About these resources
Welcome to the Toolkit for learner representatives
The Toolkit for Learner Representatives has been developed to help you in your time as a learner representative. It contains resources that cover the situations that you will experience as a learner representative.
In addition, there are resources for teachers offering a model training session lasting just over two hours, including guidance notes and participants' work books.
Learner representative resources
This section includes everything from getting started, to engaging your fellow learners and gathering their views on quality and curriculum, to how you can influence and improve the wider learner environment.
The core section, 'The basics', covers everything you need to get started and encourages you to think about the important role you can play within your organisation. This section includes some useful resources as well as video clips.
We suggest that you read the basics section carefully first. Then scan the remaining sections so that you know where to find help when you are facing a particular issue or want to explore a particular topic in more detail.
The other sections contain documents that may be of use to you throughout your time as a learner representative. These provide information about confidentiality issues, how to write a presentation and even how to influence people like potential employers and local officials outside your organisation.
To get the most out of being a learner representative, you need to be involved in meetings inside and outside your organisation. This is your opportunity to develop your skills of critical analysis by reflecting on your own education and training.
This is an important skill if you want to carry on to higher education or further training. You will also find that you build the skills to get your point across more effectively - not just about your education but also other parts of your life such as housing and health.
You do not have to sit in silence any more! When you think that something can be taught better or structured in a more learner friendly way you have a right and a responsibility to speak up. Learners throughout England have already made a difference by suggesting new ways to deliver courses that are more appropriate to learners.
As a learner representative, you will see how change happens and learn how you can make a difference.
Teacher resources
Providers of education and training are increasingly being asked to collect, listen to, and act upon learner's views in order to improve the learner experience. This can be done in many ways but many providers are choosing to appoint a number of learner representatives.
These learner representatives act as 'the voice' for their group and can play an extremely important role in ensuring that the teaching and learning they receive is personalised, continually improving, and relevant, as well as impacting on the wider learner experience.
Learner representatives should be trained to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to be effective. This training session has been written to allow you to deliver in-house training to your learner representatives. Some of the resources can be personalised, allowing you to make them appropriate to your particular provider or organisation.