Teaching and Learning Exchange

Professional Recognition Programme

Supporting Documentation for Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Introduction....................................................................................................................1Pre-registration...............................................................................................................2Registering for the Programme......................................................................................2Making a Claim for Recognition as Senior Fellow........................................................2Submitting Evidence......................................................................................................3Appendix 1, Senior Fellow Initial Planning Document.................................................1Appendix 2, Senior Fellow – Reflective Account of Practice Submission....................4Appendix 3, Senior Fellow – Dialogue Submission......................................................7Appendix 4, Senior Fellow - Portfolio Submission.......................................................9Appendix 5, Senior Fellow – Advocate Guidance Notes............................................12

IntroductionThis document includes the various forms and guidance needed to make a Professional Recognition Claim for Senior Fellow of the Higher Education. You should refer to this document after having read the Professional Recognition Programme Handbook and in conjunction with the UKPSF (link1).

Senior Fellow of the HEA is for colleagues who demonstrate:a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning. Individuals should be able to provide evidence of:

I. Successful engagement across all five Areas of Activity II. Appropriate knowledge and understanding across all aspects

of Core KnowledgeIII. A commitment to all the Professional ValuesIV. Successful engagement in appropriate teaching practices

related to the Areas of Activity V. Successful incorporation of subject and pedagogic research

and/ or scholarship within the above activities, as part of an integrated approach to academic practice

VI. Successful engagement in continuing professional development in relation to teaching, learning, assessment, scholarship and, as appropriate, related academic or professional practices

VII. Successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/ or mentoring of others (whether individuals and/or teams) in relation to teaching and learning

(see UKPSF, p. 6)

If you are involved in a learning support role you will also find the ‘Dimensions of the framework: staff in learning support roles’ helpful (link2)

If you are involved in doctoral supervision you will also find the ‘Dimensions of the framework for Doctoral Supervisors’ helpful (link3)

1 https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/UKPSF.pdf 2 https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/system/files/ukpsf_dof_ss_final_270716.pdf 3https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/system/files/downloads/ ukpsf_dof_doctoral_supervisors_150416_final_0.pdf

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Pre-registrationThe Teaching and Learning Exchange offers introductory workshops at the beginning and end of each academic year that introduce the different categories of Fellowship. Attending the introductory workshop will provide an overview of the programme and the UKPSF, and will help you identify an appropriate category for recognition and the best route to achieve this.

Registering for the ProgrammeBefore developing an application for Senior Fellowship you must register with the programme. Registration has the following aims:

1. To support you to identify the most appropriate category of Fellowship to apply for.

2. To help us identify appropriate ongoing support.

In order to register for the programme as Senior Fellow of the HEA you should complete the initial planning form in Appendix 1.

Making a Claim for Recognition as Senior FellowOnce you have been accepted on the programme you will need to prepare a submission for professional recognition, this will be made up of:

Evidence of how you meet the Senior Fellow category 2 Advocate Statements (1 of whom must be a Fellow, Senior Fellow or

Principal Fellow of the HEA) – see Appendix 5 for guidance for advocates

The workshop programme outlined in the Handbook exists to provide support and guidance upon the form and content of applications. You must use this support and mentoring to prepare your evidence.

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Submitting Evidence

The Professional Recognition programme provides the opportunity to submit Professional Recognition Claims in one of three formats.

Professional Recognition Claim

Reflective Account of

Practice

Dialogue Portfolio

Senior Fellow

Written Reflective Submission, no more than 6000 words in length.

Submission of evidence mapped to the UKPSF followed bya 40 minute recorded professional Dialogue.

Portfolio of evidence mapped to the UKPSF, including a Commentary that should not exceed 4000 words.

2 advocate statements

During support workshops and meetings with your mentor, you will have an opportunity to consider the most effective ways to evidence your practice against the Senior Fellow category and illustrate your critical and reflective practice.

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Appendix 1, Senior Fellow Initial Planning Document

NameDepartmentDateAre you an existing Fellow of the HEA?

If yes please indicate category, i.e. Associate Fellow or Fellow, and date achieved.

Completing the Planning Document

The initial planning document will help to indicate your readiness for applying for Senior Fellowship and support the allocation of a mentor for ongoing support.

When completed please send to: recognition@arts.ac.uk

Descriptor Please reflect on how your practice meets the Descriptor What evidence can you draw on in support of your claims?

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D3.I: Successful engagement across all five Areas of Activity of the UKPSF. Along with how you champion and support these with peers.D3.II: Appropriate knowledge and understanding across all aspects of Core Knowledge of the UKPSF. Along with how you champion and support these with peers.D3.III: A commitment to all the Professional Values of the UKPSF. Along with how you champion and support these with peers.D3.IV: Successful engagement in appropriate teaching practices related to the Areas of ActivityD3.V: Successful incorporation of subjectand pedagogic research and/or scholarship within the above activities, as part of an integrated approach to academic practice

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D3.VI: Successful engagement in continuing professional development in relation to teaching, learning, assessment, scholarship and, as appropriate, related academic or professional practicesD3.VII: Successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/ or mentoring of others (whether individuals and/or teams) in relation to teaching and learning

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Appendix 2, Senior Fellow – Reflective Account of Practice Submission

NameCollege/DepartmentDateAre you an existing Fellow of the HEA?

