the scheme rules have been summarised as:

• “Amending the definition of HEIs to include new members – the term “Member HE Provider” will be used to refer to all members

• Bringing eligibility criteria into line with requirements of the EU ADR Directive

• Extending the time limit for bringing a complaint from three months to 12 months. This is because the regulations which implement the ADR Directive state that the minimum time frame must be one year from the date upon which the body complained about has given notice that the complaint cannot be resolved

• Revising the review process to reflect the requirements of the EU ADR Directive and changes to be implemented following our internal process review. This includes a change to process followed once a Complaint Outcome has been issued.”

To inform an institutional response to the consultation, the TLSO is currently seeking comments from colleagues from the ACCD Network (and invites other colleagues from the University to input also) under the following headings:
1.    Changes required by EU Directive and Regulations on Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (section 1 of the attached document).
a.    In particular I would draw your attention to sections 1.2 and 1.3.
2.    Changes in the Higher Education sector (section 2 of the attached document).
3.    Changes to improve the efficiency of the OIA complaints scheme (section 3 of the attached document).
a.    In particular I would draw your attention to section 3.2.
4.    Any other general comments about the rules of the OIA complaints scheme.

Matt Valentine (Teaching and Learning Adviser [Appeals and Complaints]) (Matthew.Valentine@manchester.ac.uk), is happy to receive any feedback on this consultation by 21st May 2015 at the latest, to allow for the final institutional response to be composed and submitted by the OIA’s deadline of 31st May 2015.
 

5.    Unit Surveys

After a fantastic effort by all those involved in the process, we are pleased to report that Unit Surveys have had another incredibly successful Semester.

The online survey response rate has risen from 29.36% (Semester 2 13/14) to 32.11% (Semester 2 14/15), with a number of units still being surveyed. Paper surveys are currently being scanned and processed.

Schools are reminded that from the 2015-16 Academic Year, TLSO will only be supporting the online Unit Survey system.  If your School has any questions about making the transition to the online Unit Surveys, please contact unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk.

We are also particularly keen to hear from colleagues who have had high response rates to Unit Surveys, as we want to identify areas of good practice and promote these activities across the University.  Again, please get in touch to share your ideas or strategies for promoting the Unit Surveys (unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk).

6.    The Peer Support Programme

• Celebration Evening report

The Annual Peer Support Celebration Evening took place on 30th April 2015 and was once again a huge success. The Palace Hotel was full to the brim of our brilliant Peer Mentors, PASS Leaders, Student and Staff Coordinators, as well as other University Staff members who came to support the event. Around 400 people attended, and represented 47 Peer Support Schemes from every Faculty to celebrate the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of all who volunteer with us at the University.

The event began with a talk from Clive Agnew (Vice President Teaching Learning and Students) emphasising the Institutional Value of Peer Support, and talking through the impact that both PASS and Peer Mentoring have on our Undergraduates and their student experience. We were also delighted to have a talk from Mumtaz Bashir (Managing Director of Women International, Collaborate Colt, Member of the University of Manchester Assembly) on The Impact and Value of your Role in Peer Support, who is a great advocate of how much of a difference and how inspirational those who volunteer can be.

Whilst all students who are involved in Peer Support receive recognition for their work by certificate and an addition to their HEAR, many go above and beyond their role and make huge contributions to their Scheme. This year 34 Outstanding Contribution to Peer Support Awards were presented. They were to reward those who have shown tremendous collaboration, innovation, leadership and dedication in their role.

Scheme of the Year Awards were presented to Speech and Language Therapy PASS and BA Economics Peer Mentoring as their work this year has been exceptional and made them stand out above other Schemes. The annual video competition ran again this year as a place for Schemes to demonstrate their creativity and engagement, and the winner was Aerospace Engineering. You can view their entry here.

The event also saw the launch of Peer Supports re-brand, where posters, banners and booklets advertised our four key values: inspiring others, understanding your experience, building community and learning to learn. It was great to celebrate this with a number of Student Comms staff who have made a huge contribution to this great project.
Andrew Bargery from PricewaterhouseCoopers congratulated those who completed their Personal Development and Effectiveness Training Course this year, and a short video was shown about the how it has benefitted the attendees.

The introduction of a student-led Peer Support Socials Committee meant that the traditional Ceilidh was replaced with an After Party at a separate venue, and was a great way for students to unwind and celebrate their successes further.

