1. Implementing a School Wide Teaching and Learning Forum Morag Redfern Paul Street School of Health & Social Care

2. Project outcomes The Forum will provide:-  a focus for school wide recognition and sharing of best practice.  a forum for cross discipline discussion of teaching and learning enhancements.  opportunity for individual, and departmental development.  opportunity for students to engage in the development of school wide learning & teaching strategies.  a means of identifying and disseminating practice appropriate for a wider university audience.

3. Initial steps  Project team meetings & identified Forum dates  Project team made conscious decision not to present at first Forum  First topics set by project team  Secured two ‘speakers’ for first Forum  Disseminated dates & raised awareness across School  Met with and supported preparation of ‘speakers’  ‘Speakers’ keen not to be seen as ‘experts’ but as willing to share experiences on subject  Identified strategies to facilitate debate around topics

4. Launch Theme:- Numeracy in the curriculum  16 attendees, across 3 departments  Positive closing evaluation  Value raised and discussed at School Learning and Quality Committee  Scope of Forum were then extended to include Partner Colleges  Financial return maintained

5. Forum 2 & 3 Forum 2 - Action Learning (19 staff) Forum 3 - Classroom Management (24 staff) More staff attended from a wider range of disciplines attended High levels of engagement and interaction Positive evaluation

6. Evaluation  Has attending the forum been positive or not? YES = 20, NO = 0  8 staff attended one forum, 9 staff attended 2 and 3 staff attended 3. Benefits  Sharing experiences  Open informal discussion Areas for improvement  Not on a Friday afternoon  Having it at lunch time with lunch  ‘Keep it going’

7. Reflections  Reconsider the dissemination strategy in light of the Portal – possibly via a portal group  Project expenses – mainly staff time and refreshments  Forum much more interactive than anticipated  ‘Speakers’ had various levels/length of experience  Facilitation strategies useful to have - not required due to level and length of discussion  Subsequent topics generated at close of Forum  Positive feedback and interest level across the School continues to increase  Project outcomes achieved

8. Future plans Secure Web space for wider dissemination Increase the involvement of Partner Colleges Maintain levels of interest within the school Respond to staff interest in skills based activities for future themes