Beyond the First Week: Enhanced Transition in the School of Law Opi Outhwaite

Today’s session What is ‘enhanced transition’ and why are we talking about it? What did we do in the Law School? Do we think it worked?

Enhanced Transition What does it mean? Scaffolding transition to higher education Focus extends beyond ‘induction week’ to pre- arrival and post-arrival

Drivers Retention and progression Achievement – Barriers Widening participation Funding HE KPIs and University policy

What are the aims? Sense of belonging – Relationship between social and academic integration – Connection with the department/programme (community) – Feeling valued (individual) Engagement – Staff-student contact – Informal support, peer networks and friendships Managing expectations – Information management, preparedness, feedback

Pre-Arrival Welcome letter and required reading Contact with existing students Tutor contact information Welcome day

Pre-arrival Welcome Day

‘Induction’ Welcome into the Department All staff involved in registration and introduction Orientation and locating in Law School Book fair, staff contact Integrating social and academic settings Social and academic activities, student mentoring Engagement with course Personal tutoring and academic work Keep in touch with late arrivals

Week 2 onwards Continued contact with personal tutors Phased contact with student mentors Continue summer reading into core course Attendance monitoring

What works? Too little vs too much Staff buy-in is crucial Approach should reflect Department/programme culture Time and resource intensive Look out for low hanging fruit How do you judge success?

What works? What has worked? Personal tutoring & first year tutor Welcome day Induction Scope for improvement Peer mentoring Integration of international students