7.    Information from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)

• Consultation on three revised Subject Benchmark Statements

The QAA is inviting comments on the revised versions of the Subject Benchmark Statements for three subjects (Languages, Linguistics, and Law) to ensure that the documents continue to hold value for all who use them. They welcome contributions to this consultation from anyone with an interest in any or all of the areas covered, including: staff and students within higher education or from those who have recently left; employers; professional, statutory or regulatory bodies; and any subject networks or organisations. The consultation is open until 31 May 2015. The information is available on the QAA website at:

• Consultation on three revised Subject Benchmark Statements

1.    Staffing News

We are pleased to welcome Elena Vergara to TLSO. Elena will be the Project Support Intern and will be with us for a year.

2.    Periodic and Institutional Reviews

This month's updated review schedule for internal programmes and collaborative provision for the next six years is available below:

• Periodic and institutional review schedule

3.    TLSO Website / Policy & procedure changes and information

• Programme amendment form

An additional question has been added to the form regarding whether any strategic issues arising from the amendment/withdrawal that should be brought to the attention of the Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Students) e.g. cessation of an area of study or possible adverse reputational impacts for the University. The form can be found on the following webpage:

• Amendments to Taught Programmes
  
  

• Guidelines for Monitoring Student Attendance

Following the implementation of the Policy on Recording and Monitoring Attendance from September 2014 (found on the Recording and Monitoring Attendance webpage), the Task and Finish Group supporting the implementation have been meeting to discuss progress and share practice in relation to the Policy. As part of the work of this group, an updated set of Guidelines for Monitoring Student Attendance have been produced which include setting out attendance expectations, monitoring students' engagement, recording and reporting, as well as example templates for Schools to use. The updated Guidelines can be found at:

• Guidelines for Monitoring Student Attendance

If you have any feedback about these Guidelines, or any suggestions for additions, including examples of good practice in attendance monitoring, please let Emma Hilton Wood know (email: emma.hilton-2@manchester.ac.uk). To submit examples of good practice in monitoring student attendance, please complete the following template and return it to Emma Hilton Wood:

• Template for examples of good practice in attendance monitoring
  
  

• New Academic Appeals, Complaints and Misconduct section of the website

The TLSO took over responsibility for the operation of the Academic Appeals and Student Complaints Procedures in July 2012, and also acts as the review (or appeal) contact for students in relation to complaints, appeals and matters of conduct and discipline, fitness to practise and dignity at work and study. The TLSO is also the institutional point of contact for the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. The TLSO website has now been expanded to incorporate information on these various functions and also includes guidance for staff on best practice in case handling, Senate Report data and example case studies from OIA complaints; feedback on the content is welcomed.  The website link is below:

• Academic Appeals, Complaints and Misconduct

4.    Current consultations

• Policy on Marking

The Policy on Marking forms part of the Assessment Framework. It is proposed that the Policy be revised following the recommendations of the ‘Practice’ Sub Group of the Review of Marking and Assessment Steering Group. The draft revised policy has been issued to Faculties for consultation via Faculty Teaching and Learning Committees, with responses requested to Emma Hilton Wood (emma.hilton-2@manchester.ac.uk) by 31st March 2015. The major changes to the policy are the inclusion of a definitions section (section 3) and clarity with regards minimum standards for internal moderation and a revised sample to be sent to External Examiners (Section 7).

• Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment

The revised Policy was out for consultation up to December 2014, following which, further amendments were made and a revised version was discussed at the February 2015 TLG meeting. The revised version has gone back out to Faculties for further consultation, with responses due to Emma Hilton Wood (emma.hilton-2@manchester.ac.uk) by 31st March 2015.

Documentation in relation to both policy consultations is available on the TLSO Consultations webpage:

• Consultations

5.    Unit Surveys

For the majority of Schools using the online Unit Surveys, they will open for students on Monday 20th April and run until Tuesday 12th May 2015.  The paper Unit Surveys are being distributed in pdf form for Schools to print and circulate to students during lectures over the same survey window.

As a result of the increased promotional efforts on the part of the Student Communications Team (DSE), staff in Schools and the TLSO, Unit Surveys have seen a significantly increased response rate since last year. Overall, the University Response Rate rose from 36.28% (Semester 1 13-14) to 40.44% (Semester 1 14-15). Online survey response rates have risen substantially from 27.73% (Semester 1 13-14) to 36.62% (Semester 1 14-15).

Schools are reminded that this is the final semester for the paper surveys.  From the 2015-16 Academic Year, TLSO will only be supporting the online Unit Survey system.  If your School has any questions about making the transition to the online Unit Surveys, please contact unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk.

