Academic personal tutoring development opportunities

• Wednesday 25 September 2024, 10-11am (hybrid session)

Are you an academic personal tutor (APT)? This session is designed for all APTs to give you space at the start of the new academic year to consider your role as an APT and how to make positive connections with your tutees, supporting and empowering them to thrive.

In the session, we will consider a range of topics, including: the impact of APT relationships, boundaries, proactivity and signposting, belonging, inclusivity and mattering in APT and support for tutors and tutees.

Attendees will reflect on their current practice (or their expectations of APT practice if new to the role) to plan for the year ahead and develop more connected and fulfilling APT relationships.

This is a hybrid session, held on campus and online via MS Teams.

• Monday 14 October 2024, 09.30-16:00

This session will be run by Student Support.

Menopause is a natural part of life and should not be taboo or hidden, but it can be a challenging time. The right support can significantly improve experiences for individuals both within and outside the university. The University recognises that menopause can occur at various ages and that some people experiencing menopause do not identify as women. We aim to support everyone, regardless of gender identity. This interactive workshop will help APTs and Student Support staff provide better support through the menopausal transition. Learning Outcomes for this session are:

• List signs and symptoms of menopause
• Describe the impact of menopausal symptoms on quality of life—both personal and academic
• Discuss available help and support at the University

To find out more details and to book visit Student support upcoming training and events.

• Thursday 17 October 2024, 9.30-11:30 (On campus)

This face-to-face workshop for Academic Personal Tutors (APTs) and Doctoral Supervisors explores a range of topics related to supporting students or postgraduate researchers (PGR) in distress, mental health disclosures and other potentially challenging situations.

The course covers what is expected from you in your role when supporting students, and what to do in the event of a serious mental health disclosure from a student or PGR.  It outlines the support networks available to complement your expertise and during the session we will hear from the professionals that form that support, about what they do and how they can help.

The session aims to support you to:  

• state your role in supporting students in distress at the University 
• know about and be confident in using the essential pathways for support 
• reduce the emotional toil of challenging situations 

• Monday 4 November 2024, 9am-1pm (On campus)

This interactive workshop, run by the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) aims to deepen your understanding of mature undergraduate students at the University of Leeds. It’s designed for all staff, including academics, support staff, and professional services. The session provides an excellent overview of the challenges faced by mature students and the support available to them.

I am new to the University, and the course provided me with an excellent overview of the challenges faced by mature students and the services and support available. Very informative and thought-provoking session. Really engaging, passionate, and interesting training providers.

Key Outcomes for the session are:

• Explore the unique needs and motivations of mature students compared to traditional school leavers.
• Gain insights into the success rates and continuation data of mature students.
• Hear directly from mature students about their experiences.
• Reflect on the challenges mature students face and reconsider any preconceptions.
• Consider ways to further develop inclusive teaching and support strategies.

To find out more details and to book visit Student support upcoming training and events.

• Friday 8 November 2024, 10-11.30am (Hybrid session)

Sign up to explore some of the barriers for international students at UG and PG level, such as how to communicate with you and ask for help. We will share feedback from research with international students on what makes an effective APT, alongside recommendations and resources to support you in your role.

A key part of the session will involve attendees reflecting on the barriers and how to address them through shared best practice.

Please note, this one-hour session is followed by an additional 30 minutes for questions and further discussion.

This is a hybrid session, held on campus and online via MS Teams.

• Monday 11 November 2024,  9.30am-4.30pm (On campus)

This in-person session covers the key skills, knowledge and understanding of campus-based referral pathways for supporting students who are in distress or crisis. It will include a range of case studies that can be applied to situations experienced, discussions on how to have initial conversations with students who are distressed, alongside the importance of boundaries and self care.

The training is open to any colleague who could be involved in supporting students, whether this is through a formal part of their role or an informal route such as lab technicians or library colleagues.

Please note that due to the size of the training room we cap bookings at 20 people per session. If your chosen date is full you will receive an email to let you know, along with an option to book for a future session.

