Launch of our STEP Practical Guide to Student Engagement 13 Jan 2026
sparqs is delighted to announce the publication of our Practical Guide to Scotland’s Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP). This guide has been produced for students’ association officers and staff in the tertiary education sector in Scotland. It provides a context and… Read More
sparqs is seeking a new Trustee Board Chair - closing date extended to 9.00am on Thursday 19th February 2026 15 Dec 2025
Volunteer Chair of Trustee Board sparqs is currently seeking a chair of Trustees who will lead our Board with integrity, insight and enthusiasm. This is an opportunity to guide a highly-regarded charity into its next exciting chapter. Please note that the… Read More
Welcome to our Deputy Director, Hannah Clarke! 04 Dec 2025
We are thrilled to announce that Hannah Clarke has been appointed as the Deputy Director of sparqs, an exciting new role within the organisation! Many of you will remember Hannah from her previous roles within sparqs, initially as a Development… Read More
Our thanks to Sir Andrew Cubie as he plans to step down as Chair 03 Nov 2025
After almost seven years as Chair of the sparqs Trustee Board, Sir Andrew Cubie has decided to step down, as he approaches his 80th birthday. Sir Andrew will be greatly missed by the whole of the staff team and by… Read More
Launch of sparqs’ updated SEAP guide and new TQER guide 17 Sep 2025
sparqs has recently published two key guidance documents for students' association offiers and staff... updated SEAP guidance and new TQER guidance.... SEAP guide We are delighted to publish our updated SEAP Guidance for students’ associations and student officers, designed to support meaningful… Read More
NEON and SESN 2025-26 plans - book now for December's NEON! 01 Sep 2025
We are pleased to announce our NEON and SESN plans for the year... save the dates for the relevant network and book now for December's NEON... NEON The National Education Officer’s Network (NEON) is designed as an ongoing training, development, and networking… Read More
sparqs' 2025-26 Course Rep Training is open to book! 29 Aug 2025
Bookings are now open for Course Rep Training during 2025-26 ....for delivery from week beginning Monday 29th September 2025 onwards. All the information you need is on our main CRT webpage. Please read the booking guidance before arranging your sessions and… Read More
SESN plans for 2025-26 - register now for October's meeting! 28 Aug 2025
The Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) is back for academic year 2025-26. Make sure you save the dates in your diary! The online meetings will all take place via Zoom, from 10.00am to 1.00pm. The October meeting is currently open… Read More
Student officers – Join us for this year’s NEON meetings 28 Aug 2025
New and returning student officers are invited to sign up and participate in this academic year’s National Education Officers' Network (NEON), run by sparqs. What is NEON? The National Education Officer’s Network (NEON) is designed as an ongoing training, development, and networking… Read More
Updated induction guidance for Academic Rep Co-ordinators 21 May 2025
sparqs is pleased to announce an update to our induction resource for new academic representation co-ordinators and similar students’ association staff. The Induction guide for Academic Representation Co-ordinators contains helpful information for any new students’ association or institution staff member… Read More
Education officer induction and outduction resources 2025 14 Apr 2025
We are delighted to announce our annual update to our induction and outduction resources for education officers, designed to support institutions and students’ associations during their annual officer handover processes. The two updated resources we’ve published include: Education officer induction resource Education officer… Read More
Blended Learning Resource Hub 13 Apr 2025
We are pleased to share the recently-developed Blended Learning Resource Hub, developed jointly by four Scottish quality agencies, with the aim of supporting the delivery of active blended learning in universities and colleges. The hub – which sits on the QAA… Read More
That's Quality! 2025 13 Apr 2025
Thank you to everyone who attended our annual That's Quality! programme for student officers and students’ association staff. The 2025 event was split into three parts: The first part of That’s Quality! was a half-day, sector-specific online event in July. The second part… Read More
sparqs is recruiting student Associate Trainers for 2025-26 11 Apr 2025
sparqs 2025-26 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 9am, Monday 12th May 2025! Calling all student reps! Do you have experience as a course/apprentice or other representative role? Will you be a student or apprentice during 2025-26? ....if so, and you… Read More
Planning for the year ahead: a combined meeting of JAG, NEON and SESN 10 Mar 2025
Following previous successful combined events, sparqs’ three stakeholder forums will gather again in May for a joint, in-person meeting to explore sparqs' future work. On Wednesday 7th May 2025 sparqs’ Joint Advisory Group (JAG), National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) and Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) and members… Read More
Embedding student partnership within staff development project – your chance to get involved in piloting resources! 10 Feb 2025
Many thanks to those of you who’ve already contributed to the current sparqs staff development project. The project is progressing well and we are delighted that we can now offer an opportunity for institutions to get involved in piloting project… Read More
Save the dates for summer training 2025! 05 Feb 2025
We're delighted to be able to give early notification of our 2025 Summer training dates, for both That's Quality! and our Associate Trainer residential event... That's Quality! That's Quality! Colleges online event: Tuesday 22nd July 2025, 10.00am-1.00pm, via Zoom. That’s Quality! Universities online… Read More
New Buddy Scheme intake - sign up by 21st February! 04 Feb 2025
We are pleased to announce a further opportunity to join the Buddy Scheme, to be paired with a buddy for the remainder of this academic year! Aimed at student engagement practitioners working in students' associations and institutions across Scotland, by… Read More
Opportunity for students to contribute to the SLE Sustainable Development lens - join the online event on 6th March! 01 Feb 2025
We are pleased to announce that sparqs is collaborating with EAUC Scotland and SOS-UK to develop the Sustainable Development lens of the Student Learning Experience model. This work will help to raise the profile of Sustainable Development as a key… Read More
New Year round-up and sparqs' team news! 06 Jan 2025
Happy New Year from all at sparqs! We wish everyone across the sector a happy and healthy 2025 and look forward to working with you all in the coming year. Our first news articles of 2025 have now been published, including… Read More