We are also particularly keen to hear from colleagues who have had high response rates to Unit Surveys, as we want to identify areas of good practice and promote these activities across the University.  Again, please get in touch to share your ideas or strategies for promoting the Unit Surveys (unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk).

6.    The Peer Support Programme

• ‘20 years of Peer Support’

This year the theme of our Annual Celebration Evening will be ’20 years of Peer Support’. It is really exciting to know that formalised Peer Mentoring and Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) has grown tremendously and by September 2015 all first year undergraduate students will be allocated a higher year student to provide peer support. Our students really value our work and it is down to them and their stories that this growth has been achieved.  We are looking forward to the night and as always we are grateful that this is a TLSO event in which we all work together to say a huge thank you to our Peer Support Community.

Additionally there will be a focus of Peer Support at the PSS SE Leads conference on Wednesday 29th April. We are currently working with students involved to support them in delivering an interactive workshop which will demonstrate the value and impact of peer led activity. In true Peer Support style there won’t be any passengers, everyone at the conference will have an active experience which will hopefully motivate them to look at how they can use our networks to enhance their roles.

Whilst it is all go at the moment, we have been working closely with Student Communications to ensure that we package our existing brand in a consistent and comprehensive manner. Of particular note has been the need for us to have a recognisable and fresh visual identity and we are excited that both the PSS SE Leads conference and the Annual Celebration Awards will see the unveiling of our new visual identity.

This is an exciting and busy time as we work towards ensuring that the Peer Support programme is an integral and vital part of the student experience and embedded in institutional strategy. I am sure that you will want to join the celebrations so if you haven’t done already, please reserve Thursday 30 April, 18:00 at the Palace Hotel, and contact lisa.cullen@manchester.ac.uk to reserve your ticket, so we can celebrate this and take pride in what has been and look forward to what is to come!

Have a look at what happened last year (http://www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/students-as-partners/events/awards/).  If you are interested in attending or would like further information please email Justin Kennedy (Justin.kennedy@manchester.ac.uk).

7.   Promoting the best undergraduate research – international awards programme

The Undergraduate Awards is the world’s only pan-disciplinary academic awards programme and aims to identify and encourage the best undergraduate research around the world. Students are encouraged to submit their work online to be judged by an international panel.  The winners travel to Ireland for a 3 day funded Global Summit networking event (last year’s event video is available here) and published in the Awards’ academic journal.

Last year, students from The University of Manchester submitted over 50 applications, from the 100s submitted across the globe 6 student submissions were highly commended and 1 student received a prize as top in their field.  There are 25 categories and submission is done online, and therefore easy for students to complete.

Please do promote this opportunity to your students and help us achieve over 100 applications this year.  Final submissions must be made by May 29th.

The Awards expect a high volume of applications and so encourage students to register their interest in the first instance – this can be done here.

1. Staffing News

We were pleased to announce in December that Will Carey was appointed to the 0.5 role of Teaching and Learning Manager, to cover half of Patricia Clift-Martin’s role as Patricia was appointed to the position of Head of the MyManchester Plus Project.

2. Periodic and Institutional Reviews

This month's updated review schedule for internal programmes and collaborative provision for the next six years is available below:

• Periodic and institutional review schedule

3. TLSO Website / Policy & procedure changes and information

• Mitigating Circumstances Panels terms of reference

As mentioned in the previous Bulletin, a Terms of Reference document is now available in relation to Mitigating Circumstances Panels. Colleagues have submitted queries to the TLSO during the 2014/15 implementation of the Terms of Reference and the Policy on Mitigating Circumstances and may continue to do so. A list of FAQs has now been produced in response to the queries raised thus far and is available below (you will have to log in with your University of Manchester staff user name and password to access):

• FAQs/Feedback from information session

• Mitigating Circumstances information session – held on 19th January 2015

This session was well attended and a number of useful discussions took place. As stated above a FAQ document was produced based upon the discussions at the session and copies of the slides are also available below (again, you will have to log in to access this document):

• Presentation slides from the information session

Colleagues will be undertaking further analysis of the feedback in certain areas of the Policy to be able to provide more detailed responses to Schools in due course.

• Proofreading statement

A new University statement on the proofreading of student work is available at:

• University statement on proofreading

• New Programme Approval: amendment to the NPP1 form

A slight amendment has been made to the NPP1 form, with the addition of the International Placements Office to the ‘notify colleagues’ section of the form on page 6.

• NPP1 form

• New Programme Approval: Information Systems/eLearning Resources form

This form has had a minor new addition added to it: the wording ‘Programme start date’ has been added, to make clear the start date of the new programme.