• Thursday 14 November 2024, 9.30am-4.30pm (On campus)

 This session, run by Student Support colleagues, will be of use to any Student Support-related colleague who is involved with implementing, or advising on, the mitigating circumstances process – whether you’re  a Student Support Officer or Manager, Academic Personal Tutor, SALIP, or member of School/Faculty Special Cases Committee.

 The training will cover the Student Support elements of this process, including application and interpretation of guidance; student-centred decision-making; disability and mit circs; and related support and processes. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and share practice, and learn from colleagues who work with this process in their respective areas.

Visit the Student Support SharePoint for further details, and to book a place.

• Wednesday 20 November 2024, 2.15-3.45pm (Online)

In this session, we’ll focus on how we can use APT relationships to foster greater equity and inclusion at the University of Leeds. We will draw on the UKAT tips for advancing equity in personal tutoring as well as existing work going on across the university. There will be space to discuss and reflect on what equity in APT means and how we can make the provision of APT more equitable for all students.

• Thursday 21 November 2024, 09.30am - 4.30pm (On campus)

This in-person training is designed to engage staff at the University of Leeds who support students.

The training includes sessions on how you can provide impactful holistic support, understand the barriers students face when accessing the support, identify the differences between customer care and customer service and how you can deal with conflict, complaints and challenging conversations. It also includes a Global English session from the International Student Office.

Monday 2 December 2024, 2-3pm (Online session)

In this session you will explore how the Plus Programme can work in tandem with your role as an APT. You’ll learn: 

• What the Plus Programme offers students.
• Who has access to the programme (including which of your tutees) and how you can refer students on to the programme.
• Insights in the Widening Participation experience at Leeds and how this can impact the APT/Tutee relationship.

The first half of the session will provide an overview of the programme, whilst the second half will give you a chance to ask any questions and for further discussion. The Plus Programme is a sector-leading scheme, supporting the success of Widening Participation students during their time at Leeds.

Based in the Student Success Unit (Educational Engagement), the Plus Programme is open to around 5,500 undergraduate and postgraduate taught students from a variety of under-represented backgrounds. It provides a holistic offer to its members so that they can utilise it to remove barriers across whichever area of the student experience they are encountering at that time. 

The Plus Programme SharePoint site provides further information about the programme.

• Wednesday 22 January 2025, 1pm - 4.30pm

This interactive workshop, run by the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) aims to deepen your understanding of mature undergraduate students at the University of Leeds. It’s designed for all staff, including academics, support staff, and professional services. The session provides an excellent overview of the challenges faced by mature students and the support available to them.

I am new to the University, and the course provided me with an excellent overview of the challenges faced by mature students and the services and support available. Very informative and thought-provoking session. Really engaging, passionate, and interesting training providers.

Key Outcomes for the session are:

• Explore the unique needs and motivations of mature students compared to traditional school leavers.
• Gain insights into the success rates and continuation data of mature students.
• Hear directly from mature students about their experiences.
• Reflect on the challenges mature students face and reconsider any preconceptions.
• Consider ways to further develop inclusive teaching and support strategies.

To find out more details and to book visit Student support upcoming training and events.

• Thursday 30 January 2025, 10-11.30am (hybrid session)

Are you an academic personal tutor (APT)? This session is designed for all APTs to give you space at the start year to consider your role as an APT and how to make positive connections with your tutees, supporting and empowering them to thrive. In the session, we will consider a range of topics, including: the impact of APT relationships, boundaries, proactivity and signposting, belonging, inclusivity and mattering in APT and support for tutors and tutees.

Attendees will reflect on their current practice (or their expectations of APT practice if new to the role) to plan for the year ahead and develop more connected and fulfilling APT relationships.

This is a hybrid session, held on campus and online via MS Teams.

• Wednesday 5 February 2025, 9.30am-4pm (On campus)

This session will be run by Student Support.