If yes please indicate category, i.e. Associate Fellow or Fellow, and date achieved.

General principles to consider in preparing your Reflective Account.

It is essential to refer always to the relevant parts of the UKPSF. In addition to

these guidance notes, you will need a copy of the UKPSF to hand when

completing your application: you must make clear how you apply your Core

Knowledge and Professional Values to all of the Dimensions of Practice set out

in the Framework.

As an introduction to your reflective account, you should highlight the primary

influences on your own development, focusing on the progressive attainment of

your professional capabilities and how you and others have benefited from the

continuous learning and development process involved. Aspects for inclusion in

this section might include:

A brief introduction to you, your role and how you got there.

Your philosophy of teaching and support.

Examples of how you have embodied your philosophy and the ways in

which this meets the requirements for D3.

How your research, scholarship and/or professional practice has enabled

you to better support, mentor, manage and /or lead others and how this

has made them more effective teachers/supporters of learning.

Involvement in teaching and learning initiatives and how these have led

to enhancements of peers’ practice and student learning/experience.

The ways in which you have championed good practice with colleagues

and how this has helped shape the student experience.

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How any leadership, management and organisational roles within

institution or wider higher education context have helped you to make

enhancements to the student experience.

Your application for Senior Fellowship must include reference to appropriate

research and scholarly activity and the leadership, management and

administration of academic provision and support. The reflective account should

be used to provide a commentary on your professional practice as a teacher

and/or supporter of learning, and should be framed around how you develop,

support, mentor and lead others to make them more effective teachers. Make

sure you consider your practice within the context of D3.7.

Whilst it is important that you address all of the Dimensions of Framework,

given the complex and integrative nature of professional practice at this level

you should avoid a mechanistic approach to ensuring full coverage.

The quality of your reflection is far more important than quantity. The word

count for written reflection is 6000 words. Advocate statements will be in

addition to this. Applications that exceed the word limit will not be accepted.

Please ensure you provide reasons for the choice of activities you describe, and

demonstrate that you reflect on your professional practice and the students’

learning experience.

When making claims, you should theoretical underpin them and evaluate them

in relation to data that you have either gathered or have access to.

Programmes of study used as examples must be equivalent to at least Level 4 or

above within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

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Remember that in your reflections you should make explicit use of the elements of Core Knowledge and Professional Values to reflect on the activities you are describing.

When completed please email your application form along with your references to: recognition@arts.ac.uk

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Appendix 3, Senior Fellow – Dialogue Submission

NameCollege/DepartmentDate

When completed please email your application form along with your advocate statements to: recognition@arts.ac.uk

UKPSF Evidence Mapping

The purpose of the mapping document is to provide reviewers with an overview of how the evidence submitted relates to the Senior Fellow descriptor of the UKPSF. Please give a brief description of the evidence and indicate how it meets the UKPSF descriptor. To aid the reviewers please also reference individual aspects of the UKPSF i.e. (A1, V1, etc.)

No. Description of activity/evidence

Period Used as evidence for Descriptor

From To 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7

[Add rows where appropriate]

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Professional Dialogue

Following the submission of your evidence and UKPSF mapping document, reviewers will undertake a preliminary assessment and you will be invited to a recorded Professional Dialogue. Whilst the discussion will focus on the evidence submitted, reviewers will seek to explore the extent to which the Descriptor has been met. You can expect to be asked:

1. About how you support all the dimensions of the UKPSF through your engagement with peers. The reviewers will also want to understand how you evaluate and develop your effectiveness in terms of co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/ or mentoring of others.

2. To discuss specific pieces of evidence and how these reflect a critical and scholarly approach.

3. To discuss where CPD has helped you to become an effective teacher/supporter of learning and to develop your approach for successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/ or mentoring of others.

The professional dialogue will last for no more than 40 minutes.

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Appendix 4, Senior Fellow - Portfolio Submission

NameCollege/DepartmentDate

When completed please email your application form along with your advocate statements to: recognition@arts.ac.uk

General principles to consider in preparing your Portfolio

It is essential to always link evidence and commentary to the relevant parts of

the UKPSF. For that reason, in addition to these guidance notes, you will need a

copy of the UKPSF to hand when completing your submission.

Your application for Senior Fellowship is centred upon the processes of

continuing professional learning and development. This includes appropriate

research and scholarly activity and the leadership, management and

administration of academic provision and support. You should consider your

practice within the context D3.7 to frame it in an appropriate way.

Whilst it is important that you address all of the dimensions of Framework, given

the complex and integrative nature of professional practice at this level you

should avoid a mechanistic approach to ensuring full coverage.