• Programme Approval Information Systems/eLearning Resources form

4. Unit Surveys

We are pleased to report on another fantastic Semester for Unit Surveys, after a great effort from all involved. Online surveys have had a record Semester with an overall response rate of 37% across the 32 areas using online surveys, compared to 27% this time last year. We are also pleased to note that approximately 25% of all courses surveyed obtained a response rate of 50% or above, a 5% increase on this time last year.

With such an improved response rate, we are encouraging all colleagues involved in Unit Surveys to consider if they can enhance the way in which the results are fed back to other staff and students to encourage a continuation of this positive trend.

How do you use the results from Unit Surveys? How are students included in the feedback of results? We want to share your ideas, so please let us know: unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk
Complete results for Paper Unit Surveys are not yet available as a number of units are still being are still being scanned by the external company responsible for these surveys. If anyone would like to explore the use of the online Unit Survey System we are more than happy to answer any questions and work with you to establish how they could be adapted for your School.

TLSO is currently in the process of collating all the relevant information for Semester 2 surveys and colleagues are asked to ensure this is returned as promptly and accurately as possible. As always, any suggestions for increasing response rates, raising awareness of activity in the student or staff cohorts, are always welcome! Ideas and questions are gratefully received to: unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk.

5. The Peer Support Programme

• Peer Support Annual Celebration Awards

Each year the Peer Support programme hold an Annual Celebration Awards event in order to reward and recognise some of the outstanding contributions made by students and staff involved in Peer Support activity. The event is always a fantastic way of celebrating the impact that both PASS and Peer Mentoring has on the student community; it is safe to say that many of our new students have been able to manage the transitions into and within University life through the targeted support that higher level students provide in our schemes!

So, the date is set, Thursday 30 April, 18:00 at the Palace Hotel. It is always fantastic to see a number of colleagues from across the institution in attendance and the event is a great way to feel encouraged and inspired by what partnership can achieve!

Have a look at what happened last year (http://www.tlso.manchester.ac.uk/students-as-partners/events/awards/). If you are interested in attending or would like further information please email Justin Kennedy (Justin.kennedy@manchester.ac.uk).

• Recruitment for Peer Mentors and PASS Leaders

The task of ensuring the amazing work of our PASS Leaders and Peer Mentors (approximately 1600!) continues year on year is never ending and we’re pleased to say that the training and recruitment process has already started for September 2015. Peer Mentor training is due to commence very soon with sessions taking place over the next few weeks (day and evening sessions are available for students to identify the best time for them) and our ‘Intro to PASS’ workshops will start up soon to help students decide if they want to commit to the demanding but exceptionally rewarding role of being a PASS Leader.

We are also pleased to be running a ‘training the trainer’ session for Peer Mentoring. This activity, now in its 6th year, supports and prepares for a ‘co-trainer’ approach for each Peer Mentor training session by partnering Sabbatical Interns and Student Coordinators (experienced Mentors leading their discipline scheme) to facilitate the training. Feedback each year from those who attend note how valuable it is to have both roles sharing their experiences in training, in particular hearing from current students (Student Coordinators) about their mentoring experience.

6. Current external consultations

• HEFCE Consultation on the future of quality assessment in HE

HEFCE and the higher education funding bodies in Wales and Northern Ireland are seeking views on future approaches to quality assessment. Their aim is to develop innovative approaches that are risk-based, proportionate, affordable, and low burden. Any new arrangements must build on established strengths and good practice, including institutions’ own robust quality assurance systems, and reflect the values and cultures of higher education. They will also need to demonstrate value for taxpayers’ and students’ money.

The Steering Group that has been set up to lead the review has published a discussion document which aims to stimulate wide-ranging discussion and debate on the broad purpose, principles and parameters of any future arrangements. In the first stage of the review, general views of universities and colleges, students, employers, and others with an interest in higher education are being sought on:

• trends and developments in higher education over the next decade;
• high-level principles that should underpin future quality assessment arrangements
• the purpose of quality assessment;
• approaches to academic standards;
• the ability of higher education providers to provide necessary assurances for quality assessment activities;
• the extent to which a quality assessment system should be differentiated to reflect the diversity of providers and provision;
• approaches to dealing with issues when things go wrong;
• components of a quality assessment system.

The deadline for responding to the first stage of the consultation is Friday 27 February 2015. If you would like to contribute to the institutional response please send any comments to Geoff Carter (geoff.carter@manchester.ac.uk) by Friday 20 February 2015.

