Academic personal tutoring development opportunities

• 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. 

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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. 

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 

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 

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