The quality of your evidence and commentary is far more important than

quantity. The portfolio submission provides the opportunity to submit different

types of media that demonstrate how you meet the Senior Fellow descriptor of

the UKPSF.

You should select evidence that emphasises how you develop, support, mentor

and lead others to make them more effective teachers.

In order to meet the descriptor you will need to select evidence that emphasises

your sustained impact and commitment to support and developing others to

enhance their practice as teachers or supporters of learning.

You may find it helpful to utilise the commentary to include:

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A brief introduction to you, your role and how you have developed

Your philosophy of teaching and support and how this is reflected in how

you ‘lead’ others

Relate evidence of effective practice to professional development

activities

Provide theoretical rationale for your practice and indicating how this is

reflected in your evidence

The ways in which you have championed good practice with colleagues

and how this has helped shaped the student experience

Programmes of study used as examples must be equivalent to at least Level 4 or

above within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Evidence Mapping

The purpose of the mapping document is to provide the reviewers with an overview of the portfolio of evidence submitted along with how this relates to the UKPSF. Please give a brief description of the evidence and indicate how it meets the UKPSF descriptor. To aid the reviewers please also reference individual aspects of the UKPSF i.e. (A1, V1, etc.)

No. Description of

activity/evidence

Critical/Reflective

Commentary, if separate

Used as evidence for Descriptor

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7

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[Add rows where appropriate]

Whilst the portfolio may be comprised of different types of evidence, you should adhere to an indicative word count of no more than 4000 words for the Commentary.

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Appendix 5, Senior Fellow – Advocate Guidance Notes

Adapted from the HEA

Thank you for agreeing to provide an advocate statement.

The guidance below is designed to help you prepare your advocate statement for a

Senior Fellow candidate. You should be a Fellow, Senior Fellow, or Principal Fellow

of the HEA, or an appropriate experienced member of staff working for a higher

education provider. All advocates need to be familiar with the UK Professional

Standards Framework (UKPSF).

What is the function of the advocate statement?

The function of the advocate statement is to provide an informed peer review of the

candidate’s work using your knowledge of their professional experience. You should

be able to comment and substantiate the candidate’s evidence of a sustained record

of effectiveness in relation to learning and teaching. This evidence may incorporate,

for example, the organisation, leadership and/or management of specific aspects of

learning and teaching provision.

If possible, please comment on the candidate’s most recent role and responsibilities.

To write an appropriate advocate statement, please take time to read/view the

candidate’s submission and comment directly on its content.

What information do I need to provide?

Your statement should primarily refer to the candidate’s experience and

achievements in learning and teaching and should refer to his/her research record

and/or professional practice only in so far as this directly informs their teaching.

Please use your knowledge of his/her work to comment on how the candidate meets

the Dimensions of The UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for teaching

and supporting learning in higher education at Descriptor 3 (D3) (see page 3). Your

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statement should support any claims made in relation to leadership and/or the

management/organisation of specific aspects of learning and teaching provision

within the context of the candidate’s role(s).

Provide practical examples to support your comments wherever possible. Similarly,

please comment on any innovative practice, mentoring, contribution to

developments in learning and teaching at team/departmental/institutional level.

Similarly, please comment on any innovative practice, contribution to developments

in organising and leading learning and teaching within the candidate’s discipline.

The HEA expects all the Dimensions – Areas of Activity, Core Knowledge and

Professional Values – of the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and

supporting learning in higher education (UKPSF) to underpin the practice of those

recognised by the HEA. Please provide examples, if appropriate, of where and how

this underpinning is presented in the submission.

Is there a standard format?

There is no standard form for advocate statement but you may find it helpful to

comment under the Dimensions of the UKPSF identified in the submission. The

Dimensions of the UKPSF are listed overleaf.

Please provide an electronic copy of your advocate statement to the candidate and

ensure that it includes verifiable information, i.e. it should be written on headed

notepaper wherever possible, should include your name, job title, organisation

(including department if applicable), email address and preferably your signature.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to collect the statement from you. A suggested

word length for the statement is circa 500 words.

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The Higher Education Academy’s Professional Recognition for Senior Fellow aligns

to the Dimensions of The UK Professional Standards Framework and focuses on

Descriptor 3:

An individual working in this category demonstrates a thorough understanding of

effective approaches to learning and teaching support as a key contribution to high

quality student learning. Individuals should be able to provide evidence of:

successful engagement across all five Areas of Activity;

appropriate knowledge and understanding across all aspects of

Core Knowledge;

a commitment to all the Professional Values;

successful engagement in appropriate teaching practices related to

the Areas of Activity;

successful incorporation of subject and pedagogic research and/or

scholarship within the above activities, as part of an integrated

approach to academic practice;

successful engagement in continuing professional development in

relation to teaching, learning, assessment, scholarship and, as

appropriate, related academic or professional practices;

successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management

and/or mentoring of others (whether individuals and/or teams) in

relation to learning and teaching.

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