The second stage of this review, in summer 2015, will address more detailed options, design and implementation issues. It will be for each funding body to decide how to proceed once the discussion and consultation are complete.

To read this item in full visit:

• HEFCE website
  
  

• Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)’s consultation on qualification characteristics

The QAA is inviting comments on revised versions of three Qualification Characteristics Statements: Foundation Degree characteristics, Master’s Degree characteristics, Doctoral Degree characteristics, and on the development of a new Statement: Qualifications Awarded by Two or More Degree Awarding Bodies. They welcome contributions to this consultation from anyone with an interest in any or all of the areas covered, including staff with responsibilities for any or all of the qualifications described; students, student representatives and staff from student representative bodies; sector and representative bodies; professional, statutory or regulatory bodies; and employer groups.

Information is available from the QAA website:

• Consultation on four Qualification Characteristics Statements

The deadline for responding to these consultations is Monday 23 March 2015.

7. Other information from the QAA

• Revised subject guidance

QAA has published revised guidance on five subject areas delivered at Honours degree level:

• Geography
• History
• Chemistry
• Archaeology
• Classics and Ancient History

The Subject Benchmark Statements have been agreed following consultation with the sector. Each set of guidance defines what can be expected of a graduate in the subject, in terms of what they might know, do and understand at the end of their studies.

• Further information about the revised guidance can be found on the QAA website.

1.    Periodic and Institutional Reviews

This month's updated review schedule for internal programmes and collaborative provision for the next six years is available below:

• Periodic and institutional review schedule

2.    TLSO Website / Policy & procedure changes and information

• Policy on Mitigating Circumstances: supporting documents

The Policy on Mitigating Circumstances underwent review during 2013/14.  The Review Sponsor was Professor Richard Reece (Associate Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students) and sought input from the various Policy stakeholders.  The revised Policy came into effect in September 2014 following oversight from a Task and Finish Group and with final approval from Teaching and Learning Group and Senate.

One of the changes to the Policy was that the title was amended to remove the reference to ‘Procedures’.  The procedural element was considered to be best formulated in a separate document comprising of Terms of Reference for Mitigating Circumstances Panels and guidance for those Panels about handling requests for mitigation e.g. acceptance and recommendation codes.  The coding was arrived at following the collation of existing practice within Schools and was considered to respond to student concerns in relation to managing expectations as to outcomes from submitting requests for mitigation.  The Terms of Reference document was approved at the September 2014 Teaching and Learning Group.

The Terms of Reference document is now available and is to be applied from the 2014/15 academic year onwards.  The Teaching and Learning Support Office (TLSO) is happy to receive feedback from Schools over the course of the academic year at appealsandcomplaints@manchester.ac.uk which will be considered over summer 2015.  The TLSO will also be arranging a Brown Bag Lunch for staff to attend in January 2015 to allow for a discussion about application of the Policy and Terms of Reference.  More details on this session will follow. 

A template Notification of Mitigating Circumstances Form has been developed. Schools should highlight to students e.g. in Programme Handbooks or emails at assessment periods, if an alternative form or notification method is being used.  In relation to the development of an online submission system for requests for mitigation, this has been raised with IT Services by Richard Reece.

The student guidance to complement the Policy is in the process of being copy-edited and will be in the style of a student leaflet.  The content will also be mirrored on the Crucial Guide website.  The current Mitigating Circumstances: Guidance for Students is available.  The url will remain the same when the guidance is updated.

The Policy and associated supporting documents can all be found on the Policy on Mitigating Circumstances webpage.

• Slight amendment to Programme Amendment and Withdrawal of Programme forms

The forms for recording programme amendments or withdrawal of programmes have both had a new addition of a box to add the UCAS code for the programme. The forms can be found on the TLSO website:

• Programme amendments

• Programme withdrawals
  

• Slight amendments to the NPP2 form

The NPP2 (Application for New Taught Programme Content) form has had two minor changes made to it, as follows: On completion, the form should also be sent to Student Services Manager (Student Immigration) ‘(for the attention of Sophie Hargreaves)’. Also, the contacts in Student Admissions and Administration have changed to Jayne Golden (for UG programmes) and Catherine Schofield (for PG programmes). 

• NPP2 form
  

• Assessment Framework

The Assessment Framework was amended in November 2014 to replace the wording ‘Code of Practice on External Examiners’ with the updated title of the document: ‘Guidance on External Examiner Procedures’ and to replace the Policy and Procedure on Mitigating Circumstances with the updated Policy on Mitigating Circumstances (approved June 2014).

