The Leeds Partnership in practice

The Leeds Partnership expectations can mean different things in different schools and services across the University, so it's important to consider what it means in practice in your area.

You may find it useful to discuss what The Leeds Partnership means during induction week, Student Staff Partnership Forums or during designated workshops.

In your school, for example, you might discuss:

  • how you interpret different elements of The Leeds Partnership
  • how you can demonstrate The Leeds Partnership in action in your school
  • what you can do if your expectations under The Leeds Partnership are not being met.

Student representation 

  • We work in partnership with Leeds University Union (LUU) to support a strong, student-led representation system across the University. One Student Representative will be elected per teaching group. This could be a course, module, seminar, studio or tutor group Representative, who will represent students at Student Staff Partnership Forum (SSPF) meetings.
  • This means that more students are involved in actively listening to students' opinions and passing them on to those attending SSPF and School or Faculty Taught Student Education Committees. This creates more opportunities for students to become Representatives, for student's voices to be heard and for there to be positive, mutually beneficial change.
  • The minutes of the SSPF will be made available to all students, either online or on a notice board.
  • Students can find out who their School Representative is by asking the student support staff in their school, or by visiting the Leeds University Union website.

Find out more about the student representative system

Action planning

  • Students are involved in the preparation and review of annual school action plans through various channels including the SSPF and School Taught Student Education Committees, and through informal means such as academic personal tutorials and student-led focus groups.
  • Student focus groups may also be formed in response to the results of student-led feedback and the National Student Survey. These groups can be used to provide input into guidelines for academic feedback.
  • Schools may offer internship opportunities for students to work on a range of strategic issues such as employability and communications.
  • Students may be consulted in planning for changes and improvements to the physical and virtual layout of University teaching spaces.
  • Students are actively involved in developing new programmes and reviewing curriculum changes.

Staff and student recruitment

  • Students may be invited to observe and comment on presentations during the academic staff recruitment process.
  • Students and staff may collaborate in the recruitment of future students, including attendance at open days and UCAS applicant days.

Advice for students

If you feel that any of the expectations in The Leeds Partnership aren't being met, speak to your personal tutor or course rep first. If it relates to a service, please try their helpdesk or reception as a first contact.

Advice for staff

If you have a question about The Leeds Partnership and its use, please contact your school’s Director of Student Education, Head of School or Pro-Dean for Student Education.

Staff in services can speak to their Head of Service, or email the Communications and Press Office on webcomms@leeds.ac.uk