Academic personal tutoring development opportunities
This page provides an overview of the development opportunities which will be available to academic personal tutors (APT) throughout the academic year. Collaborating closely with our colleagues in Student Support, we have designed a core provision along with a wide range of optional sessions tailored for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year.
In addition to our upcoming events, we have a number of additional resources linked at the bottom of this page, including:
- APT Bitesize video series: Watch APT Bitesize, a series of short videos designed to support APTs to develop their practice by exploring approaches to APT, sharing experiences and offering practical advice. The series is presented by Dr Ruth Payne, an experienced APT, and one of the University’s Belonging Leads.
- UKAT Resources: Additionally, at the end of this webpage, you'll find a range of additional resources, including online courses and resources from UKAT, the United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring Association.
APT Teams Community: Join the Academic Personal Tutor (APT) Community on MS Teams. This peer-led space is for all APTs and other colleagues involved in or with an interest in academic personal tutoring. It is a way to be part of the APT community, engage with colleagues to share successes, ask questions of other APTs, discuss ideas or issues relating to the APT role and is a platform for sharing resources and ideas.
Calendar of Events
April 2025
3 April – Student perspectives on academic personal tutoring (APT)
- Thursday 3 April – 10.30am - 12 noon (Online)
Are you curious to learn more about student perspectives of academic personal tutoring (APT)?
This session will explore APT directly through the student lens, with a panel of students from a range of Schools and backgrounds. The students will reflect on their experiences of APT, what APT means to be them (bringing in their individual identities and lived experiences) as they respond to questions from Rachael O’Connor (University Academic Lead for APT) from attendees.
The session is designed to generate authentic and honest insight into APT at Leeds and be a valuable way to listen meaningfully to student voices and perspectives on APT.
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, you should be able to:
- Reflect on diverse experiences of and meaning around APT from the perspective of students
- Identify implications for your future practice and development
- Consider how you engage student voices within your own context to support your practice/that of colleagues and identify opportunities to develop this following the session.
The session will run for 1 hour, followed by an additional 30 minutes for questions and further discussion.
Book your place: Student perspectives on APT (Online)7 April – Supporting students through menopause
- 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.
28 April – Bereavement training
- 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.
May 2025
1 May – How do I support disabled students as an academic personal tutor (APT)?
- Thursday 1 May – 1.30pm-3.00pm (Online)
Join this session to consider ways of supporting disabled tutees positively and effectively.
Almost 9,000 students have shared with the University they are disabled. Disability Services supports students with a range of conditions including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism, mental health conditions, hearing loss, visual impairment, mobility issues and many others.
The session will consider a range of topics including:
- How to identify disabled tutees
- Reasonable adjustments
- Inclusive practices
- Signposting
We'll also cover how Disability Services works with staff and students and to help you feel more knowledgeable and confident in supporting disabled tutees.
The session will run for 1 hour, followed by an additional 30 minutes for questions and further discussion.
Book your place: How do I support disabled students as an APT? (Online)21 May – Supporting international students in summer through APT
- Wednesday 21 May – 1.30pm-3.00pm (Online and on campus)
Book now for this new hybrid session for academic personal tutors (APTs).
APT contact is important over the summer. When class contact finishes, students often come forward for help when they realise time is running out. This is particularly the case for PGT students who only have one year of study.
This session will explore:
- Resources and support (including barriers to accessing support) relating to well-being
- Managing the long planning time until dissertation/project submission
- Understanding results and resits
- Supporting students with financial pressures and references and employability post-study
- Supporting students who leave campus to finish projects at home with clear audit trails to comply with visa regulations
The session will run for 1 hour, followed by an additional 30 minutes for questions and further discussion.
Book your place: Supporting international students in summer through APT (Online) Book your place: Supporting international students in summer through APT (On campus)Additional provision and resources for APTs
Student Success Forum
The Student Success Forum provides a space to discuss strategic or operational changes that empower or enable colleagues to introduce discussion or changes to work practices in their respective areas. Visit the Student Success Forum SharePoint site to find out more and sign up to the Student Success mailing list to receive calendar invites.
Access and Success Insight Sessions
These sessions provide University staff with updates on Leeds' commitment to the Access and Student Success Strategy. Focusing on a different topic each month, sessions equip staff with practical information and provide a supportive environment for colleagues to meet and network with others from across the University. The Access and Success Insight Sessions are advertised about a month in advance. To sign-up for the sessions please email j.l.burgess@leeds.ac.uk.
