FROM ACORN TO OAK TREE: RECOGNISING AND SHARING INNOVATIVE, INSPIRING AND EXCELLENT PRACTICE IN HIGHER EDUCATION

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) developed in 2016 by the Department of Education in England, is of paramount significance to Higher Educationalists. However, meeting imposed judgements and criteria can often divert attention from practices at the chalk face and the real purpose of learning. This poster presentation aims to showcase the University of Worcester’s strategy to engage staff, at all levels, with excellent teaching practices through recognising, rewarding and sharing innovative, inspiring and excellent practice which is outstanding in its impact to enhance and inspire student learning.

The University of Worcester’s reward and recognition scheme for teaching excellence was developed in 2016. The scheme, is aligned with the United Kingdom Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) developed in 2011 and seeks not only to reward practice but also to support career progression for Higher Education Academy Senior Fellow applications, University promotion schemes, professorships and National Teaching Fellowship awards. Furthermore, submissions to the scheme are written in case study form so as to enable easy transference and wider sharing from internal to international dissemination.

Sharing our journey and experiences, from this ‘acorn’ as it grows into an ‘oak tree,’ may inspire others’ practice as we move towards teaching excellence.