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Support For Applicants

The CPD Scheme is a non-taught route through which individuals develop their own application for Fellowship. However, to support you with this as effectively as possible we have developed a range of support materials and opportunities. 

Website

There are a number of CPD related tabs on the webpage providing a short overview of the scheme. The Support for Applicants page in particular contains useful information on the resources available to you. This is also the place where you will find links to the documents contained in the Applicant Support Pack. These links are categorised by descriptor below. 

You can access these by following the onscreen instructions, using your university password, as you would to log in to your computer. 

Access the resources using the links below:

Category Selector Tool

Advance HE’s Level Selector Tool is designed to help colleagues identify the right category of Fellowship for their experience. You can find it at the embedded link and we recommend using it to self-assess your level of readiness. The tool will provide information on which you can reflect. It does not constitute a definitive answer or guarantee success. 

When completing the questions it is important to be honest. You can apply for any category of Fellowship you choose, whenever you are ready. Categories are not Levels and it is not necessary to obtain D2 in order to apply for D3.  

Here to Help

‘Here to Help’ sessions are windows of time available for you to ask any questions raised as a result of visiting the website and reading the Applicant Support Pack. These sessions are a good opportunity to discuss any general queries and put a face to a name. We reserve a one hour slot every Friday morning 9-10am. 

You can book a 10 minute slot within this time window by sending a calendar invite to Aaron (aaron.cooper@reading.ac.uk). If this is not part of your usual working pattern, we can work together to try to find a mutually convenient alternative. 

Feedback

You have access to a number of sources of feedback and we encourage you to make use of as many of these as possible. While feedback is not a requirement for submission it will dramatically improve your prospects of success at the first attempt.  

  1. Initial feedback: we have complied a directory of Critical Friends; successful applicants who have agreed to support future applications. We suggest you engage in two sequential reviews as this helps ensure that you are exposed to the types of questions that are likely to arise at any panel.    
  2. Final Feedback: All applicants can request a 30 minute one-to-one consultation with the CPD scheme manager. We have considerable expertise in what makes a successful application so we strongly recommend making use of the opportunity. 

Power Hour

We are reintroducing group feedback sessions, now inspired by the established power hour of writing. These are optional sessions intended to act as a way of accessing group tutor style support. They will run at three points during the year for the CPD scheme and are designed as open forums to ask questions and share experiences. This should help us address issues around the new PSF as well as act as a way of bringing applicants together as a community, mirroring a traditional cohort. Dates can be found on the Key Dates webpage. Calendar invitations will also be sent to all applicants enrolled on the scheme but there is no pressure to attend. 

Top tips: successful applicants  

As part of our evaluation process we collect suggestions from successful applicants. Below you will find a selection of “top tips” as identified by people who have navigated the process: 
- “Start attending CPD events as early as possible, give yourself at least a month to write the first draft, get every feedback possible from colleagues, mentors”  
- “Utilise the support available early in the process, I procrastinated a lot as I felt overwhelmed and when I reached out for support through the feedback appointments that dissipated”  
- “Utilise all the resources and feedback available (screencasts, support pack, feedback appointments etc), they were so helpful in getting me drafting my final application”  
- “The experience of working towards the Senior Fellowship required patience, persistence, resourcefulness and an openness of mind towards seeing one's teaching activities and their effects, from radically different points of view - those of the effect of one's teaching on colleagues as well as students. This new perspective made me understand my teaching efforts and initiatives more deeply and appreciate their wider, pedagogic implications”  
- “The key is to never give up! Use evidence-based methods to demonstrate your experience and impact on students' learning”

Regular communication 

Aside from information and guidance on applications we also provide regular updates on the scheme, any opportunities or upcoming activities.  

  • Newsletter: The Newsletter shares statistics relating to the progress of the scheme, and provides updates on key issues or activities that colleagues may want to be aware of. These range from opportunities for continued involvement such as acting as a reviewer or critical friend. They also touch on developments such as the release of the new PSF.   You will receive this newsletter as an applicant on the scheme but will also continue to receive it after your award as part of our FLAIR CPD Community.   
  • Fellowship First: On the first of every month we send out a short ‘Fellowship First’ email sharing something we think applicants will find useful (resources to draw on; quick and fun activities to participate in; tips and hints etc).  
  • We also send a termly email to all applicants with important updates.