• The Assessment Framework

3.    Consultations

• Consultation on a new draft Policy on Inclusive Teaching and Learning Materials

A draft Policy has been produced in order to standardise practice across the University in terms of the anticipation, identification and promotion of good practice in the preparation and presentation of teaching materials for the general benefit of all students, but particularly for the support of disabled students by mainstreaming a small number of adjustments. Associate Deans (with the assistance of Faculty PSS staff) have been asked to consult on the draft Policy and return a consolidated Faculty response to the Head of Academic Policy (emma.hilton-2@manchester.ac.uk) by 19th February 2015. Information can be found on our Consultations webpage or in the documents listed below:

• Policy on Inclusive Teaching and Learning Materials

• Implementation Plan: Policy on Inclusive Teaching and Learning Materials

4.    Policy/procedure changes from elsewhere in the University

• Important Changes to Student ADVISOR Roles - carried out Tuesday 28th October

The Student System Office has implemented a number of changes to the naming of the Advisor role types in Campus Solutions, as well as carrying out a realignment of student advisor records to specific roles. This also includes these changes being represented within other integrated systems such as My Manchester and eProg.

This follows an agreement by Senate to rationalise the types of advisor relationships which certain cohorts of students are expected to have. It will also provide the structure for future development of staff access to relevant student data within My Manchester and other systems.

Upon all changes being made, the roles which will be available for use are as follows. Note that they specifically indicate which Career of student they should be used against, and these conventions should be adhered to now that the changes have been fully implemented:

The changes carried out on Tuesday 28th October, are as follows:

Where assigned role types need to be realigned against students’ records, this will be carried out technically to limit any unnecessary workload on School staff. Upon the changes being carried out, you will need to ensure that you utilise the appropriate role types against student records.
If you have any queries, please contact pamela.ransome@manchester.ac.uk

5.    Unit Surveys

• Semester 1 Surveys

The online Unit Surveys will open on Monday 1st December 2014 for students to complete before they finish in December. 

The paper Unit Surveys are being distributed in pdf form for Schools to print and distribute to students in lectures.

The TLSO are working on a number of initiatives to support the promotion of Unit Surveys including continued work with the Student Communications Team (DSE) and development of the ‘Tell US’ campaign.  Last semester’s twitter campaign (#unitselfie) and concerted efforts by online Schools saw the highest response rate to date, with 18 out of 25 areas achieving over 30% response rates alongside the more detailed free-text comments that come from online surveys.

This promotional campaign will continue into semester 1 as we support more Schools that are recognising the benefits and move to the online system.

We are particularly keen to hear from colleagues who are working with their Student Reps to promote surveys as we want to promote any aspects of this best practice over the coming year. Please contact unitsurveys@manchester.ac.uk if you want to know more or can share ideas.

6.    Peer Support

• Edinburgh PASS National Leader Conference

The fourth annual National PASS Leader Conference took place on 7th and 8th November at the University of Edinburgh, with contributions from 26 institutions that have either PASS or PAL implemented in some form. We had the opportunity to bring along six Leaders to represent Manchester and the variety of schemes that we have. You can find the details of these Leaders on our website below.

All institutions had to create a poster that represented their scheme; Manchester did extremely well and finished 2nd overall. We were very proud of their accomplishment and their poster can be found on the website. The Leaders were all split from their institutions and placed into nine different groups and given a number of activities to do over the Conference.

Around 80 Leaders from all institutions met up to share ideas and experiences. There were four workshops that supplemented the skills these Leaders already possess. We also ran a number of team challenges that helped create a strong connection and allowed the Leaders to share creativity and use one another to develop what they know about PASS and PALs.

All in all there was a lot to take away from the event and the Leaders were enthusiastic about what they could bring back to our institution and how we could develop overall. More information and a full report can be found on our website. 

• Hosting the International Delegates

There were four international students who attended the Conference and the University of Manchester was set to host them prior to our trip to Edinburgh. Tina and Lisa were from Germany, Kaley came from America and John was representing South Africa. They arrived three days prior to the Conference and had the opportunity to see some PASS in action at Manchester; this included Russian PASS, some FLS PASS, Computer Science PASS and Aerospace PASS. David Buxton took the lead on showing them around Manchester and gave them a tour of our beautiful institution. Along with taking them to Media city, Old Trafford and the Manchester Museum, we took them to a number of restaurants and activities that highlight Manchester.

The overall feedback was extraordinary, they had taken so much in but wanted to stay longer and truly experience Manchester. The PASS that they saw showed the true creativity and engagement that the students have with their Leaders and the sessions were well appreciated.

