Save the dates for the next SESN and NEON meetings! 06 Jul 2021
We've now set dates for our next series of staff and officer network meetings, SESN and NEON respectively, taking us up until the end of 2021, so please hold them in diaries if relevant! Both networks are continuing to run more… Read More
Updated SLE resource: suggested questions for course reps 06 Jul 2021
We are pleased to launch our updated resource, Suggested questions for course reps: COVID-19 edition (2021-22), designed to help course reps gather crucial student feedback during the ongoing health crisis. As we come to the beginning of a new academic… Read More
Student Engagement Awards and Celebrating Success Report 2021 06 Jul 2021
Congratulations to all of our Student Engagement Award-winners and thanks to everyone who joined us on 22nd June for the Awards ceremony, which also included the launch of our report Celebrating Successful Partnerships in 2020-21. The report features many of the… Read More
We are recruiting a Development Consultant! - closing date 12noon on 16th July 06 Jul 2021
We are currently recruiting a Development Consultant to join the staff team We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated and committed individual to help contribute to our vision and strategy, and to deliver a range of activities, including training, consultancy support and research and… Read More
That's Quality! events reminder ....last chance to sign up for TQ Universities! 06 Jul 2021
A reminder that our That's Quality! summer induction events for new college and university student officers (and staff who support them) are still open for registrations. Both events will again be taking place online, and while they are taking place over… Read More
sparqs' Student Engagement Awards: join us for the results on 22nd June! 08 Jun 2021
Nominations have closed for the sparqs' Student Engagement Awards 2021, a process that has seen over fifty submissions across our six categories. Shortlisting is now underway, and the high quality and diversity of the submissions means it’s a tough job for… Read More
New toolkit for education officer “outduction” 08 Jun 2021
We are delighted to launch a new resource: “Developing the future careers of students’ association education officers - An Outduction Toolkit”, in conjunction with College Development Network, Advance HE and NUS Charity. Each year, education officers leave their posts with an incredible… Read More
Launch of new staff development toolkit on student engagement 08 Jun 2021
We are delighted to announce the publication of sparqs’ new toolkit for staff development. Titled “Exploring student engagement with academic staff”, the toolkit builds on, and updates, our past staff development materials to reflect the changing learning experience of this… Read More
Briefing note to outgoing 2020-21 course reps 08 Jun 2021
We recently circulated our latest briefing note to course reps, part of a series of briefing notes and direct communications to course reps this year, to support their work and provide extra guidance for them during COVID-19. This latest briefing is a message… Read More
Our That's Quality! 2021 online events are open to book! 08 Jun 2021
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 again be taking place online, and while they are… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Heloisa Fyfe 30 Apr 2021
In this interview, we talk to Heloisa Fyfe, Vice-President (Representation and Volunteers) at Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA). Previously, she was a Festival and Event Management student and a Programme Rep at Edinburgh Napier University. 1. Can you tell us about… Read More
A reminder re the joint QAA/sparqs Student-led Project Event on 25th May 2021 30 Apr 2021
A reminder that there's still time to sign up for our joint, student-led project event with QAA Scotland on 25th May.... As part of the current QAA Enhancement Theme – ‘Resilient Learning Communities’ - sparqs and QAA Scotland are working collaboratively… Read More
SESN on 13th May 2021 is open to book! 30 Apr 2021
Bookings are open for the next meeting of our Student Engagement Staff Network, taking place online on Thursday 13th May 2021 from 10.00am until 1.00pm. The network is aimed at staff in universities and colleges with student engagement and academic representation development roles. Our agenda contains two major discussions.… Read More
Bookings are open for NEON on 20th May 2021 + the new NEON mailing list! 30 Apr 2021
Join us for the final sparqs’ National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) meeting of the 2020-21 academic year, on Thursday 20th May 2021, from 10.00am until 1.00om. The network is designed to be a space for officers to network and work on issues together in a… Read More
Our 2021-22 Associate Trainer recruitment is still open! 30 Apr 2021
A reminder that sparqs 2021-22 Associate Trainer recruitment is still open for applications - deadline 9.00am, Monday 17th May 2021! .Calling all course reps and apprentice reps! Do you have experience as a course rep or apprentice rep? Will you be a student or… Read More
Submit to our Student Engagement Awards 2021! 30 Apr 2021
sparqs is proud to announce our Student Engagement Awards for 2021! In what would normally be a year for our internationally renowned biennial conference, the challenges for student engagement and the importance of partnership are at the forefront of our… Read More
Your Course Rep Training options for 2021-22 30 Apr 2021
We are in the process of contacting Course Rep Training Organisers within Scottish institutions (the person who manages and oversees course rep systems) to ask about institutional plans for Course Rep Training delivery in 2021-22. A prompt reply (even if… Read More
sparqs is recruiting student Associate Trainers 29 Mar 2021
sparqs 2021-22 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 9.00am, Monday 17th May 2021! .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 2021-22? If so,… Read More
Please note that sparqs will be closed from 1st-9th April 29 Mar 2021
Please note that sparqs will be closed from 1st-9th April inclusive, to allow for an Easter leave period for the staff team. We will reopen on Monday 12th April. While the office is closed, you can leave a message via the website or leave a voicemail… Read More
Student-led Project Event on 25th May 2021: ‘Innovations in Digital Student Communities' 29 Mar 2021
As part of the current QAA Enhancement Theme – ‘Resilient Learning Communities’ - sparqs and QAA Scotland are working collaboratively to facilitate the delivery of the Student-led Project (SLP). The SLP engages student officers from across the sector to input… Read More