Year-round welcome for students
Visit the Welcome 2024 webpage to access helpful links, resources, and creative assets here to help you welcome new students to Leeds.
Resources from United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring Association (UKAT)
Our membership with UKAT (UK Advising and Tutoring Association) grants all APTs at Leeds access to UKAT’s member-only resources. To access these resources, you just need to register as an affiliate member for free via the UKAT website. Below is a breakdown of courses that can be accessed with this membership:
- M101: What Is Personal Tutoring?
- M102: Setting Boundaries and Managing Expectations
- M103: Listening Effectively
- M104: Communicating Effectively with your Students
- M105: Self-care for Personal Tutors
As part of our enhanced membership, University of Leeds APTs also have access to the following modules:
- M202: Being Inclusive
- M214: Building Connections
- M215: Personal Tutoring and Narrowing Awarding Gaps
- M208: Our Students’ Stories
Other OD&PL development opportunities
- Explore all development opportunities from across OD&PL by visiting the Programme and Events Calendar (Staff Intranet) or the Training and Events Overview (A-Z) page.
- Read our monthly OD&PL development roundup articles on the Staff Intranet.
- Follow OD&PL on Bluesky and LinkedIn.
APT Bitesize video series
Welcome to APT Bitesize
APT Bitesize is a series of short, practical videos designed to support academic personal tutors (APTs) to develop their practice by exploring approaches to APT, sharing experiences and offering practical advice. The series is presented by Dr Ruth Payne, an experienced APT, and one of the University’s Belonging Leads. Through these concise and easy to digest episodes, you’ll gain valuable perspectives on creating meaningful connections, addressing student needs, and fostering a sense of belonging. Please note: Episode descriptions and links are available in the following section.
APT Bitesize episode 1: Belonging: the crucial role of personal tutoring
About this episode: In this episode, Dr Ruth Payne explores personal tutoring from a belonging perspective, recognising the vital role personal tutors play in the lives of students, helping them to feel that they are valued and belong.
Drawing on her expertise as an APT, APT Lead and one of the University Belonging Leads, Ruth shares practical strategies and advice for organising and approaching personal tutoring sessions, tailoring guidance to individual student needs, and enhancing their sense of belonging.
Topics covered in this episode:
- An introduction to the APT Bitesize series
- The importance of APT
- Role of APT Leads
- The tutoring model at Leeds and the importance of one-to-one sessions
- Clarification of what tutors are not
- How tutoring links to belonging
- Future topics in this series
- Contact information and useful links
Episode duration: 12 minutes 30 seconds
Watch APT Bitesize Episode 1APT Bitesize episode 2: Personal tutoring and new students
About this episode: This episode focuses on supporting new students through personal tutoring, acknowledging their worries and expectations they might have engaging with personal tutoring. Dr Ruth Payne provides guidance on how to accommodate them in their university experience, highlighting the benefits of both ‘group’ tutoring and a tailored, one-to-one approach. The episode also looks at how tutors can celebrate students’ achievements, while supporting them through difficult experiences.
Topics covered in this episode:
- APT and new students
- Your first conversation matters
- Welcome, Induction and Transition (WIT) resources and links
- Checking module enrolment
- Group tutoring and fostering peer relationships
- Addressing homesickness
- How to address staff
- Commuting time between sessions
- Reading lists
- Joining and leaving teaching sessions
- Assessment guidance
- Importance of keeping tutorial notes
- You matter, I see you – following up on absent tutees.
Episode duration: 18 minutes 36 seconds
Watch APT Bitesize Episode 2APT Bitesize episode 3: Personal tutoring and meaningful conversations
In this episode, Dr Ruth Payne highlights the power of meaningful conversations in personal tutoring, exploring how to build trust and engage actively with your tutees. Practical advice on scheduling and running sessions ensures you can align your methods with both your preferences and student needs.
Topics covered in this episode:
- Making tutorials worthwhile – framing around student goals
- Effective questions you might ask
- Attendance at tutorials
- Should you have MS Teams or in-person sessions?
- Realistic expectations for students
- Student’s scheduling preferences
- Where to find support and guidance for signposting
- Understanding the crisis pathway
Episode duration: Duration 9 minutes 37 seconds
Watch APT Bitesize Episode 3Watch all episodes of the APT Bitesize video series as a playlist, or explore individual episodes using the links in the sections above