How good is our college? Progress Visits 2019-20 28 Nov 2019
For academic year 2019-20 Education Scotland has introduced Progress Visits for colleges, as part of the How good is our college? (HGIOC) review process. Progress Visits will take place with each college on an annual basis. The purpose of Progress… Read More
That's Quality! 2019 events roundup 28 Nov 2019
Over the Summer we held our annual induction events for college and university student officers. The focus of both events was how to use quality to enhance students’ learning and teaching experience. It was fantastic to meet so many enthusiastic… Read More
Launch of sparqs’ Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) 28 Nov 2019
sparqs' new Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) had its first meeting on Tuesday 19th November 2019. The network, formerly known as the Academic Representation Coordinators’ network (ARC), aims to draw together staff in student engagement roles in institutions and students’… Read More
Headlines from sparqs’ first National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) event 28 Nov 2019
Our first meeting of the National Education Officers’ Network (NEON) took place on Thursday 14th November 2019 at Glasgow Caledonian University. The inaugural event was attended by 21 attendees from 21 different institutions across Scotland. Originally called EON prior to… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Leila Adair and Toby Reid 28 Nov 2019
In this interview, we talk to Leila Adair and Toby Reid, S3 pupils and Young Leaders of Learning at Harlaw Academy in Aberdeen. Young Leaders of Learning (YLL) is a programme developed by Education Scotland to equip pupils to engage… Read More
sparqs' Christmas closing details 28 Nov 2019
Over the festive period, the sparqs office will be closed from the end of Thursday 19th December onwards, reopening on Monday 6th January 2020. While the office is closed, you can leave a message via the website or leave a voicemail on our answerphone (0131 622 6599) and your… Read More
sparqs' Course Rep Training... are you reaching your Apprentices and senior phase school pupils? 10 Oct 2019
A reminder that bookings are open for sparqs Course Rep Training during 2019-20 and also a reminder about the support sparqs can provide in developing and delivering training for a range of student groups. We have a range of Course Rep Training (CRT) products, some of… Read More
Scotland's Student Mental Health Conference - call for proposals is open! 10 Oct 2019
The call for proposals is now open for Scotland’s Student Mental Health Conference, hosted by NUS Scotland's Think Positive project. The conference is taking place on Monday 11th May 2020 at Stirling Court Hotel and Think Positive are looking for your… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Rob McDermott 10 Oct 2019
In this interview, we talk to Rob McDermott, Quality Manager at Forth Valley College. Initially graduating from Bell College of Technology with an HND in Biological Sciences, he later returned to study as a mature student, graduating from Stirling University… Read More
Launch of sparqs' Education Officers' Network - first meeting 14th November 2019 10 Oct 2019
We are excited to announce the launch of the new sparqs’ Education Officers’ Network, which will provide an opportunity for officers from colleges and universities across Scotland to discuss and work on key sector issues together. The first meeting is taking place… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Maya Sutherland 10 Oct 2019
In this interview, we talk to Maya Sutherland, from the Centre for Academic Planning & Quality Assurance at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Maya Sutherland manages the Quality Assurance/Evaluation process at Stellenbosch University, of all academic departments and support services divisions. She… Read More
ARC becomes SESN – and is open for registrations! 10 Oct 2019
We’re pleased to introduce our Student Engagement Staff Network (SESN) as the new name for our Academic Representation Co-ordinators’ network (ARC) – and to open registration for our next gathering, on Tuesday 19th November 2019 at Dundee University Students’ Association. Over… Read More
New chairs of sparqs' College and University Advisory Groups 10 Oct 2019
We are delighted to announce the appointments of new chairs for two key bodies within sparqs’ governance structure. Roddy Henry, Depute Principal (Planning and Student Experience) at Inverness College UHI, and Prof Tina Harrison, Assistant Principal (Academic Standards and Quality… Read More
Welcome to our new Development Consultants! 10 Oct 2019
We are pleased to have recently welcomed two new Development Consultants to the sparqs team, Megan Brown and Justin Walker. Between them they bring a great balance of both experience and knowledge, which will complement the existing strengths of our… Read More
SPOTLIGHT ON... University of Dundee’s innovative approach in supporting the Student Union Executive Team 02 Aug 2019
This ‘SPOTLIGHT ON’ features an innovative approach being used by the University of Dundee to enhance professional development within the Student Union Executive team. The Graduate Careers and Professional Development Certificate is a credit-bearing programme run by the Careers Service… Read More
'Talking Student Engagement' Interview with Kate Walsh 02 Aug 2019
In this interview, we talk to Kate Walsh, Project Manager of Student Voice Australia, a one-year pilot initiative involving ten Australian institutions who have been exploring student engagement in institutional decision-making and governance. Prior to taking up this role she worked… Read More
sparqs' 2019-20 Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 02 Aug 2019
Bookings are now open for sparqs Course Rep Training during 2019-20 ....for delivery from week beginning Monday 16th September 2019 onwards. All the information you need is on our main CRT webpage. Please read the booking guidance before arranging your sessions and requesting dates. We have a range of Course… Read More
Welcome to our 2019-20 Associate Trainers... and other team news! 02 Aug 2019
We are delighted to announce the appointment of an excellent team of student Associate Trainers for the coming academic year. The new team, including a returner from last year, will begin delivering Course Rep Training from week beginning 16th September… Read More
That's Quality! Colleges 2019 is now open for bookings! 28 Jun 2019
We are pleased to announce that our annual training event, That’s Quality! Colleges 2019 is now open for registrations! The two-day residential event is taking place on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th of August at West Park Conference Centre in Dundee. The event is for student… Read More
Young Leaders of Learning 28 Jun 2019
“Because kids know what school should be like for kids” ~ p6 pupil. sparqs is delighted to be working with Education Scotland on the Young Inspectors Programme (termed Young Leaders of Learning thanks to pupils’ recommendations!). The programme enables pupils to… Read More
