ANNUAL REPORT ON CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND ENHANCEMENT
THROUGH COURSE JOURNALS
Dissemination of Good Practice
Section
Faculty
Good practice identified
Assessment
FA
Animation students submitted all work via blogs
following advice of Skillset Advisor. Initial feedback is
that students have valued this approach.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Assessment
FA
Assessments are linked to live briefs and real word
projects, such as ‘Design for our future selves’ in
Interior and Product Design, supported by a series of
additional lectures and workshops on 'Inclusivity'. The
students were aided on the project by staff with
support from equipment on loan from the
Wolverhampton Living Services.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Assessment
FA
A further example was a live project with Spencer
Swinden a specialist Interior Design company
specialising in the design of hospitality environments. A
Faculty wide mechanism for capturing data on industry
engagement will be developed in 15/16 (The PL
Employability was on sabbatical during Semester 2
14/15 and so some of these
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Assessment
FA
New cross subject moderation with clear mechanisms
has been introduced in some subject areas
(Broadcasting and Journalism, Music).
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Assessment
FSE
“Most modules have excellent pass rates, many higher
than last year. Those with low pass rates in previous
years now have higher pass rates as result of module
action plans. Cohort analysis on modules can now be
analysed for the first time using e:Vision data. This has
been introduced into the Chair's Course Committee
report and can be reviewed at future examination
boards” Biology Chemistry and Forensic Science.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Course
Management
FA
The introduction of a base room for Video and Film
production (MK510) brings it in line with other cognate
subjects (animation and computer games design) and
has added to the learning experience.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Course
Management
FEHW
The creation of an action plan for Foundation Degrees
across the Institute of Education that is linked to
enhancement and consistency in course management
is good practice
Page 1 of 10
Share with
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Course
Management
FOSS
Course leaders sharing timely emails or messages
distributed on course Wolf topics.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
The Social Policy course team produce a newsletter
each term detailing useful information and research
activity.
PG Course Leaders offering additional opportunities for
students to meet with them through allocated
timeslots or online (MA Management, MBA ft, MA
HRM ft, MSc Innovation & Entrepreneurship, MSc
Banking and Finance, MA HRM ft).
Course
Management
FSE
“Appointment of PL Quality with responsibility for
oversight of Course Journals has provided useful steer
for this new method of course reporting. PL will
provide support for CJ writers. Faculty now runs drop-in
advice sessions for CJ writers” Biosciences.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Curriculum
Delivery and
Development
FA
A number of areas made use of minor modifications to
improve student experience. In Performing Arts
significant changes to the existing courses were made
as a result of the Periodic Review, including innovative
delivery such as block delivery of production modules
in Drama, yearlong 40 credit modules in Music, and the
introduction of subject specific modules to replace
generic school-wide modules.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Curriculum
Delivery and
Development
FOSS
Professors presenting Master Classes (HR courses)
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Curriculum
Delivery and
Development
FOSS
Use of ‘live’ case studies e.g. 7MK007
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Curriculum
Delivery and
Development
FOSS
Specific staff and student training for UG dissertations
was delivered by UoW Dissertation Co-ordinator at
ERCi, BCAS, SHRM and APSSB. Partner staff feedback
was very positive.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Employability
FA
Opportunities were developed for students to work
with professional companies and organisations
including Rosie Kay Dance Co.; the Birmingham Rep;
Musical Theatre West Midlands; New Designers;
Hatfield House (Art in Clay); The International Ceramics
Festival, Aberystwyth. In addition a number of our
partner colleges have particularly strong professional
links.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Page 2 of 10
Employability
FA
Fine Art ran a ‘Marathon’ event. Students were invited
to spend the whole week in the studio 9am- 7pm
working alongside the teaching team who were leading
through an exemplar model by making work in the
studio. This produced some excellent feedback from
students and the model will be disseminated
throughout the School in 2015/16 through the
‘Creative Fridays’ initiative.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FA
A variety of field trips were undertaken to museums,
including the British Museum, the Granada TV studios,
a concert tour of Italy for Musical Theatre, a Fine Art
visit to Berlin and an Interior/Product Design visit to
Dutch Design Week.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FA
Employability awards have been written into the
curriculum in a majority of subject areas. For example,
in the Wolverhampton School of Art in Fashion and
Textiles out of 40 students 36 achieved The Gold award
and 4 achieved silver. In Fine Art all Level 6 were
eligible for the Silver Employability Award. In Interior
Design, 27 Level 6 Final Year students were awarded
