Academic Coach x3 (1621)
Academic Coach x3
Full Time - Permanent - High Wycombe
Salary - £33,232 - £36,924
Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.
Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that you require.
The post holder will provide high-quality academic support, guidance and feedback to enhance student outcomes. This will include 1-2-1 and small group support, guidance and feedback to students on their academic work; monitoring student performance data to understand the needs of learners across the University; contributing to the creation of documentation, resources and guides to support students to enhance their academic performance; working with colleagues to identify curriculum development opportunities designed to improve student engagement, retention, progression and attainment; and supporting the University’s approach to Access and Participation.
What we offer:
- a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- training & development support opportunities
- contributory pension scheme
- discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
- a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Ben Brabon at Ben.Brabon@bnu.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online, and include a supporting statement of how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria in the job description and person specification.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our aim is to continue to build an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’S workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Closing Date: 25 November 2024
Interview Date: 11 December 2024
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.
Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Academic Coach
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Directorate: LEAP
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Grade: F |
Location: High Wycombe (with travel to Uxbridge and Aylesbury campuses and partner institutions)
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Responsible to: Head of Pedagogy and Practice
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Responsible for: N/A
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Job Purpose:
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Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provide 1-2-1 and small group support, guidance and feedback to students on their academic work, including advice in respect of assessment practice and learning from assessment feedback.
- Monitor student performance data to understand the needs of learners across the University.
- Create bespoke student support sessions designed to enhance student outcomes.
- Communicate effectively with students via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and other appropriate tools and actively encourage engagement with their programmes using resources available.
- Enhance student engagement and develop independent learning through targeted academic support.
- Work with colleagues to identify curriculum development opportunities designed to improve student engagement, retention, progression and outcomes.
- Support the University’s approach to Access and Participation.
- Assist with the creation of documentation, resources and guides to support students to enhance their academic performance.
- Contribute to the student experience by delivering an excellent customer service as demonstrated in student feedback.
- Contribute to Open Days, school, college and partnership links and the marketing and promotional work of the university.
- Deliver pastoral care to, and project supervision of, students.
- Engage in professional development activities (e.g., CPD, attendance at conferences) relating to teaching, learning and assessment.
- Maintain and foster the high reputation of the University in practice partner settings.
- Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
- Any other such reasonable duties as required by the Director/Head of Pedagogy and Practice.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
Education, Qualifications & Training |
Means of Testing |
First degree in a relevant field |
A |
Commitment to working towards and achieving a teaching qualification |
A |
Commitment to working towards a relevant master’s degree |
A/I |
Knowledge & Experience |
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Experience of providing high-quality support, guidance and feedback in an education context |
A/I |
Experience of providing academic, pastoral, coaching and/or teaching support |
A/I |
Knowledge and understanding of assessment practices in HE |
A/I |
Experience of designing and delivering student support sessions |
A/I |
Experience of creating resources to support learning, teaching and assessment |
A/I |
Knowledge and experience of University processes and practices |
A/I |
Knowledge of and enthusiasm for enhance the student experience |
I |
Skills |
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Effective presentation skills and excellent spoken and written English |
A/I |
Excellent general IT skills including use of Microsoft Office |
A/I |
Data analysis and digital literacy |
A/I |
Clear and confident communicator |
A/I |
Effective report writing skills |
A/I |
Effective management of data to meet ethical requirements and compliance (e.g., GDPR) |
A/I |
Ability to meet deadlines |
A/I |
Behavioural INDICATORS
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:
- Delivering excellent service
- Working together
- Engaging with the wider context