A round-up from our annual That’s Quality! induction event for new college and university student officers and those who support them. The event is designed to help new officers engage in quality processes at the institutional and national level.
The 2023 event was split into three parts. The first part of That’s Quality! was a half-day, sector-specific online event for college and universities respectively, which took place in July. This was followed by an online self-study module, providing officers with a more detailed overview of quality in Scotland. Finally, we held a joint residential event in August at Queen Margaret University (QMU), with delegates from across the tertiary sector.
The first events to kick off That’s Quality! 2023 were the online half-day training events on Thursday 6th July. These events were the first opportunity for officers to get to know one another and to find out more about sparqs, to consider what makes a quality student experience, and to begin to explore how to ensure a quality student experience for all students, however and wherever they learn. The events were well attended, with a total of 56 participants across the two events.
After the online events, all attendees were sent a link to the relevant That’s Quality! online module (one for colleges and one for universities) which provided more in-depth information about the quality landscape in Scotland. This module is accessible to officers throughout their year in post, so that they can refer to it on an ongoing basis.
On Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th August, participants from both colleges and universities attended a joint residential event at Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh. We welcomed 71 delegates from across 32 colleges, universities and tertiary institutions. During the first day, we had sessions on exploring the Student Learning Experience; the tertiary approach to quality; and using data and evidence to make an impact in your role.
The second day of the residential event was given over to a simulation activity. Each tutor group became the new students’ association of our fictional tertiary institution, Central Scotland University College! Throughout the day, each group took parts in two ‘visits’ – one with Erica Russell-Hensens and Steph Kirkham from the Scottish Funding Council and one with Barbara Nelson and Sarah Halliwell from Education Scotland and Caroline Turnbull and Susi Peacock from QAA Scotland. Alongside these scheduled visits, several ‘disruptions’ took place throughout the day, including drop-ins from Tina Harrison, The University of Edinburgh, and Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland.
92% of respondents to our end-of-event survey said that their facilitators were ‘very good’ or ‘outstanding’. Participants particularly enjoyed meeting other officers and students’ association staff from across Scotland; the range of interactive activities; and the opportunity to take part in the simulation.
If you have any queries, please contact Megan Brown, Development Consultant – megan.brown@sparqs.ac.uk.
We hope that everyone enjoyed and got a lot out of the training and we look forward to working with you all during the year and beyond!