7.      Peer Support ‘Brown Bag Lunch’: Our work and its benefits

• Thursday 4 December, 12pm – 1.30pm, Rutherford Room (Rutherford Building)

The Peer Support programme is one of our largest programmes whereby higher year students support new students in managing the transition into and throughout higher education. The programme adds massive value to the Manchester experience and ensures that we have happy and successful students who are confident and able to fulfil their potential.

Come along to hear about the great activity that the programme does and be inspired by some of the great examples of what our highly engaged student Leaders and Mentors are doing across the campus!

8.    QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) information

• Publication of The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies

The updated and revised version of the UK frameworks for higher education qualifications has been published. The document brings together the two frameworks: The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications of Degree-Awarding Bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and The Framework for Qualifications of Higher Education Institutions in Scotland into a single document, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies.

• Publication of five Revised subject benchmark statements

Following a public consultation, QAA has published revised subject benchmark statements for five subject areas. Each statement defines what can be expected of a graduate in the subject, in terms of what they might know, do and understand at the end of their studies.

• Subject benchmark statement: Architectural technology
• Subject benchmark statement: Early childhood studies
• Subject benchmark statement: Earth sciences, environmental sciences and environmental studies
• Subject benchmark statement: Housing studies
• Subject benchmark statement: Theology and religious studies

Full details can be found on the QAA website.

1.    Staffing News

We were pleased to welcome Ben Bone as our new Teaching and Learning Assistant in August.

For information about out new Students as Partners Sabbatical Interns, please see the Students as Partners section of the Bulletin.

2.    Periodic and Institutional Reviews

This month's updated review schedule for internal programmes and collaborative provision for the next six years is available below:

• Periodic and institutional review schedule

3.    TLSO Website / Policy & procedure changes and information

• University presentation templates

As part of work being carried out with the Disability Support Office (DSO) on the production of an Accessible Curriculum Policy, academic staff are being encouraged to use standard presentation templates for their teaching and learning activities, to enable these presentations to be accessible to as wide a variety of learners as possible. A number of standard templates have consequently been produced; two Microsoft PowerPoint templates and two Apple Keynote templates. One of each template includes a University logo, while the other does not. The latter gives more space on the slide for writing. The templates can be found on the following webpage:

• University templates for teaching presentations
  

• 'Back on Course'

The 'Back on Course' scheme has now ended in England and is now only available in Scotland (http://www.backoncourse.ac.uk/). If any Schools still include information about 'Back on Course' in any letters to students, please could you arrange to remove it? The scheme would formerly have been used to refer students to if they had failed the year or were being withdrawn.

4.    Consultations

Details of the following current consultations are available on the TLSO website at:

TLSO Consultations

• University Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Strategy

The University’s strategic goals for ‘world class research’, ‘outstanding learning and student experience’ and ‘social responsibility’ are outlined in Goals 1, 2 and 3 respectively of the Strategic Plan, Manchester 2020, with short companion strategies for Goals 1 and 3 at present. A University Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Strategy is currently being drafted, in support of Goal 2. A consultation paper is available regarding this strategy and any comments should be returned to Louise Walmsley (louise.walmsley@manchester.ac.uk) by 1st December 2014. Details are available at:

• Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Strategy
  

• Consultation regarding a revised Policy on the Submission of Work for Summative Assessment

This document sets out the University’s Policy on submission deadlines, the process of submission and the penalties associated with late submission. A small number of amendments have been suggested, mainly in relation to online submission and printing costs where Schools require alternative formats other than online; or where students choose to print and bind dissertations or equivalent, they are required to meet the costs themselves.
Any feedback should be returned to Miriam Graham (m.graham@manchester.ac.uk) by 19th December 2014.

• Consultation regarding Guidance on Examination Boards

The Guidance has been reviewed, following the work of the Exam Board Practices and Procedures Group, and suggested revisions made to the document. Following discussion at the Teaching and Learning Management Group (TLMG) on 22 September 2014, it was agreed that the revised Guidance be distributed to Faculties for consultation.
Any feedback should be returned to Miriam Graham (m.graham@manchester.ac.uk) by 19th December 2014.

5.    Students as Partners

• Staff Changes

A very warm welcome to our 2014-15 Sabbatical Interns who will be working in delivering the Peer Support programme across all four faculties. The new Sabbatical Interns are:-

•    EPS: Maz Nathoo and Anabelle Britton
•    Humanities: Anest Williams, Alastair Ross and David Buxton
•    MHS: Sophie Trueman and Rachael Lewis
•    FLS: Olivia O’Connell

We welcome them to TLSO and look forward to working with them during the coming year! We would also like to thank the outgoing Sabbatical Interns who worked so hard during the past year.