Menopause is a natural part of life and should not be taboo or hidden, but it can be a challenging time. The right support can significantly improve experiences for individuals both within and outside the university. The University recognises that menopause can occur at various ages and that some people experiencing menopause do not identify as women. We aim to support everyone, regardless of gender identity. This interactive workshop will help APTs and Student Support staff provide better support through the menopausal transition. Learning Outcomes for this session are:

• List signs and symptoms of menopause
• Describe the impact of menopausal symptoms on quality of life—both personal and academic
• Discuss available help and support at the University

To find out more details and to book visit Student support upcoming training and events.

• Thursday 6 February 2025, 09:30-16:30 (On campus)

This in-person training is designed to engage staff at the University of Leeds who support students.

The training includes sessions on how you can provide impactful holistic support, understand the barriers students face when accessing the support, identify the differences between customer care and customer service and how you can deal with conflict, complaints and challenging conversations. It also includes a Global English session from the International Student Office.

• Monday 17 February 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (On campus)

To register your place please complete this booking form.

This in-person session covers the key skills, knowledge and understanding of campus-based referral pathways for supporting students who are in distress or crisis. It will include a range of case studies that can be applied to situations experienced, discussions on how to have initial conversations with students who are distressed, alongside the importance of boundaries and self care.

The training is open to any colleague who could be involved in supporting students, whether this is through a formal part of their role or an informal route such as lab technicians or library colleagues.

Please note that due to the size of the training room we cap bookings at 20 people per session. If your chosen date is full you will receive an email to let you know, along with an option to book for a future session.

• Wednesday 19 February 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (On campus)

 The aim of this training session, run by Student Support colleagues, is to:

• Increase confidence in supporting and understanding referral pathways for a bereaved student.
• Insight into how bereavement can impact a student’s university experience.
• Understanding of developing compassionate communications when supporting students.
• Provide information on the Student Death Protocol and how if supports staff.

 Visit the Student Support SharePoint for further details, and to book a place.

• Thursday, 6 March, 10:00 - 11:30

Join us to explore the role of the APT in supporting students facing accent bias. Accent bias can lead to disadvantages in several aspects of life, including students’ day-to-day life at university.

In this hybrid session we will focus on how we can use APT relationships to support students experiencing accent-based disadvantages that may affect their participation in class, confidence, sense of belonging, and wellbeing. There will be time to reflect on our own practices as APTs and share good practice with colleagues.

• Thursday 20 March, 10:30 - 11:30

Active listening can play a key and positive role in our relationships with others. When we fail to listen, we risk a lack of trust, empathy and insight; all crucial in an effective student – tutor relationship.

In this workshop, participants will learn how active listening can enhance their academic personal tutoring practice. Together we will refine our active listening skills through a series of practical, reflective activities, with a focus on the common issues that impede our ability to listen and how we can improve our skills in this area. We will also consider how listening feels from different perspectives and what kinds of behaviours we expect from a listener based on our personal experiences.

This practical session will provide participants with an opportunity for deep reflection, thinking time and discussion with others, all precious commodities in our otherwise hectic schedules.

• Monday 7 April 09:30-16:00

This session will be run by Student Support.

Menopause is a natural part of life and should not be taboo or hidden, but it can be a challenging time. The right support can significantly improve experiences for individuals both within and outside the university. The University recognises that menopause can occur at various ages and that some people experiencing menopause do not identify as women. We aim to support everyone, regardless of gender identity. This interactive workshop will help APTs and Student Support staff provide better support through the menopausal transition. Learning Outcomes for this session are:

• List signs and symptoms of menopause
• Describe the impact of menopausal symptoms on quality of life—both personal and academic
• Discuss available help and support at the University

To find out more details and to book visit Student support upcoming training and events.

• Wednesday 28 April 2025, 9.30am-4.30pm (On campus)

 The aim of this training session, run by Student Support colleagues, is to:

• Increase confidence in supporting and understanding referral pathways for a bereaved student.
• Insight into how bereavement can impact a student’s university experience.
• Understanding of developing compassionate communications when supporting students.
• Provide information on the Student Death Protocol and how if supports staff.

 Visit the Student Support SharePoint for further details, and to book a place.