April - June 2012

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Posted on 11 December 2012

April – June 2012


In the spring of 2012 Keele achieved the Workplace Health Award as developed by Staffordshire County Council.   The award, gained at the first attempt, is recognition for the valued on-going support we give to our staff.  Overall the aim is to have an extremely fit, happy and healthy workforce. A strategy is to be developed with the aim of achieving silver next year. 

Pictured are members of the Health and Wellbeing Group receiving the award certificate from Leo Capernaros, Health Development Advisor, from Staffordshire County Council.

 

In April the LPDC delivered the revised Supervisor Development Programme for the first time. The programme, a requirement to become a research supervisor at Keele, was updated to reflect changes to the University’s Code of Practice and was co-designed and is co-delivered by Research Institute PGR Directors.  It also includes contributions from the Keele Postgraduate Association, the Pro-Vice Chancellor and professional services staff from PAA and HRSS

April also saw the launch of 'In Addition' Maths Open Learning Service following a successful bid for SIGMA match funding. This was a new service open to any students who need some extra support in maths.

In May 2012 SSDS ran May Day - a great event at which students met with employers and careers staff to look develop their employability skills, using social media, dining etiquette, dressing to impress, making successful applications. 

Also in May, International Student Support were successful in acquiring one of the 10 allotments in the Clock House walled garden for use by International Students and the LPDC awarded nine grants for teaching innovation projects worth a total of £19,000 to teams of academic and professional services staff to develop teaching practices that will impact positively on student learning and the student experience at Keele. Projects include support for laboratory practicals, using drama for learning and developing student-generated blogs and videos to support other learners.

The 2012 Teaching Symposium was attended by more than one hundred staff from across the Schools and Faculties and some support areas. Presentations and workshops showcased Keele staff innovation across three main themes- assessment and feedback, curriculum and the use of technology.

The Cycle to Work scheme was in operation for the first time in 2012 providing tax-free bikes for eligible employees at a great saving against in-store prices; for example, a £500 bike through Cycle to Work would cost around £340 (depending on circumstances).  The outcome of this scheme was approximately £3.4k of savings to colleagues across the University and also, it supports our drive for sustainability and reduces the burden on car parking spaces.  

This scheme will be available again in 2013; further details of how to apply can be found at http://www.keele.ac.uk/cycletoworkscheme/

 

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