Student Retention and Success Practitioner Online Meeting

After a warm welcome from Michael Hill, the meeting began with three colleagues sharing their tutoring system. The group heard first from Jasmine Cooper, Tutoring Co-ordinator at Brunel University who firstly highlighted some of the issues that needed to be considered before they set up the system and the student’s views on what would improve the quality of the teaching and learning experience. JC then set out their principles for tutoring, what a tutor does, the programme of activities, pastoral care and record keeping. We then heard from Luke Howson, Head of Student Services and Lynda Kinne, Programme Manager for Fashion at Morley College London who presented to the group focusing on their tutoring structure in Fashion where Lynda firstly gave an overview of how they conduct their student support, examples of their academic and pastoral tutorials, challenges and benefits. Luke then highlighted what they do at student services such as counselling services, wellbeing sessions, student social workers and financial support. 

After a short comfort break, we then heard from Julien Boast, Access, Participation and Student Success Manager at SOAS who presented to the group giving an overview of academic advising at SOAS including the role of an academic advisor, the structure of meetings, referrals, effective practise and challenges. The group then had a chance to ask any questions to the speakers and have a general discussion. Discussion was around how tutors keep records of their meetings, tutor boundaries and building student relationships. 

Following this, partners were able express any interest in topics for future meetings, the discussion included students’ wellbeing, mentoring and facilitating interaction between students to combat isolation. 

The next Student Retention and Success meeting will be on Thursday 16th June, 2-4:30pm. 

Presentations, recording and meeting note 

To view the presentations, recording and meeting note from the day please click here. This link will take you to the new Linking London Partner Area SharePoint site. You must be a Linking London member to access this section of the website. If you do not have access, please email info@linkinglondon.ac.uk.