Enhancing Learning and Teaching The Rose Bruford College Learning and Teaching Strategy

1. Educational mission and principles The Strategic Plan states that: “The mission of Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance is to contribute to and shape the theatre and performance arts and industries through education, training, research and industry engagement. Placing students at the centre of our work, the College aims to provide the highest quality undergraduate and post-graduate degree-level and professional education and training in all aspects of theatre and performance. We equip graduates with the attitudes, skills and knowledge to become leaders in their field, shaping the future of the theatre, entertainment and allied arts and industries”.

This Learning and Teaching Strategy supplements the Strategic Plan and outlines the steps the College will make over the next three years to fulfil the college’s educational mission underpinned by the following principles: a student centred approach with students as collaborators in their learning; (Strategic Plan 3.3) support for students and staff in their ambitions and aspirations to be independent learners and professional teachers (Strategic Plan 1) encouraging creative engagement in learning and teaching; (Strategic Plan 2.1a, 2.1b) creating a learning environment that fosters independence as well as collaboration and professionalism; (Strategic Plan 1.3, 2.1b) programmes of study that balance academic rigour with vocational training, professionalism and employability; (Strategic Plan 1.3) encouraging critical independent thinking supported by effective feedback, guidance and advice; (Strategic Plan 2.1c) professional practice as research which feeds into teaching and curriculum development; (Strategic Plan1.1b 4.1.c) internationalism and diversity of community within and across all our programmes; (Strategic Plan 2.2b) inspiring life-long learning and development through and beyond the students’ programmes of study; (Strategic Plan 2.1c )

Our Seven Enhancement Themes How we will support and engage our students How we will improve assessment and feedback How we will use technology to enhance learning How we will develop our curriculum to enhance professional engagement and employability How we will embed scholarship and applied research in the curriculum How we will develop internationalism How we will support staff development in learning and teaching

Theme 1: How we will support and engage our students We aim to ensure that the programmes of study and the learning environment encompass and reflect the diversity of applicants, students, staff and society. We will: enhance our student induction programmes that enable students to make the most of their academic life and learning opportunities; ensure that each student has ready access to academic and personal tutorial support and a range of appropriate study support; develop a range of study support resources that better meet the needs of our diverse student community; review and enhance our support for international students; reflect on and review learning and teaching policy and practice within the College in relation to supporting diversity, promoting inclusive learning and teaching, thereby contributing to improvements in levels of student retention and success; develop a student engagement framework with students as partners in learning, teaching and curriculum development, and their own learning.

Theme 2: How we will improve assessment and feedback We aim to ensure that assessment tasks are designed to allow students to demonstrate their achievements and are clearly linked to the programmes’ learning outcomes. Feedback to students will be timely and will inform and assist their future learning. We will review all assessment briefs to ensure alignment between assessment tasks and learning outcomes; standardise assessment briefs to ensure clarity for students; maximise VLE use where appropriate for online submission and return of work to speed up return of feedback; ensure turnaround of work and feedback within 20 working days; review use of numerical grading as an effective form of feedback; review and clarify grading descriptors; institute annual monitoring of assessment and feedback and review the Assessment Policy and Procedures; enhance assessment and student feedback practices by the interrogation of issues in the annual Assessment Parity event.

Theme 3: How we will use technology to enhance learning We aim to provide a high quality learning environment including the provision of and support for new technologies as both learning and professional development tools. We will: embed core digital literacy in all programmes using and critically evaluating digital resources as part of research, and presenting material in digital forms; maximise use of the Virtual Learning Environment where appropriate, and provide students with learning resources (in a variety of formats) which are effective and engaging and which encourage the pursuit of independent learning; implement an appropriate plagiarism detection platform available to staff and students; establish an appropriate digital platform and workflow for productions (from design > budgeting > build > rehearsal > performance > post-production) based on a review of professional practices, and how we expect them to develop in the future; keep up with professional practices involving new technologies; encourage innovation in learning and teaching methodologies of our online programmes and develop and enhance the online and blended learning provision for all degree programmes.

Theme 4: How we will develop our curriculum to enhance professional engagement and employability We aim to continually develop and lead our sector through education and training that is industry focused offering our graduates the best possible preparation for successful and satisfying careers as innovative and enterprising practitioners. We will: ensure that effective systems and resources are in place to support workplace learning in its diverse forms and contexts; ensure there are mechanisms for staff to engage with the industry so as to ensure the currency and relevance of the curriculum; develop a better alignment between production and project work within the curriculum and employment opportunities for graduates (e.g. developing more non-theatre projects such as music concerts, events, lens-based media); review and implement enhanced personal and career development planning; improve student employability through enhanced career guidance and by showcasing their work to industry professionals; strengthen our bonds to specific theatres, TV and radio stations, theatre companies, agencies and directors both nationally and internationally; enhance the Key Practitioner Scheme.

