Ms Clare Austick:

I cannot reiterate enough how important the engagement with students is. This can be done through not only the national student engagement programme specifically referred to under head 43 but also the student forum. The one concern we have is that the operational detail of this is still missing. The student forum has huge potential to engage with students and to look at the future direction of education and how we can support students and enhance the overall student experience, particularly with the student survey. We are in partnership with the TUI, the USI and the HEA on the survey. It reviews annually the student experience from the academic side of things but, as we always mention, the student experience is far greater than just its academic side. It is all about being able to engage the learning that often takes place outside of the classroom while being able to respond to different things emerging throughout the year by ensuring that the student voice is at the centre and at the top of the table and that as issues arise in that regard they can be addressed immediately and over time to ensure a better, enhanced student experience for everyone.