sparqs' new work plans 01 Jun 2020
sparqs is concentrating on supporting the sector to put the student voice at the centre of decision making in the months ahead, as everyone responds to the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. We are supporting institutions to put in place measures… Read More
A personal thank you 01 Jun 2020
I have had the pleasure of attending several sparqs’ events over recent weeks, including our National Education Officer Network, Student Engagement Staff Network and our Joint (College and University) Advisory Group. What struck me, is the level of commitment from so… Read More
Our That's Quality! 2020 online events are open to book! 01 Jun 2020
We are pleased to announce that our That's Quality! summer induction events for new college and university student officers (and staff who support them) are now open for registrations. Both events will be taking place online, and while they are taking… Read More
New resources for inducting education officers 01 Jun 2020
The changes in the learning experience, the homeworking context, and the challenges lying ahead in the new academic year, all mean that incoming education sabbaticals in students’ associations have a difficult but vital job. sparqs has produced two resources that… Read More
A direct comms to current academic reps in Scotland 01 Jun 2020
During week beginning 18th May, we sent out a briefing note FAO Course Reps to students' associations, for distribution to current reps (with an offer to tailor a version for any SAs wishing us to add their own logos and contact details). The… Read More
NEON and SESN: updates on our officer and staff networks 01 Jun 2020
As part of our continued support to the sector during lockdown, our May network events continued as scheduled – albeit online and with revised content that focused on the challenges for student engagement presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Student Engagement… Read More
A recap of recent additions to our hub 01 Jun 2020
In case you missed them, a quick recap of some recent additions to our COVID-19 information hub (which aren't already featured in other articles)..... Sector briefings On 13th May, we sent out an email to all our contacts in Scotland, signposting some… Read More
sparqs' COVID-19 information hub 06 Apr 2020
As we all find ourselves having to rapidly transform our working practices in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, sparqs has developed a COVID-19 information hub as a dedicated space to provide updates about our refocused work plans, our forthcoming online… Read More
Still time to apply to be a sparqs' Associate Trainer for 2020-21 06 Apr 2020
sparqs 2020-21 Associate Trainer recruitment is still open for applications - deadline 12noon, Friday 15th May 2020! .Calling all course reps and apprentice reps! Do you have experience as a course rep or apprentice rep? Will you be a student or apprentice during… Read More
sparqs' Easter shutdown: 6th-17th April 06 Apr 2020
Please note that sparqs is closed from 6th-17th April inclusive, to allow for an Easter leave period for the staff team and to avoid carrying significant amounts of leave into the new academic year, which will inevitably be a challenging… Read More
Our online NEON meeting on 7th May is open to book! 06 Apr 2020
Join us on Thursday 7th May 2020 for the third meeting of sparqs’ National Education Officers’ Network (NEON), which will take place by video-conference. NEON was set up in response to feedback from student officers who expressed the need for… Read More
Our refocused work plans in the light of COVID-19 06 Apr 2020
On 31st March, we circulated a letter to all of our stakeholders, outlining how sparqs intends to support students and staff to work in partnership to safeguard the student experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the letter is accessible on our… Read More
Book now for our online SESN meeting on 5th May! 06 Apr 2020
The next meeting of our Student Engagement Staff Network, on Tuesday 5th May 2020, will take place by video-conference. Our agenda will focus entirely on the sector’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with discussions that reflect sparqs’ three short-term priorities: Supporting online representative… Read More
COVID-19 - useful college sector guidance for student officers 06 Apr 2020
We know that college students’ associations are doing great work in supporting students through the crisis and that much of your time has been taken up with keeping students safe and secure and dealing with issues such as funding and… Read More
The role of the SA Academic Co-ordinator during COVID-19 06 Apr 2020
As significant changes to learning, teaching, quality and assessment processes are implemented over the coming weeks and months, student engagement has never been more important. From sabbatical officers to course reps, students’ associations and institutions are being asked to find… Read More
COVID-19 - useful university sector guidance for student officers 06 Apr 2020
We know officers are being involved in some difficult decisions around how universities can adapt their provision during the current crisis. Universities and officers are balancing keeping students and staff safe with trying to protect the quality of the student… Read More
Five top tips for supporting course reps during COVID-19 06 Apr 2020
Exactly what it says in the title.... some top tips for supporting course reps during COVID-19, given the challenging situation we all suddenly find ourselves in. We've put the tips together in a handy infographic for easy reading. It covers a range of things… Read More
sparqs is recruiting student Associate Trainers 09 Mar 2020
sparqs 2020-21 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 12noon, Friday 15th May 2020! .Calling all course reps and apprentice reps! Do you have experience as a course rep or apprentice rep? Will you be a student or apprentice during 2020-21? If… Read More
Introducing sparqs’ Student Engagement Analysis Workshop 09 Mar 2020
We are delighted to introduce a new methodology that can help institutions and students’ associations to reflect on and develop their approaches to student engagement. Our Student Engagement Analysis Workshop was developed for our international consultancy, where we have helped institutions… Read More
Volunteer to join the SAAS Student Representative group! 09 Mar 2020
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) are looking for student volunteers to form a Student Representative group. This group’s purpose will be to allow SAAS to consult with students for feedback before releasing new products. This will allow students to view and… Read More
