- Which Award were you nominated for?
Outstanding support award – team award
2. How did you feel when you found out you had been shortlisted for an Award?
We were extremely excited when we found out we had been shortlisted for a BTA – it is so nice to be nominated by the students and we were flattered when we read the nomination! Our team is small, and due to the structure or the Award, we don’t have regular contact with Award participants, so it is nice to know our work is being well received.
3. Can you tell us a little bit about your practice and why you were nominated?
We curate and deliver the Bristol PLUS Award, a framework which acknowledges the extra-curricular activities students achieve alongside their degrees. It requires them to develop and reflect upon their skills and achievements.
We support students by running skills development events, brokering employer activity and providing feedback on their final reflective reports.
Each year around 1000 students completed the Award, achievers report positive change in their career planning progression and over 95% would highly recommend the Award process to their peers.
4. What inspires you to go the extra mile with your teaching?
Often students say that the Award process revealed how much they have achieved and learned through their activities. These stories are so motivating to us! We love hearing how the process helps students develop confidence both within their future ambitions but also with their university experience. Many say the Award helped them feel more connected to their community and increased their well-being.
5. What would you like to share with others about your teaching practice?
The importance of being inclusive shouldn’t be overlooked! The PLUS is open to students in all years, including Masters and Postgraduate students. Its design allows individuals to use activities that are relevant to where they are in their development and their interests. This allows the process to be both engaging and meaningful to participants.
