Our latest STEP

Despite the severe weather warnings once again in force, more than 70 colleagues and students from Scotland's colleges and universities braved the wind and rain to join us in Edinburgh on 27 January, at an event to support and promote the progress of projects being developed through Scotland's Tertiary Enhancement Programme (STEP).

(And, not to be excluded by those inclement conditions, our friends from Orkney and Shetland were able to join us remotely for a hybrid session.)

This was our sixth STEP Day, following events in Dundee, Fife, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness.

STEP is Scotland's national enhancement programme and forms part of the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework. Delivered by QAA Scotland and CDN (College Development Network), and funded by the Scottish Funding Council, it aims to drive lasting improvement across colleges and universities through collaboration and innovation. The focus of our current STEP cycle is 'Supporting Diverse Learner Journeys'.

Launched in autumn 2024, STEP has brought together students and staff from across Scotland's tertiary sector to devise, develop, implement and evaluate a diverse range of collaborative initiatives.

Our latest STEP Day gave participants an opportunity to share updates on the progress of their projects and for project teams to get together to discuss, develop and plan the next stages of their work.

The event also saw the launch of two new STEP projects.

An initiative led by the University of Aberdeen and North East Scotland College will involve staff and students as partners in creating resources to equip neurodivergent students with the linguistic and social tools to navigate professional discussions.

Lianne Marriott, from North East Scotland College, said: "North East Scotland College is proud to be collaborating with the University of Aberdeen on this innovative STEP-funded project. Support services are constantly evolving to meet the needs of learners and this is a great example of a tailored approach in action. Our aim is always to give every individual the opportunity to thrive in education, work and in life – by expanding our focus on neuro-affirmative approaches, the goal is to remove barriers and increase opportunities that will have a positive impact on all those who benefit from the project."

Faye Hendry, from the University of Aberdeen, added: "A team of colleagues from the School of Education at the University of Aberdeen, and from the student support team at North East Scotland College, are working collaboratively with students, tutors and partners in professional settings to support neurodivergent learners on professional placements. In particular, we aim to work together to create a toolkit of materials which will support neurodivergent learners to navigate professional dialogue, particularly in challenging situations. We are delighted to have received STEP funding to support us with this important project, and we are looking forward to collaborating across sectors to co-construct guidance and resources which will have a positive impact on student placements in tertiary education."

Meanwhile, a project led by Robert Gordon University will design, test and refine a coordinated model for delivering tailored, targeted and personalized support for STEM students that can be adopted across the Scottish tertiary sector.

Judith Abolle, from Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, said: "Robert Gordon University is delighted to be leading the new STEP project Pathways to Personal Support, in partnership with the North East Scotland College and the University of Aberdeen. By working with students to design and test a coherent model of tailored support across STEM programmes and college university transitions, this project aims to provide the sector with a practical, evidence-based framework that can be adapted across Scotland. Our ambition is that the resulting pathway will not only make it easier for students to access the right help at the right time, but will also inform future enhancement work on personalised support, retention and progression across the tertiary system."

Our STEP team has also announced the date of this year's STEP Conference. Stepping over the Threshold: Inclusion and Belonging in Scotland's Tertiary Sector, will take place on Wednesday 27 May at Glasgow Caledonian University, and will be is open to all students and staff from Scotland's tertiary institutions as an opportunity to share in, and contribute to, the learning developed from our ongoing projects.

"It's so exciting to see how these diverse projects to support and enrich the journeys of our sector's learners have grown and developed, and are now blossoming," said Alison Eales, Quality Enhancement Manager at QAA Scotland. "Students and colleagues from across the nation's colleges and universities are bringing together their ideas, enthusiasm and energy to collaborate on initiatives that will positively impact learning experiences and outcomes for many years to come."

Gail Toms, Delivery and Engagement Partner at CDN, said: "STEP demonstrates the power of collaboration across Scotland's colleges and universities, with students and staff working in partnership to enhance learner journeys and strengthen inclusion and belonging. We look forward to the upcoming STEP Days and to welcoming colleagues and students from across the tertiary sector to the STEP Conference in May, as we continue to share learning, build connections and support lasting enhancement across Scotland's tertiary education system."