Class Rep Handbook 2017-18

Class
Representative’s
Handbook
Session
2017/18

Introduction
Firstly, thank you for getting involved and taking on the role of Class
Representative – a role that we value greatly. The opinions of our students
are integral to our constant commitment to enhance the quality of your
learning experience. As a Class Rep you will play a key part in this process,
Student Body throughout the year.
This handbook is designed to guide you through the first steps of the
process and will thereafter serve as a reference point for any issues that
you may encounter.

What does it mean to be a Class Rep?
levels of college life, is to find out what our students think.
As one of our Class Representatives you will play a very important part in ensuring that
a fair representation of the Student Voice is heard throughout the college. You will be
involved in a range of activities, such as:
Holding regular discussions with your class to unearth any issues or problems that
need to be addressed/resolved and ensuring these are brought to the attention of
two formal course/departmental meetings per academic year or by submitting a
Acting as a link between your fellow class members and the Student Association
by attending three student Representative Council (SRC) meetings to look at
Benefits of being a class rep
Being a Class Rep allows you to get actively involved in
the decisions made about your education. It is a great way of increasing the
quality and standards within the college and can benefit you, your peers and
future students.
Transferable skills There are countless skills to develop as a Rep;
negotiation, diplomacy, problem solving and communication skills to name but
a few. These are all skills that can benefit your studies, personal life and in
your future career.
Employability Prospective employers want to see more than just a
qualification and often look for those with the types of skills above. If you can
show you’ve done something outside of your course then this will prove you
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The Role of the Class Representative
Your key role is to represent your class group and to keep your group fully informed of any
developments or issues that impact upon them during their time at college.
It is worth bearing in mind that you may be representing a diverse group of people – young
Networking and relationship building
Communication and listening
Representation
Time management
Organisation
Presentation skills
Meeting skills
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Who’s who?!
You may be asked to give advice or help solve problems for your class group,
for example, what happens if someone is ill and misses assessment deadlines,
what if someone requires financial guidance – where would they go? What
should someone do if they are having problems keeping up with course work or
The list is endless and could involve problems of a personal nature.
It is important that you do not try to solve these problems – your role in these
providing support and guidance.
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Information I Need To Know
There are many sources of help available. You can begin to build your list of contacts
by finding out the following pieces of information regarding services available to
direction.
Curriculum Quality Leader
Name:
Email:
Tel:
Extended Learning Services
can be found in room
Room:
What are the names of the 4 faculties in West College Scotland?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Friendly
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My Course
Find out the following pieces of information about the course you are representing
and feedback the results to your classmates.
What is the target success rate for your course?
What do you have to do to achieve success in your course?
How successful were last years students on the course?
Where do students most often progress to when they have completed this
course?
What part of the course have previous students really enjoyed?
What part of the course have students found most challenging?
What have previous students said about the course and what impact did
these comments have on the course structure?
Sensitive
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Tips for communicating with
your classmates
Ask your lecturer if you can have a few
minutes at the beginning or the end of class
to explain your role and discuss any course
issues with class members.
Obtain a contact e-mail address for each
member of your class to make it easy for you
to reach them.
Keep a record of any issues your class
has raised and keep them updated on any
progress that is being made in dealing with
these issues.
opportunity to have informal chats about the
course.
Meet with other Class Reps – this can be a
useful way to measure your own success
having in your role.
they want to hear what students think!
008

learning experience at the College. These meetings will take the form of:
Departmental Course Review Meetings – meeting with lecturers and curriculum
leader to discuss any issues relating to your course
Student Experience Focus Groups
from across the faculty, including lecturers, curriculum leaders and Head of Faculty to
Before you Start
Listed below is a selection of words which describe feelings you might experience in
the lead up to these meetings. Circle those most appropriate to how you feel in the
days or weeks before taking part in these meetings...
Nervous Apprehensive Excited Energetic Prepared
Anxious Unprepared Concerned Shy Afraid
Calm Able Uneasy Enthusiastic Composed
REMEMBER, we are here to help you. You can bring someone (a friend, classmate, vicerep
or member of the Students’ Association) with you to the meeting if you wish.
Communicate
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Getting ready for a meeting
Step 1
Collate all the information you have gathered so
far from previous meetings and identify what you
want to bring up at the next one.
Step 2
Go back to your classmates and tell them the main
points you are taking forward. Try to stick to the
main issues and keep points clear, concise and
relating to the learning experience.
Step 3
Attend the meeting (or forward on points/issues to
your CQL if you are unable to attend)
Step 4
Feedback details and the outcome of the meeting
to your class. Agree any further actions that may
be required and refer them to the Meeting Record
that you have completed.
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Tell us
about your
WCS experience!
If you’d like to comment on any aspect of your
time at WCS, please get in touch by emailing
sea@wcs.ac.uk
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Link
Enhance
Develop
New Skills
Sensitive
Communicate
Friendly
Respect
This handbook has been prepared to help you
in your role as a course representative. All comments
in the handbook, and any other information which
you think would be useful in its contents, should be
forwarded to the Student Association.
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t 0300 600 60 60
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