Capturing the Student Voice Listening to Learners A whole college approach to gather student feedback

Who are we?

What do we do? Enroll around 17,000 students Deliver an extensive range of Vocational programme FE from SCQF levels 1-6 HE from SCQF levels 7-9 Successful IDP with Stirling, Heriot Watt and Strathclyde university

Collecting the student voice. Partnership with SA Class rep training Listening to Learners Student satisfaction and enhancement survey

How do we use it? Team Evaluation Programme review EREP

But……. Did we engage with all our student cohort? Lower level groups Apprentices

How successful were we? Tiny steps

Who ya gonna call? sparqs

The Apprentice Learning Experience Introduce this by asking the whole group to come up with ideas about they understand by all of the headings on the SLE – Curriculum, Learning Resources, Learning and Teaching Process etc. Progression and achievement

Apprentice Learning Experience Curriculum This describes the content of the taught section of the apprenticeship and how that is structured. Are the learning objectives clearly stated and being followed? Does the curriculum being taught match your expectations from the information provided about the apprenticeship? Can you see how the taught part of your course relates to the reality of the workplace? Apprentice Learning Experience

Apprentice Learning Experience Guidance and Support How much support are you receiving with the academic aspect of your apprenticeship? If you are struggling, where do you go for advice? Are you given clear guidance on what is expected of you as an apprentice? Do you have identified guidance for the taught part of your apprenticeship? Is it made clear to you within college and employer settings where to get support on a range of issues? Is it made clear to you which policies apply to you as a student and you as an employee? Are you aware of the avenues of support that relate to your student experience and your employee experience, e.g. student support, HR policy and Trade Unions? Apprentice Learning Experience

Quality Enhancement and Assurance Do you feel that staff and the training providers are receptive to apprentice concerns and suggestions? Do you feel that you and your fellow apprentices’ opinions are listened to? What improvements have been made to your apprenticeship during your time of learning? Are you confident issues raised with the college are passed to the employer and vice versa? Apprentice Learning Experience

But are we learners? 2 – fold All apprentices – the apprentice learning experience – you have a voice Apprentice reps

Who is an apprentice? Learner/employee Whole group/one in a group Block release/Weekly attendance Throughout the year/point in the year Foundation/modern/degree Mature, young, black, care experienced……..

Other Considerations Induction Apprentice Reps Apprentice Forums Students Association National Society of Apprentices Data/feedback PIs - shared priorities

Where do they need to influence Classroom/ workplace College/ Employer Nationally

National Society Apprentices What apprentices tell us - We’re excited about our opportunities. We don’t always learn things that are relevant for our jobs. Sometimes our boss has to re-teach us things when we get back to work. We have never heard of the students’ association.

National Society Apprentices What apprentices tell us Our class rep meetings happen when we’re at work. We get to use newer technology at work than we do at college. We’d like to get paid more. Travel is expensive between home, college and work.

Next steps……. More focussed engagement