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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

July 2025

8 & 9 July – Connect, Coach, Engage: A Grit workshop on new ways of building productive relationships with students.

  • 8 & 9 July 2025, 10am – 4pm, On Campus

Connect, Coach, Engage: A 2-day Grit workshop on new ways of building productive relationships with students.

“I found the open discussion format really useful in getting a different perspective on discussions and challenges I am facing.”

  • Reflect on how you operate with students.
  • Explore how to develop or grow a relationship-based approach with students to engage on a broader and deeper level.
  • Build confidence, tools and techniques to deal with more than just the immediate and academic.

Next Steps

Find out more about Grit and how they work with universities.

Any questions? Please get in touch – emma@grit.org.uk / 07867 454 257

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:

As part of our enhanced membership, University of Leeds APTs also have access to the following modules:

Other OD&PL development opportunities

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 1

APT 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 2

 APT 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 3

Watch all episodes of the APT Bitesize video series as a playlist, or explore individual episodes using the links in the sections above