• Working Group on Leadership Roles for Student Education

Chaired by Pro-Dean for Student Education

• Identify relevant roles• Refresh role descriptors• Consider required support & training• Consider associated recognition/reward/progression

DSE Forum DiscussionLeadership roles for student education

• Relevant RolesI. Module LeaderII. Programme LeaderIII. Director of Student EducationIV. Examination and Assessment TutorV. Academic Integrity OfficerVI. Admissions TutorVII. Joint Honours Liaison ManagerVIII. Pro Dean Student Education • …various “champion” roles: Blended Learning, International Director• Others?

DSE Forum DiscussionLeadership roles for student education

• Refresh Role Descriptors

Make roles appear less intimidating:• Change “requirements for the role” to skills you will need• Structure role descriptor into clearer blocks• Highlight sources of support / help• Identify training available• Try to match responsibility with authority!

Clarify workload allowances and other recognition

DSE Forum DiscussionLeadership roles for student education

• Example: Programme Leader•A Programme Leader will be responsible, in conjunction with other Programme Leaders where appropriate, to the Director of Student Education for the development, organisation and management of a named programme and for the academic experience of the students on the programme. A Programme Leader must be a fully appointed current member of the University’s academic staff (or holder of a University honorary contract) in which teaching responsibilities are clearly articulated.•Programme Leaders will be expected to be members of the School Taught Student Education Committee or relevant sub-committees and to play an active part in the development of the School’s portfolio of programmes and the enhancement of the student academic experience.

Specifically a Programme Leader will be responsible for:Leadership1. acting as academic lead and role model for the team of staff who contribute modules and teaching for the core and optional elements of the programme;2. ensuring that the programme is academically coherent and that it remains informed by research developments and other initiatives, in the field concerned;3. ensuring that undergraduate programmes adhere to the principles of the Leeds Curriculum and that there is ongoing reflection at the level of the programme on research based learning (culminating in the final year project), core programme threads (employability, global and cultural insight and ethics and responsibility) and broadening (either through discovery themes or other means); 4. ensuring that the programme is responsive to market need and that appropriate actions are taken in response to all stakeholders;5. keeping up to date with learning and teaching developments and being alert to best practice (through University activity, SDDU, HEA web pages, conferences and professional bulletins and journals).6. ensuring that the learning outcomes, at all levels, are clear and appropriate for the level of the award7. ensuring that the modules which form core and optional elements of the programme are coherent and appropriate for achievement of the programme learning outcomes;8. ensuring that the overall assessment requirements at the module and programme level satisfy the University’s Code of Practice on Assessment and allow achievement of the learning outcomes to be assessed and formative feedback to be provided;9. undertaking review of the programme in accordance with university and school policy including meeting with the relevant staff to oversee analysis and response to student feedback collected internally and externally and external examiners’ reports;10. monitoring of student performance on the programme and taking appropriate action if necessary;11. responding appropriately to programme related academic queries from students;12. ensuring adequate and effective levels of academic and pastoral support for students, including study abroad, work placements and internships;13. assuring arrangements for disabled students are carried forward in consultation with the Equality Service, particularly where the student’s needs have been set out in an ‘Assessment of Need’;14. ensuring that evaluation of modules, programmes and monitoring of student satisfaction is managed effectively, including monitoring and responding appropriately to programme level Key Performance Indicators (student satisfaction surveys, DLHE and student retention data);15. Participating in recruitment activities, such as attendance at open days;

Management16. overseeing the work of support staff in conjunction with the SESM to assure that all programme documentation is accurate and consistent with that approved by the FTSEC and is provided in a timely way to students in accordance with the arrangements of the School/Faculty;17. attending the relevant meetings, where appropriate eg Board(s) of Examiners, ASR, SAER;18. participating in the recruitment and selection of new posts linked to the programme;19. raising any concerns about the running of the programme with the Director of Student Education.

Schools should ensure that the role of a Programme Leader is adequately recognised in the workload model.