• PASS Leader Training

Over the past month over 681 students from 30 schemes have been trained to be PASS Leaders (in addition to in excess of 700 Peer Mentors, some of whom also completed their training over the past 3 weeks)

PASS Leaders are trained and support particularly challenging areas of the course.  Their training (as facilitators for groups of lower year students in their subject area) covers planning sessions, communication, questioning skills, developing basis techniques to carry out successful session and takes place over 4 half day workshops.  The final session of PASS Leader training is subject specific, where they consolidate their training and apply techniques in the context of their own discipline whilst providing an opportunity to consider how PASS contributes to their personal development.

Feedback from PASS Leaders has shown they have gained in confidence to undertake their role, with students commenting that:

‘I have learnt lots of useful tips on structuring the sessions’ Econometrics.
‘I now understand how to re-direct questions’ Music
‘The training has helped me develop my facilitation skills’ MACE

More information about PASS/Peer Mentoring can be found on the Students as Partners webpages.

• askme

The askme campaign has been a resounding success, which was in no small part to the significant number of Peer Support students across the University who contributed their time and energy to support the activity.
 
Over 100 Student Coordinators were wearing askme hoodies and they distributed over 1100 askme badges to their Peer Mentors and PASS Leaders. In addition to the students in ‘branded’ askme badges and hoodies, staff working on the Peer Support programme were out and about wearing their purple t-shirts and hoodies, supporting induction activity across numerous disciplines and training new PASS Leaders and Peer Mentors.

• Welcome and Induction

Each year a huge amount of scheme activity takes place during Welcome Week. In particular our Peer Mentoring schemes see this as a critical time for new students to manage their initial transition into University life. The point is to get students connected so they feel a sense of belonging and community that acts as a massive support mechanism for them across their 1st year with us. Whilst a huge amount of activity took place, from BBQs, drinks receptions, quizzes and team building competitions, one of our schemes, namely BA Econ, went that extra mile in welcoming their students by making this video. It fills me with a great sense of pride that we have such committed students working with the Peer Support programme!

• Start of Year Fair

At the Peer Support stall (based in the Start of Year Fair tent outside Uni Place) there was a lot of interest from students - asking about both PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) and Peer Mentoring.  Many had already heard of Peer Support in their discipline and some of the Sabbatical Interns on the stall were even recognised from their lecture shout outs! A significant number of those approaching the desk had already met or were about to meet their Peer Mentor or PASS Leader and the stall helped us provide any clarification needed about PASS or Peer Mentoring to the new students.

Although the stall was primarily aimed at first years there was a lot of interest from higher years wanting to know how they could get involved and help support the other students at the university, including a number of Post Graduate students!

• MyFuture Ambassadors

In 2014/15, the Peer Support Programme will be partnering up with the Careers Service in order to pilot an exciting employability initiative. We will be recruiting a number of our Students Coordinators, Leaders and Mentors, who will be known as ‘My Future Ambassadors,’ to work on 2 specific project areas, these being:

1.    Exploring how to engage the interest of first year students in options open to them after graduation and researching the most effective ways to get across key messages and information to all year groups.
2.    Identifying and examining barriers that may prevent first year students feeling confident about exploring the opportunities open to them after they graduate.

We will be piloting activity in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, the School of Psychological Sciences and the School of Mathematics. It is hoped that the impact of the project will significantly enhance DLHE data and ensure that a roll out of the pilot across the whole Peer Support programme can be achieved.

6.     QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) information

• Current consultation on nine revised subject benchmark statements

QAA is inviting comments on the draft revised versions of the subject benchmark statements for nine subjects. This consultation aims to gather comment on each section of the benchmark statements and how it sits with current practice in teaching and learning. The subjects concerned are: Anthropology, Business and Management, Education Studies, Engineering, English, Librarianship, Osteopathy, Philosophy, and Politics and international relations.

The consultation is open until 25 November 2014.

• Consultation on nine revised subject benchmark statements   
  
  

7.   Contact

If you are aware of other staff members who would like to be added to the TLSO Bulletin mailing list to receive future editions of the Bulletin, please contact Miriam Graham (email m.graham@manchester.ac.uk).

If you are from a Collaborative Partner and you are having difficulties accessing any of the linked documents or web pages, please also contact Miriam Graham (m.graham@manchester.ac.uk).