the Employability Silver Award.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FA
A number of students won external prizes and awards,
including the Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2014,
the New Art West Midlands competition, 1st prize in
the British Art Medal Society student bronze medal
project.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FEHW
Employability champions are being identified within
each institute and will have work loaded hours to
support this role.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FEHW
Within education, module 5ED004 continues to be a
very successful module providing placement
opportunity for students in education settings, and is
accessed by over 200 students across a number of
courses. The module is tied in with the University’s
employability strategy and consistently evaluates well
by students. Organisation and management of the
module is labour intensive to ensure students have an
appropriate placement and there is compliance with
health and safety and safeguarding checks, which has
been supported by the faculty External Partnerships
unit.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Page 3 of 10
Employability
FEHW
The Faculty invested in a pilot ‘Complementary Studies
week’ to enhance employability and professional
development in the Institute of Sport. The project
involves collaboration with 20 external organisations
offering 50 workshops and accredited qualifications to
sports students. The Faculty has been able to bring in a
number of accredited courses at reduced cost and
where necessary, FEHW subsidised the fees to support
students (total investment £5,000). Accredited courses
include e.g. National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, Level
2 Gym Instructor Qualification and Sports
Structures/Sports Coach UK Safeguarding Children
course. For some specified courses, students also made
a financial contribution. Evaluation of the project
confirmed that the Complementary Studies Week
programme was well received and the opportunity to
attend training that students otherwise had difficulty
accessing was particularly valued. It is planned to roll
this out more widely to other non-professional
programmes in the faculty.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FOSS
Some examples:
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
USA Summer camp visited Walsall campus to offer
summer jobs to students in 5 * American Resorts. This
was very popular with students on IHM and Tourism
Management. Event and Venuestudents also engaged.
Several students have sinced applied.
Employability
FOSS
The CLOCK project and other projects in law have also
been very successful this year.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FOSS
Armed Forces students were invited to attend an
induction with 4th Mercian in October.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FOSS
Following on from the IoD mentoring project in UWBS,
a Law School mentoring scheme is being set up.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FOSS
History students are working on a project with RAF
Cosford to help digitise and archive WW1 papers at the
museum.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FOSS
Launch of DWF Mentoring Scheme, CV workshop,
hosting Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society
Forum and Law Careers Fair (LPC)
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Employability
FOSS
Lexis Nexis certification opportunities for all LLM
students
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Page 4 of 10
Employability
FOSS
Employability
FSE
A number of PG course journals recorded modules that
provided guest speakers, “live” assessments and
projects – Boots Alliance, Swiss Re, Poundland, Serious
Games, Dudley Building Society, FBC Manby Bowdler,
Mills & Reeve, Senior Crown Prosecutor, Eversheds etc.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
“Students have found it useful to have full days in the
workshops in 4ET006: Engineering Practice”
Engineering.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
“Additional Club Activities help to increase students
understanding of the theories in lectures.” Engineering.
External
Examiners
FSE
Examiners have made numerous positive comments
regarding delivery of innovative and vibrant courses
which are which are assessed in a variety of ways to
ensure academic rigour is maintained. Some examples
are highlighted below
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
In "Forensic Science for Policing" the tutor has devised
a strategy to support students' preparation for
assessment that seems to be particularly effective. This
includes an exam advice leaflet and mid-module review
with tutor’s feedback which is I think an interesting
development to consider across other modules Biology
Chemistry and Forensic Science
Other
FA
Partners welcomed the visits from UoW staff (academic
and staff from Student Office and Partnership Unit)
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Other
FOSS
Staff from Hubei Engineering University visited UoW for
a three-week staff development programme.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Other
FOSS
Lessons Learnt Log developed for LLM at Mauritius
provides the foundation for ongoing enhancement.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT
Placement
Learning
FA
There are a significant number of school placements
available across the Faculty.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Placement
Learning
FEHW
Institute of Health Professions
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Placement
Learning
FEHW
Placement
FEHW
Academics on NMC approved programmes have 20% of
time to engage with practice to meet the requirements
of the regulatory body.
