Speakers
Dr Kate Wilkinson
Presentation
Following the pandemic, amidst projected growth, uncertainty, and financial challenges, Hartpury University developed a new APT (academic personal tutor) framework to enhance student retention, progression, and achievement. Building on their small and specialist ethos, where “everyone knows your name,” Hartpury aimed to ensure tutors could maintain a personalised approach to student support. The APT role was defined around four core principles: “Know,” “Support,” “Signpost,” and “Prepare”, aligning with the TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) Educational Gain Strategy. Centrally positioned as the primary communication link, APTs were tasked with maximising student engagement and relationship-building. From 2023/24, Hartpury introduced weekly targeted data to all APTs, identifying at-risk students based on engagement metrics and demographic risk factors.
This session discusses how Hartpury developed their model and how APTs were equipped with the tools to act on the weekly targeted data, the impact on student retention and achievement, and the tutor perspective on workload and success.
Dr Kate Wilkinson is Head of Teaching and Learning and a Senior Teaching Fellow at Hartpury University, leading teaching enhancement, mentoring for Advance HE accreditations, and pedagogical staff development. She plays a key role in supporting students, co-chairing the inclusive teaching and learning group and the Achievement Success centre (ASC). Kate undertakes practice based research in teaching and learning, and is a co-convener for the Advance HE TEAL network, as well as a Student Minds Mental Health Charter assessor.
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https://pure.hartpury.ac.uk/en/persons/kate-wilkinson
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katewilkinsonuni
Beth Smith is a Lecturer in PE and School Sport and a Senior Teaching Fellow at Hartpury University. She is Programme Manager of the FdSc Sport Performance and Coaching, BSc (Hons) Sport Performance Top Up and is an Academic Personal Tutor across these programmes and the BSc (Hons) PE and School Sport. Beth undertakes professional development-based research for practitioners in the field of teaching and learning and coach development.
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https://pure.hartpury.ac.uk/en/persons/bethany-smith
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/bethany-smith-b5bb0b183
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@@pe_bsmith