The University of Kent’s Academic Practice Team have successfully been accredited to award staff who teach and/or support learning Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

The Accreditation Panel identified many areas of particularly good practice in relation to the team’s accreditation submission. There was evidence of a clear institutional commitment to supporting staff to engage with professional development. The panel also highlighted that engagement with the UK Professional Standards Framework is both encouraged and expected by the institution across all relevant staff that teach and/or support learning.

The accreditation is particularly important for Kent with the impending introduction of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) which is likely to consider, among other factors the percentage of teaching staff who have a teaching qualification such as a PGCHE. Teaching Staff at Kent can achieve Fellowship of the HEA by completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. Graduate Teaching Assistants and staff who support learning who complete the newly designed associate fellowship/learning support route can now gain associate fellowship of the HEA.

If any member of staff requires further information about either of these routes please contact the PGCHE Director Dr Edd Pitt (e.pitt@kent.ac.u, ext 4307).