Institute of Psychology
A placement pathway has been developed with
Birmingham NHS Trust with the aim of leading to better
employment. This model may be developed for use in
other Trusts (Doctorate in Counselling Psychology)
Institute of Education
Page 5 of 10
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
FQEC / FSEC /
Learning
65 UG and PG trainees travelled to India with 2
academic staff for an international placement. This
was self-funded by trainees and is an enhancement to
current provision. Trainees have reported continued
high level of satisfaction for this placement and it has
had impact on their professional understanding of
teaching and learning. It should also be noted that
trainees who attended in the previous year and who
are now employed have requested a place on an
international visits. Schools within the partnership
have also expressed an interest (Primary ITE).
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Placement
Learning
FEHW
Centralised administration of placements has improved
the efficiency and professionalism of this element of
the programme (CAFS)
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
Placement
Learning
FOSS
Students on HND Hospitality and Events Management
at TCAT gave excellent feedback on their 100 hours
placement at Hotel School.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
WBPL Forum
PSRB
FOSS
BAAF- the work undertaken in inviting representatives
from PSRBs and employer organisations contributes to
the enhancement of student employability and is cited
as good practice.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT /
PSRBSC
PSRB
FOSS
Similarly the Law employability event was well
attended by students and legal firms.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT /
PSRBSC
Recruitment
FA
ArtsFest raised the profile of the arts across the
university, this was particularly noticed in Music.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Recruitment
FA
There was an increase in outreach activities in some
areas (English, Linguistics and Creative Writing),
including inviting applicants to experience a level 4
class. Students were also engaged in outreach activities
in some areas (Drama, Music)
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Page 6 of 10
Recruitment
FEHW
There are a range of good practices embedded in
recruitment activity across the faculty, which can be
attributed to achieving faculty targets. These include:






Pre-entry support for students (keeping
applicants warm)
Student Advisor engagement from pre-entry,
through induction, enrolment.
All Student Advisors are visible and accessible
via website, mobile, SAMS, Skype
Involvement of Service Users in Open Days
Involvement of current students in Open Days
A systematic approach to DBS and
Occupational Health clearances have been
orchestrated across the Faculty
In addition:




SUC involvement in selection is embedded in
social work, nursing and midwifery courses..
The midwifery model of values based
recruitment was identified as good practice by
Health Education West Midlands (HEWM).
There are future plans to develop an induction
booklet to ensure students complete all the
tasks required of them at the start of the
course (PCE)
Course cards have been developed to send to
partners and for use at open days (Childhood
Studies).
Road to Success days/sessions and nurturing events
prior to course commencement, in addition to nursing
and midwifery these have been rolled out for:
Institute of Health Profession








DipHE Paramedic Science and Physician Associate
Continuing Professional Development Courses
(Induction ‘drop in sessions’)
Social Work/Social Care/Health Studies/Public
Health – joint nurturing event
LEAP
ITT (UG and PG)
Childhood and Family Studies
Education Studies and Special Needs and Inclusion
and Post compulsory Education
All sports courses are included in nurturing event.
All psychology courses included in one nurturing event
Page 7 of 10
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Recruitment
FSE
Scifest continues to attract large numbers of school
pupils, attending a variety of sessions run over one
week and is now an established regional event
promoting STEM subjects. Primary, GSCE and A level
students experience hands on experimental classes in
STEM subjects. Feedback from the schools taking part
suggests that Scifest is an enjoyable, successful event.