Example: Programme Leader: New versionRole SummaryWorking with the Director of Student Education, you will be responsible for the development, organisation and management of a named programme and for the academic experience of the students on that programme. As part of a team of Programme Leaders you will be a member of the School Taught Student Education Committee or relevant sub-committees and will contribute to the development of the School’s portfolio of programmes and the enhancement of the student academic experience. You will be supported in this role by Faculty colleagues from the Student Education Service and Marketing team. Main responsibilitiesProgramme management and development • Lead, set clear expectations for and act as role model for the team of staff who contribute modules and teaching for the core and optional elements of the programme;• Ensure that the programme is academically coherent, remains informed by research developments in the field concerned, and adheres to the principles of the Leeds Curriculum; • Ensure that programme and module learning outcomes are clear and appropriate for the level of the award.• Work with Faculty Marketing colleagues and the Director of Student Education, to ensure the programme is attractive to prospective students, and provide leadership in recruitment activities

and resources such as open days, web sites, etc;• Together with other Programme Leaders, contribute to the development of the School’s portfolio of programmes and the enhancement of the student academic experience• Attend relevant meetings (e.g. Board(s) of Examiners, ASR, SAER);• Participate in the recruitment and selection of new posts linked to the programme. With the support of colleagues in the Student Education Service and you are expected to: Support for Students• Ensure adequate and effective levels of academic and pastoral support for students, including study abroad, work placements and internships;• Ensure arrangements for disabled students are carried forward in consultation with the Equality Service, particularly where the student’s needs have been set out in an ‘Assessment of Need’;• Monitor student performance on the programme and take any appropriate action; • Respond to programme-related academic queries from students; Quality Assurance• Ensure all programme documentation is accurate and consistent with that approved by the FTSEC and is provided in a timely way to students in accordance with the arrangements of the

School/Faculty; • Undertake the review of the programme and participate in the development of the School Student Survey Action Plan, including the analysis and response to student feedback and survey data

collected internally and externally, and external examiners’ reports. Assessment• Ensure the overall assessment requirements at the module and programme level satisfy the University’s Code of Practice on Assessment and allow achievement of the learning outcomes to be

assessed and formative feedback to be provided; Personal development• Keep up to date with good practice and developments in learning and teaching developments (through involvement in University activity, Staff and Departmental Development Unit (SDDU),

Higher Education Academy (HEA) web pages, conferences and professional bulletins and journals. The Programme Leader role is recognised in the workload model with a typical allowance of between x and x. Support and TrainingYou will be supported in this role through ……….

• Example: DSE (existing)Directors of Student Education, working with the Heads of School and the Pro Deans for Student Education, will play a major strategic and co-ordinating role in developing, promoting and delivering the school's learning and teaching strategy and objectives and overseeing the development and quality enhancement of the school's portfolio of programmes and the student academic experience. A Director of Student Education will be appointed following a standard application process, which will include involvement of the Faculty Pro Dean for Learning & Teaching. Appointment will be initially for a period of 3 years with the possibility of one consecutive period of re-appointment. School Directors of Student Education will be drawn from the academic staff of the School. It is anticipated that the responsibilities will be comparable with those of a grade 9 role.The Director of Student Education reports to the Head of School and works within the strategy, policies and procedures of the university and the faculty. The Director of Student Education has a dual faculty and school role and is directly responsibly to the faculty, through the Pro Dean for Student Education, for the quality assurance, standards and quality enhancement of the school's learning and teaching provision. The Director of Student Education will chair the School Taught Student Education Committee and represent the school on the Faculty Taught Student Education Committee. The programme managers for the programmes managed by the school will report to the Director of Student Education in relation to the management of the programmes.Reporting to the Head of School the Director of Student Education will:- • be a member of the School management team, assisting with the general management of the School and contributing to academic leadership within

the Faculty. • take responsibility for developing learning and teaching strategy, policies, quality enhancement and management within the School. This will include

supporting the Pro Dean for Learning & Teaching in faculty-wide activities, such as leading and participating in Faculty and University groups and initiatives, involvement in Faculty and University reviews, membership of relevant Faculty and University committees and associated activities.

• take responsibility for the arrangements for assuring the quality of the provision of the School's programmes (including collaborative programmes) as well as the academic student experience, including ensuring appropriate responses are made to internal and external reviews such as the NSS, investigating complaints and disciplinary matters.

• ensure that the School's portfolio of programmes remains strategically and academically strong, reflecting integration with the School’s research activity and retains financial and market viability, promoting curriculum change, academic coherence and development as appropriate, liaising with external stakeholders, identifying and evaluating opportunities for new programmes of study (including interdisciplinary programmes and collaborative activity) and external and internal funding opportunities for curriculum development.

