2. Rationale? diverse student population preference for support style/approach varies across cohort retention activities must be varied and diverse rather than "one strategy suits all" provides the "plug in the bath" to prevent unnecessary loss of students

3. Strategy? to address retention issues at level 3 across SMS (at risk group) to provide strategies for academic and pastoral support to make these applicable to student needs and preferences across level 3

4. Level 3 in SMS: significant non-continuation rate as high as 13% in past reports of stress-related illness stress mature student articulating student home student

5. Why level 3? - change in exam style - essays replace MCQ - increased expectation - emphasis on understanding - increased workload - increased volume and difficulty of course work - increased pressure - grades actually important now

6. Action: 2010 - Level 3 retention co-ordinator 2011 - Level 3 and 4 retention co-ordinator Aim? "plug the bath"

7. What strategies to HELP??!!

8. Level 3 "meet and greet“ informal meeting with new level 3 students outline challenges of level 3 details of support and opportunities informal discussion between staff and students Starts level 3 off in a positive, interactive way and creates a sense of belonging

9. Student drop-in session every Wednesday afternoon around 300 attendees in 1st term HUGE variety of issues

10. Level 3 and 4-specific VLE sites: provision of tailored support hints and tips sections access to support services information advertises opportunities discussion boards

13. Staff questionnaires Surveyed staff asking: How did you deal with challenges in 3 rd and 4 th year? Collated into master document Condensed into top 10 tips for level 3 or level 4 Published on VLE

17. Summary: Flexible & informal methods are designed to lessen the stress associated with level 3 and 4 & provide support, advice & guidance where required Holistic approach designed to provide face-to-face, remote & written/resource-based help at a key time in the UG degree

18. The future? Roll out across the Institution….”many plugs for many baths”

19. Automation……. Piloting Blackboard Retention Centre …….. Identifies at risk groups through a variety of criteria