We're delighted to be able to give early notification of our 2026 Summer training dates, for both That's Quality! and our Associate Trainer residential event:
That’s Quality!
Following feedback from delegates at last year’s event, we have reviewed the course content and logistics and have revised the format of That’s Quality! to include an extra half-day at the beginning of the residential event, which replaces the previous half-day online sessions.
The full programme now comprises the self-study module and the extended residential event:
- The online self-study module should be completed prior to attending the residential training. It will provide officers with a detailed overview of quality in Scotland and is designed to be referenced throughout the whole academic year.
- The 2½ day residential event will consist of interactive group activities, allowing attendees to explore what they have learnt in practice and to network with colleagues from across the tertiary sector. It will be held at Queen Margaret University, beginning at lunchtime on Monday 10th August, followed by two full days on 11th & 12th August 2026. Dinner on the Monday and Tuesday evenings will allow for social and networking opportunities.
That’s Quality! is aimed at new and returning student officers with an education remit and students' association staff. It will provide a valuable addition to your planned induction for new officers - introducing participants to the quality enhancement agenda, looking at why quality matters to students and how to use it to make change. Further details will follow in due course, including the cost of the event, which will be inclusive of the online resources and the residential training (accommodation and meals).
Please save the dates for new and/or continuing officers and relevant SA staff! Bookings will open in due course.
For further information, please contact Chase Greenfield, Development Consultant – chase.greenfield@sparqs.ac.uk.
Associate Trainer (AT) residential
Our annual, 4-day Associate Trainer (AT) residential event is a comprehensive training course to equip sparqs' ATs and Institutional ATs (from participating institutions) to deliver Course Rep Training during the following academic year.
Our 2026 residential will take place from Monday 24th to Thursday 27th August 2026 at Queen Margaret University (full days, timings TBC).
Read more on our AT scheme and IAT scheme webpages. Through the IAT scheme we continue to help institutions and students' associations to develop their own training, and to recruit and manage their own teams of trainers, which brings the following benefits:
- Training can be customised to the structures, cultures and needs of each institution.
- There is more flexibility in the potential number of timing of delivery with an institutional team rather than one accessed through sparqs.
- It retains the peer-led model and provides a development opportunity for students interested in this area of work.
Please save the dates if you take part in our IAT scheme, or are considering doing so! Registration for participating institutions will open nearer the time.
sparqs recruits ATs annually around March/April to ensure we have sufficient capacity within our own Associate Trainer team… so watch this space if you’re a rep who is interested in being employed as an AT by sparqs and trained at the below event to deliver CRT across Scotland in 2026-27!
If institutions or students' associations have any other questions or requests related to CRT, please get in touch with Nicola Cameron, Business Manager - nicola.cameron@sparqs.ac.uk or email us at admin@sparqs.ac.uk.