• promote and co-ordinate quality enhancement, with particular respect to ensuring effective and high quality learning, teaching, assessment and student support practices. This should include the promotion of Faculty, University and national initiatives in learning and teaching and the academic student experience.

• take a leading role in the senior management team in the setting of a culture in which achievements in teaching are recognized and rewarded, including promoting initial and continuing professional development in teaching for all staff with teaching responsibilities, leading initiatives to identify, mentor and develop future leaders in teaching.

• demonstrate a commitment to high quality teaching and learning by, for example, leading staff development initiatives within the school and faculty, the university and beyond; and, undertaking own staff development appropriate to the role of Director of Student Education.

Schools should ensure that the Director of L&T is adequately recognised in the workload model and is appropriately supported. It is anticipated that the role will normally be within the bands of 0.4 to 0.6fte

• Example: DSE (Draft)Working with the Head of School and the Pro Dean for Student Education, you will play a major strategic and coordinating role in developing, promoting and delivering the School's learning and teaching strategy and objectives, and overseeing the development and quality enhancement of the School's portfolio of programmes and the student academic experience. You will chair the School Taught Student Education Committee and represent the School on the Faculty Taught Student Education Committee. The School’s programme leaders will report to you in relation to the management of programmes; you will work closely with the Head of School and Pro-Dean for Student Education on quality assurance, standards and quality enhancement of the School's learning and teaching provision; and you will be supported in the role by the Student Education Service team. Main responsibilities Leadership and management• Be a member of the School Management Team, assisting with the general management of the School and contributing to academic leadership within

the Faculty. • Take a leading role in encouraging a culture in which achievements in teaching are recognised and rewarded, including promoting initial and

continuing professional development in teaching for all staff with teaching responsibilities, and leading initiatives to identify, mentor and develop future leaders in teaching.

• Demonstrate a commitment to high quality teaching and learning by serving as a role model; by leading staff development initiatives within the School and Faculty, the University and beyond; and by pursuing professional development opportunities appropriate to the role.

Student education strategy and portfolio development• Be responsible, with the support of School and Faculty staff, for the development of learning and teaching strategy, policies, quality enhancement and

management within the School. • Work with the Pro Dean for Student Education in Faculty-wide activities, such as leading and participating in Faculty and University groups and

initiatives, involvement in Faculty and University reviews, membership of relevant Faculty and University committees and associated activities. • Ensure that the School's portfolio of programmes remains strategically and academically strong, reflecting integration with the School’s research

activity; promoting curriculum change, academic coherence and development; identifying and evaluating opportunities for new programmes of study (including interdisciplinary programmes and collaborative activity); and identifying and promoting external and internal funding opportunities for curriculum development.

Quality assurance and student experience • Be responsible for the quality assurance of the School's programmes (including collaborative programmes), as well as the student academic

experience, through coordination of appropriate responses to external reports and student feedback, and with the support of the Student Education Service.

• Support quality enhancement of student education and the student academic experience through the promotion of relevant Faculty, University and national initiatives.

The Director of Student Education will be appointed following a standard application and interview process, normally for a period of 3 years. The role will be recognised in the workload model with a typical allowance of between 0.4 and 0.6FTE.

Required Support and Training

• Leadership skills• Role-specific knowledge / skills

Revised University Leadership development programmeRevision to SDDU structure and provisionForum for shared experience (like this DSE forum) for other roles?

Who else can provide support?• SES team• Admissions & Marketing teams• IT provision• HR, Finance

DSE Forum DiscussionLeadership roles for student education

Recognition, Reward & Progression

To make the job “do-able” and attractive, there needs to be time and space to carry it out, and a sense that it will contribute to career goals, not be a distraction from them.

• Workload allowance• Skills development• Recognition for promotion etc.• Perhaps a “career path” through roles?

– But differences between roles in different faculties– Don’t want to make important jobs seem “inferior”/”lower grade”

DSE Forum DiscussionLeadership roles for student education

Consultation Questions

• Do the current student education roles adequately reflect the roles and responsibilities required for the effective delivery of student education?

• How should role descriptors be used?

• How are the roles recognised and rewarded?

• How do such role holders work with other colleagues? Are respective roles and responsibilities clear and well defined?

• What knowledge, skills and competencies are required? How can the University support their development?

• Any comments on the proposed Programme Leader DSE role descriptions?

• Are there other academic leadership roles that should be included?

DSE Forum DiscussionLeadership roles for student education