HE in FECs
Expert programme
Staff development materials
Title and type of material:
Scholarly Activity
Contributing institution:
West Herts College
Date:
March 2010
Brief description of materials:
Scholarly Activity programme and application form
Purpose:
To provide staff teaching on HE an opportunity to bid for time to undertake relevant
scholarly activity
Target audience:
HE teaching and front line support staff
Other materials that could be used alongside:
None
How has the material been used?
Issued to all HE staff involved in teaching and learning or front-line support. Two
applications have been received in the first year of operation, both of which have
been approved
How was it received?
Well received by staff; two applications received and approved
Suggestions about how to maximise its effectiveness
Be clear about the definition of scholarly activity being used, and ensure any such
undertaking is relevant to the applicant’s job role and will advance the college in
terms of knowledge and understanding. A system for dissemination is to be
developed, possibly through an annual scholarly research conference.
Benefit to the College
Increased knowledge base; enables teaching and front-line staff to remain current
and up to date in subject specific knowledge and understanding; acknowledges the
higher level skills and knowledge required to deliver at level 4 and above and values
staff operating at this level.
Any further comments:
This scholarly activity programme is the first step in developing an ethos and culture
of scholarly activity at the college. Further research will follow and it is expected that
the programme will be broadened to enable all staff to have access and benefit from
the programme as this develops.
The Scholarly Activity Programme
How to apply:
Staff teaching or supporting learning on HE programmes can bid for a maximum of 5 days per academic
year to undertake ‘scholarly activity’. This time may only be taken outside of teaching hours and should
be applied for via a staff development request form- the “Scholarly Activity Proposal form” (attached).
On the proposal form members of staff are required to submit a 500 word statement detailing how these
days would be used, how it would enhance their role in the college, and how they would disseminate the
knowledge and skills gained via such activities after completion. This then forms part of their
professional development record.
For the purposes of this scheme, ‘teaching on HE’ is defined as a teaching commitment at level 4 and
above for all or part of a member of staff’s timetable and may include part-time professional courses,
work-based learning and cost recovery programmes as well as HEFCE funded full and part-time HE
courses. ‘Supporting learning’ is defined in the widest sense and could include staff from a range of
business support areas of work.
Staff interested in bidding for days to undertake scholarly activity should contact the Training and
Development manager in HR for a ‘Scholarly Activity Proposal’ form (attached). This should be
completed and submitted to Human Resources at least 6 weeks before the proposed scholarly activity is to
be undertaken. The proposal form must be counter-signed by the applicant’s line manager before
submittal to Human Resources. A panel comprising the Director of HR, the Director of HE, and the HR
Learning and Development Officer will consider the proposal and inform the applicant of the decision
within 2 weeks, i.e. at least 4 weeks before the proposal activity is to take place.
Examples of Scholarly activities may include:
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Further study, either to extend range of knowledge and skills or to achieve a higher level qualification
Development of pedagogic skills
Undertaking unpaid consultancy work in subject area
Secondment to industry to maintain subject currency
Research at HE level including writing and presenting papers thereon
Other research activities that inform the role of the member of staff within the organisation
Routine subject knowledge updating
This is not intended to be a definitive list of scholarly activities and all bids will be considered on an
individual basis.
APPLICATION FOR Scholarly Activity
Proposal Form
PROCEDURE: This form should be:
1.
2.
3.
4.
completed by applicant
approved by appropriate line manager
sent to Human Resources 6 weeks before expected start date
The panel will view the proposal and within 2 weeks of its receipt, inform applicant of their decision
Please complete both sides of form
TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT
First name:
Payroll No:
Surname:
School/Dept.
Job title:
Campus:
IFL number:
Ext / Contact number:
Proposed scholarly activity title:
In less than 500 words please decribe the scholarly activity in full and the reasons you have chosen this. Please include
detail on how many days you are applying for and how these days will be used:
Please highlight the benefits this would have for you:
Please highlight the benefits this would have on the Learners:
Please highlight the benefits the activity would have on the College:
How would you transfer this knowledge to the rest of the College:
Location of activity:
Total number of days applied for:
Start date:
Start time:
Finish date:
End time:
Number of CPD Hours to log:
If you consider yourself to have a disability that requires us to make reasonable adjustments in order for you to participate
in this training, please call Training & Development on ext 2309.
Signed applicant:
Date:
APPROVAL BY LINE MANAGER
*(delete any that do not apply)
I approve this application, which meets corporate / local / personal* learning & development objectives
Tick to agree time off (if the proposal is accepted by the Panel)
Applicant given time off for training (not to be taken in teaching hours)
Signed line manager:
APPROVAL BY Panel (the Director
Print Name:
Date:
of HR, the Director of HE, and the HR Learning and Development
Officer)
Signed:
Print Name:
Date:
Entered onto Snowdrop:
Delegate informed of outcome
yes
no
yes
no