Theme 5: How we will embed scholarship and applied research in the curriculum We aim to develop students as enquiring practitioners and to provide academic staff with the resources to continually develop a close understanding of current scholarship and professional practice in their subjects We will: develop further a ‘research orientation’ in the curriculum – a spirit of enquiry and further develop the practice-based option for the Level 6 independent research project; further develop and enhance research skills at Levels 4 and 5; embed staff research into learning and teaching and on all programmes to ensure recruitment and retention of high quality staff and students; identify research potential and interest through staff personal development review; encourage and support staff to sustain and frame their practice and to begin to write about their work; support staff in subject research and that underpins the curriculum; encourage and support staff in attaining higher degrees and doctoral qualifications.

Theme 6: How we will develop internationalism and diversity We aim to collaborate with external partners nationally and internationally to create opportunities for students to learn in diverse professional and educational environments. We will: ensure students’ opportunities to study abroad are maximised on programmes, and students have clear information and guidance; promote the opportunity for international students (including EU) to study on all programmes (Erasmus, US exchange, etc.), within the College’s capacity to take additional numbers; ensure industry study elements of programmes (e.g. in shared modules) include an international perspective, so students understand the international context of the industry, and have some awareness of how international practices differ; develop existing professional input with leading practitioners from Europe, Asia and USA; attract international partners and students in order to ensure the quality of the provision, the resources and staff are of the highest level.

Theme 7: How we will support staff development in learning and teaching We aim to provide academic staff with the stimulation, support, mentoring and resources to continually develop as teachers ensuring that staff maintain a close understanding of emerging pedagogic developments. We will: develop and share good practice across the College by a series of relevant learning and teaching enhancement seminars at annual staff development events; develop and share good practice across the College by further development of the Peer Observation of Teaching Scheme focusing upon pertinent teaching enhancement themes; encourage all academic staff to develop their professional expertise by taking the College Postgraduate Certificate In Learning And Teaching In Higher Education: Theatre And Performing Arts and/or by being recognised by the Higher Education Academy via the College’s Professional Recognition Scheme for the Performing Arts (PReSPA) or through the HEA’s direct application route to fellowships; continue to develop appropriate e-resources such as the Learning and Teaching Online Research website for the dissemination of relevant staff research; review and implement new procedures for the appointment, induction and mentoring of new academic staff and those taking on new responsibilities; support visiting tutors and professionals through an identified institutional co-ordinator, & the visiting tutor e-handbook and develop new sections of the handbook in response to feedback.

Theme 1: How we will support and engage our students. MILESTONES NSS satisfaction rating for academic support is at least 86%. NSS satisfaction rating for academic support is at least 88%. NSS satisfaction rating for academic support is at least 90%. Individual NSS rating academic support questions up by 3% points on 2013 New academic induction programme introduced Academic induction programme reviewed and amended as necessary Review and enhancement of study support complete New study support resources available Study support resources developedReview of study support resources undertaken and completed Report of Student Working PartyIntroduce new student engagement framework Review of student engagement framework undertaken and completed Inauguration of Student Experience Committee

Theme 7: How we will support staff development in learning and teaching MILESTONES % of contracted teaching staff have HE Academy membership 80% of contracted teaching staff have HE Academy membership 90% of contracted teaching staff have HE Academy membership We have at least 3 Principal and 3 Senior Fellows of the HEA We have at least 4 Principal and 5 Senior Fellows of the HEA We have at least 5 Principal and 8 Senior Fellows of the HEA Review and develop revised Peer Observation of Teaching scheme Implement Peer Observation of Teaching scheme (75% take-up) Review Peer Observation of Teaching scheme (90% take-up) New arrangements for induction and mentoring of new academic staff and those taking on new responsibilities Review new arrangements for induction and mentoring of new academic staff and those taking on new responsibilities Full implementation of arrangements for induction and mentoring of new academic staff and those taking on new responsibilities Implementation of the new e- handbook for visiting tutors and professionals Review and amendment of e-handbook for visiting tutors and professionals AEM takes on responsibility for coordination visiting tutors and professionals VT and part-time staff development event implemented Review of visiting and professional staff arrangements