Student Engagement Policy
Policy Statement
The School is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where students are integral partners in their education. Our Student Engagement Policy promotes active student participation in academic and institutional activities. This policy empowers students to engage fully in their learning and broader campus life, supported by faculty and staff.
Principles
- Participation: Encouraging active participation in learning and teaching activities.
- Voice: Ensuring students have a voice in decisions that affect their education.
- Collaboration: Collaborating with students to enhance the learning experience.
- Feedback: Valuing and acting upon feedback from students.
- Support: Providing support for students to engage fully in their academic pursuits.
- Community: Nurturing a sense of community within the School.
- Empowerment: Empowering students to drive their own learning and development.
- Personal Development: Facilitating opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Inclusivity: Welcoming and fostering an inclusive environment for all students.
- Recognition: Acknowledging the contributions of students to the School community.
- Innovation: Encouraging innovative approaches to student engagement.
- Review: Regularly reviewing and improving engagement strategies and practices.
Regulatory Context
This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:
| Authority | Name | Url |
|---|---|---|
| Office for Students (OfS) |
Regulatory framework for higher education in England
This framework outlines OfS' primary aim to ensure positive outcomes for students, including access, success, and progress in higher education. It covers quality academic experience, progress into employment, and value for money. |
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| Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) |
The Quality Code
This code represents a shared understanding of quality practice across the UK higher education sector, protecting public and student interests and championing the UK's reputation for quality. |
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| Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) |
Advice - Enabling Student Achievement
|
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| Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) |
Advice - Monitoring and Evaluation
Guidance on procedures and principles for monitoring and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of higher education programmes. |
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| Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) |
Advice - Student Engagement
Guidance on student engagement in higher education, focusing on quality assurance and enhancement processes. |
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Impact of Surveys and Student Feedback
The School gathers student feedback through various surveys:
Students can also provide feedback at any time through MyLSI. Using a range of surveys ensures comprehensive feedback on different aspects of the student experience. Providing multiple channels for feedback, including MyLSI, facilitates continuous improvement and responsiveness to student needs. |
Using the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for Module Feedback
The School’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) hosts programme and module learning content, including interactive knowledge graphs (IKGs) with weekly learning concepts. Each stage in the IKGs includes a ‘comment’ link for students to provide feedback on activities, allowing them to communicate with the module leader. Additionally, the VLE features a discussion board where students can post feedback on their learning. Module leaders can engage with this feedback, which provides data and analytics to aid in the review of module alignment. This system facilitates direct feedback and interaction between students and module leaders, improving the learning experience and enabling data-driven enhancements. The feedback mechanism supports continuous improvement in module content and delivery. |
Student Feedback Through the MyLSI Platform
The School’s automated governance system (AGS) includes a student engagement platform called MyLSI. This portal hosts module surveys and features a ‘Support and Services’ link where students can submit ‘General Feedback’. The feedback section encourages students to share thoughts and suggestions to help improve and tailor the School’s services. This feedback mechanism provides a direct channel for students to contribute their opinions and suggestions, aiding the School in evolving and refining its services to better meet student needs. |
Student and Staff Interaction and Engagement
Students and staff work together to ensure that student feedback informs the academic experience. This includes the following measures:
These measures ensure that students have various ways to provide feedback and receive support, integrating their input into their academic journey and enhancing their overall educational experience. |
Student Experience Committee
Each programme and level provides two representatives to the Student Experience Committee. Elections are managed by the Student Success Team at the start of the academic year. Chaired by the Director of Student Services, it enables students to feedback on all of the School's services. The Committee includes the Directors of Education and Operations, and all module and programme leaders, and meets once per semester. A quorum requires 75% of representatives and the Chair. Meetings can be in person, hybrid, or virtual. The Chair prepares the agenda, sends invitations, records minutes, and tracks actions. Decisions are made by consensus or majority vote, with the Chair having a casting vote if necessary. Post-meeting, the Chair distributes action lists to relevant staff and students and monitors progress. The Director of Student Services reports outcomes to the Executive Committee and Academic Board. This structure ensures all programmes and levels are represented, and it provides a clear process for meeting organisation, decision-making, and follow-up. Regular reporting to senior committees supports continuous improvement and effective student representation. |
Student Representation on Institutional Governance Bodies
Students will be invited to join committees involved in the School's governance, particularly those affecting the academic experience. This includes the Board of Governors, the Advisory Board to the Board of Governors, and the Academic Board, where student representatives are present. Student representatives, for instance. will be consulted on relevant safeguarding and Prevent-related matters when they arise. This includes involvement in reviewing updates to key student-facing policies or contributing feedback to institutional strategies. Where appropriate, short-term working groups or student consultation panels may be convened to ensure student voices are reflected in our approach to Prevent. Involving students in these committees ensures their perspectives are considered in decisions impacting their academic experience, promoting inclusive and effective governance. |
Major and Minor Changes
When proposing major or minor changes to programmes, modules, regulations, or policies, students must be consulted beforehand. Those proposing changes must engage with students before submitting proposals to governing bodies for approval. This consultation forms part of the evidence considered by these bodies. Relevant governing bodies must verify that student input has been sought on matters affecting their experience at the School. Consulting students on proposed changes ensures their perspectives are considered, supporting the development of relevant and effective educational programmes and policies. This practice enhances transparency and integrates student feedback into decision-making processes. |
Student Engagement Communication and Training
Information about all student engagement channels will be clearly publicised, including on the Automated Governance System (AGS), to enhance students' experience and involvement in School strategy and governance. The Student Success Team, in collaboration with the Marketing Team, will promote engagement opportunities and provide training for student representatives. Effective publicity and training ensure that students are aware of engagement opportunities and can actively participate in shaping their academic experience and the School’s governance, leading to a more inclusive and responsive environment. |
Establishing a Student Union
Currently, the School does not plan to host an independent Students' Union. However, it values democratic decision-making and independent advice for students. When the student population reaches 500 or more, or as soon as feasible, the School will allocate up to 5% of its net budget surplus to establish a Students' Union. Until then, students will have access to independent advice through the National Union of Students and other representative organisations. Providing a Students' Union or alternative advice ensures that students have access to independent representation and support as the student body grows, enhancing democratic engagement and decision-making. |
The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.
Participation in Student Governance Committees
Percentage of student representatives actively participating in governance committees (e.g., Student Experience Committee). Target: 90% attendance per meeting. It measures student involvement in decision-making processes, ensuring that student voices are integrated into institutional governance. |
Rate of Implementation of Student Suggestions
Percentage of student suggestions that lead to actionable changes. It evaluates how effectively the institution incorporates student input into practice, demonstrating a commitment to student-led improvements. |
Student Feedback Response Rate
Percentage of student feedback submitted through surveys that receives a formal response or action. Target: 90% of feedback addressed within one month. This measures how well the School acts on student feedback, reflecting its commitment to responsiveness and continuous improvement. |
Student Participation in Institutional Governance
Percentage of students actively involved in institutional governance roles (e.g., student representatives on boards). Target: 10% of student body. This KPI measures the level of student involvement in institutional decision-making, ensuring their perspectives shape school policies. |
Utilisation Rate of MyLSI for Feedback
Percentage of students using the MyLSI platform to provide feedback. Target: 60% of students provide feedback annually. This KPI tracks the effectiveness of the MyLSI platform in capturing student feedback, crucial for ongoing engagement and improvement. |