Class Rep Handbook 2018-19
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<strong>Class</strong><br />
<strong>Rep</strong>resentative’s<br />
<strong>Handbook</strong><br />
Session<br />
<strong>2018</strong>/<strong>19</strong>
Introduction<br />
Firstly, thank you for getting involved and taking on the role of <strong>Class</strong><br />
<strong>Rep</strong>resentative – a role that we value greatly. The opinions of our students<br />
are integral to our constant commitment to enhance the quality of your<br />
learning experience. As a <strong>Class</strong> <strong>Rep</strong> you will play a key part in this process,<br />
Student Body throughout the year.<br />
This handbook is designed to guide you through the first steps of the<br />
process and will thereafter serve as a reference point for any issues that<br />
you may encounter.
What does it mean to be a <strong>Class</strong> <strong>Rep</strong>?<br />
levels of college life, is to find out what our students think.<br />
As one of our <strong>Class</strong> <strong>Rep</strong>resentatives you will play a very important part in ensuring that<br />
a fair representation of the Student Voice is heard throughout the college. You will be<br />
involved in a range of activities, such as:<br />
Holding regular discussions with your class to unearth any issues or problems that<br />
need to be addressed/resolved and ensuring these are brought to the attention of<br />
two formal course/departmental meetings per academic year or by submitting a<br />
Acting as a link between your fellow class members and the Student Association<br />
by attending three student <strong>Rep</strong>resentative Council (SRC) meetings to look at<br />
Benefits of being a class rep<br />
Being a <strong>Class</strong> <strong>Rep</strong> allows you to get actively involved in<br />
the decisions made about your education. It is a great way of increasing the<br />
quality and standards within the college and can benefit you, your peers and<br />
future students.<br />
Transferable skills There are countless skills to develop as a <strong>Rep</strong>;<br />
negotiation, diplomacy, problem solving and communication skills to name but<br />
a few. These are all skills that can benefit your studies, personal life and in<br />
your future career.<br />
Employability Prospective employers want to see more than just a<br />
qualification and often look for those with the types of skills above. If you can<br />
show you’ve done something outside of your course then this will prove you<br />
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk<br />
003
The Role of the <strong>Class</strong> <strong>Rep</strong>resentative<br />
Your key role is to represent your class group and to keep your group fully informed of any<br />
developments or issues that impact upon them during their time at college.<br />
It is worth bearing in mind that you may be representing a diverse group of people – young<br />
Networking and relationship building<br />
Communication and listening<br />
<strong>Rep</strong>resentation<br />
Time management<br />
Organisation<br />
Presentation skills<br />
Meeting skills<br />
004
Who’s who?!<br />
You may be asked to give advice or help solve problems for your class group,<br />
for example, what happens if someone is ill and misses assessment deadlines,<br />
what if someone requires financial guidance – where would they go? What<br />
should someone do if they are having problems keeping up with course work or<br />
The list is endless and could involve problems of a personal nature.<br />
It is important that you do not try to solve these problems – your role in these<br />
providing support and guidance.<br />
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk
Information I Need To Know<br />
There are many sources of help available. You can begin to build your list of contacts<br />
by finding out the following pieces of information regarding services available to<br />
direction.<br />
Curriculum Quality Leader<br />
Name:<br />
Email:<br />
Tel:<br />
Extended Learning Services<br />
can be found in room<br />
Room:<br />
What are the names of the 4 faculties in West College Scotland?<br />
1.<br />
2.<br />
3.<br />
4.<br />
Friendly<br />
006
My Course<br />
Find out the following pieces of information about the course you are representing<br />
and feedback the results to your classmates.<br />
What is the target success rate for your course?<br />
What do you have to do to achieve success in your course?<br />
How successful were last years students on the course?<br />
Where do students most often progress to when they have completed this<br />
course?<br />
What part of the course have previous students really enjoyed?<br />
What part of the course have students found most challenging?<br />
What have previous students said about the course and what impact did<br />
these comments have on the course structure?<br />
Sensitive<br />
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk<br />
007
Tips for communicating with<br />
your classmates<br />
Ask your lecturer if you can have a few<br />
minutes at the beginning or the end of class<br />
to explain your role and discuss any course<br />
issues with class members.<br />
Obtain a contact e-mail address for each<br />
member of your class to make it easy for you<br />
to reach them.<br />
Keep a record of any issues your class<br />
has raised and keep them updated on any<br />
progress that is being made in dealing with<br />
these issues.<br />
opportunity to have informal chats about the<br />
course.<br />
Meet with other <strong>Class</strong> <strong>Rep</strong>s – this can be a<br />
useful way to measure your own success<br />
having in your role.<br />
they want to hear what students think!<br />
008
learning experience at the College. These meetings will take the form of:<br />
Departmental Course Review Meetings – meeting with lecturers and curriculum<br />
leader to discuss any issues relating to your course<br />
Student Experience Focus Groups<br />
from across the faculty, including lecturers, curriculum leaders and Head of Faculty to<br />
Before you Start<br />
Listed below is a selection of words which describe feelings you might experience in<br />
the lead up to these meetings. Circle those most appropriate to how you feel in the<br />
days or weeks before taking part in these meetings...<br />
Nervous Apprehensive Excited Energetic Prepared<br />
Anxious Unprepared Concerned Shy Afraid<br />
Calm Able Uneasy Enthusiastic Composed<br />
REMEMBER, we are here to help you. You can bring someone (a friend, classmate, vicerep<br />
or member of the Students’ Association) with you to the meeting if you wish.<br />
Communicate<br />
009
Getting ready for a meeting<br />
Step 1<br />
Collate all the information you have gathered so<br />
far from previous meetings and identify what you<br />
want to bring up at the next one.<br />
Step 2<br />
Go back to your classmates and tell them the main<br />
points you are taking forward. Try to stick to the<br />
main issues and keep points clear, concise and<br />
relating to the learning experience.<br />
Step 3<br />
Attend the meeting (or forward on points/issues to<br />
your CQL if you are unable to attend)<br />
Step 4<br />
Feedback details and the outcome of the meeting<br />
to your class. Agree any further actions that may<br />
be required and refer them to the Meeting Record<br />
that you have completed.<br />
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Tell us<br />
about your<br />
WCS experience!<br />
If you’d like to comment on any aspect of your<br />
time at WCS, please get in touch by emailing<br />
sea@wcs.ac.uk<br />
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk<br />
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Link<br />
Enhance<br />
Develop<br />
New Skills<br />
Sensitive<br />
Communicate<br />
Friendly<br />
Respect<br />
This handbook has been prepared to help you<br />
in your role as a course representative. All comments<br />
in the handbook, and any other information which<br />
you think would be useful in its contents, should be<br />
forwarded to the Student Association.<br />
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t 0300 600 60 60<br />
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