Due to this success it has become an integral part of
the Faculty’s promotion and recruitment effort. This is
an effective and high profile way of promoting STEM
subjects offered by the University to a wide audience.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Retention,
achievement
and
progression
FA
The use of GTA’s to support students and improve staff
understanding of student concerns and issues.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Retention,
achievement
and
progression
FA
Peer-to-peer mentoring scheme developed and to be
piloted in Musical Theatre
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Retention,
achievement
and
progression
FEHW
The Faculty Retention and Attainment Project (RAP)
incorporates a number of themes including the
appointment of 5 subject attainment champions across
the Faculty who have developed the P2P peer
mentoring scheme and are working with 250 students
as part of a pilot. Student advisors are now more
mobile (with tablets) and visible (in pink t shirts), and
are providing 48 hours of monthly cross campus dropin support during peak times of student movement.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Retention,
achievement
and
progression
FEHW
Institute of Health Professions
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Implementation of peer to peer (P2P) mentoring
scheme in nursing by the attainment champion for the
IoHP
Page 8 of 10
Retention,
achievement
and
progression
FEHW
Retention,
achievement
and
progression
FEHW
Small Group Teaching - Psychology
The focus of this initiative was to positively influence
the retention rates of students studying across the
portfolio of psychology undergraduate awards. It was
noted that from 2011/12 to 2013/ the progression
rates for undergraduate students had reduced from
between 83.3% to 88.4% to 69% to 85.7% The faculty
planned to introduce small group teaching as a way to
improve those progression rates. As a result small
group teaching was introduced for the academic year
2014-15 (4PS003: Research methods in Psychology Basic (SEM1); 4PS006: Research Methods in Psychology
– Intermediate; 4PS002: Historical and Contextual
Themes in Theoretical Psychology) with the particular
focus of on 4PS002. It was envisaged that small group
teaching would foster greater levels of group identity
and enhance the development of specific knowledge
and skills. The impact of the project cannot be
assessed until after the progression boards later in the
year.
Institute of Education
Primary ITE have introduced a range of intervention
strategies to improve attainment. Data from formative
assessment is interrogated and trainees are invited to
attend specific interventions. These have particular
impact for undergraduate trainees (male mature
students).
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Personal tutor cards have been used to highlight the
role of the personal tutor (Childhood studies)
Retention,
achievement
and
progression
FSE
“HND Club put in place for HND students to foster a
cohort identity. Additional study skills to be provided to
Biology HND students to enhance retention and
achievement.” Biology Chemistry and Forensic Science.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FA
Subjects that had concerns raised through NSS scores
or free text through actions plans, which were all RAG,
rated by DAG, and further developed where required.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FA
Drama was the first subject to reach the NSS publishing
threshold I the University. Completion delivered in one
session to encourage participation. NSS response rates
very good across the faculty due to the sharing of good
practice from those areas with good response rates in
previous years.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FEHW
There has been a good level of student participation
and engagement at the Faculty Student Councils,
which have been supported by staff from academic
subject areas and relevant central services.
Page 9 of 10
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Institute of Education
As well as ongoing Student staff meetings (3 a year) the
PCE area also have online feedback mid course/ end of
year. At the end of the year course reps are invited for
a more intense examination of how improvements can
be made to the course. Last year this involved a task
sheet being used as well as setting up an admin
webfolio for the whole PGCE cohort. This is a positive
example of you said…we did and we intend to publicise
this approach much more in the forthcoming year
(PCE).
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FOSS
Good feedback on UWBS induction particularly in
relation to Wolves Den and the Unismart presentation.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FOSS
PG Diploma HRDOC conducted a live feedback and
report session, which students were positive about.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FOSS
Good feedback on PG visits to Stock Exchange,
Wembley Stadium and various companies.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FSE
“Formula Renault extra curriculum activity and Aston
Martin lecture appreciated and students request more
of these activities” Engineering.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Student
feedback and
evaluation
FSE
“Short document for students produced entitled "What
is Feedback? And when should I get it?" Aim to address
misunderstandings by students about what constitutes
feedback and improve NSS score. Given to all final year
students, with explanatory talk by Head of School. Aim
to roll out to all students on course.” Biology Chemistry
and Forensic Science.
FQEC / FSEC /
USEC / CoLT/
Partnership and Collaborative issues and good practice have been provided separately to PCSC.
Rachel Ford
October 2015
Page 10 of 10