Reviewing Tool Step 1: Rapid Review

Carrying out a Rapid Review

This is an activity you could do as part of an existing team meeting at college.

It will be most effective if you can involve a range of staff involved with delivering or supporting academic skills provision. 

In the meeting, individually complete the Self-evaluation Checklist below for your course or programme.

Next, compare results and discuss differences in individual evaluations with other colleagues at the meeting. Identify one or more items to prioritise for further work and plan a time for further discussion at a Planning Workshop (Step 2).

The Rapid Review should take around 15 minutes.

You may find it  helpful to use this Self-evaluation Checklist Table.

A more detailed explanation of each prompt, how it can benefit students’ learning, and what colleges can do to review and take action for any of the prompts is available in our Guide to Reviewing Academic Skills Provision in Colleges.

Self-evaluation Checklist 

The Self-evaluation Checklist consists of ten self-evaluation prompts and four self-evaluation criteria. Review current academic skills provision in your college by assigning one of the four evaluation criteria to each prompt statement.

Ten self-evaluation prompts

1. The college has mapped its current academic skills provision. 
2. Current academic skills provision in the college is tailored to meet the needs of different student groups. 
3. Students can engage flexibly with academic skills provision in college. 
4. The college informs students about the available academic skills provision using different methods and channels. 
5. College communications convey that academic skills are integral to academic success for all students. 
6. The college gathers feedback on staff and students’ experiences of academic skills provision. 
7. The college enables academic teaching staff to support academic skills development. 
8. The college supports staff in dedicated academic skills related roles to develop and enhance their practice. 
9. Academic skills provision is monitored and evaluated. 
10. Academic skills provision is holistically integrated with other college services and structures. 

Four evaluation criteria

Review the prompt statements above and assign one of the following four evaluation criteria to each:

1. Yes, and satisfied with progress
2. Yes, but a review is needed
3. No, action is required
4. No, but this is not a priority or not applicable.