The Centre for Learning, Access and Student Success (CLASS) brings together teams in Learning and Teaching Excellence Within the Centre we have the following teams, supported by our cross-centre administrative colleagues:

• Herts Academic Skills
• Learning and Teaching Excellence
• Technology Enhanced Learning and Digital Capabilities
• Widening Access and Student Success

Visit our Herts Hub site to find out more about the work we do, useful resources and contact information.

Our vision
Our centre of excellence enables student success by ensuring evidence-driven, and innovative teaching, learning and support. We aim to develop compassionate and engaged staff and students, supporting our overall commitment to transforming lives.

Establishing a clear University-wide offer in academic skills support, at the point of need in an easily accessible manner for students is a new area of work for the Centre. Working in conjunction with colleagues in the Schools, this is about providing a co-ordinated offer for all students.

We provide support for staff throughout their academic careers including initial opportunities to gain a teaching qualification and then continuing support to enhance and recognise their learning and teaching expertise. We also support staff applying for the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme and teams of staff applying for the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence. We also endeavour to support partner organisations both in the UK and internationally with bespoke staff development and fellowship workshops.

We work closely with academic Schools and central departments within the University to advise on the adoption of learning technologies, enabling movement from isolated innovation to wide scale implementation. Our expertise supports flexible learning including technology in the classroom, mobile learning and the development of online distance learning programmes. The Digital Skills team support academic staff to develop the digital skills needed to thrive in our digital world. The Staff Digital Skills Development Journey provides an overview of the opportunities staff can expect to support development of their skills as part of their day-to-day work and for career progression.

Through our Widening Access and Student Success work we support the transition, retention and engagement of all students considering university, as well as entering and studying at UH. Working with academic schools to support student centred initiatives, workshops and summer schools, our Widening Access team strives for success for pre-entry and UH students. Our Student Success team ensures students from under-represented and disadvantaged groups have positive outcomes and a level playing field to achieve UH success.