In this article, one of our supervisors Sajida, shares with us how the College supports students through personalised supervision. We believe that personal supervision is a vital aspect of any academic programme for supporting the student’s learning, progress, and overall wellbeing.
With the known intensity of the SQE route to qualifying, the calibre of learning for the LLM in Legal Practice , and the professional recognition of our O Shaped Skills modules, we recognise how important our robust personal supervision approach is here at The College of Legal Practice. The College offers a range of written and live individual and small group supervision across our courses.
Having a fully remote learning environment, we understand the importance of ensuring our students feel well supported and nurtured throughout their pathway as this is vital to providing positive outcomes for each student. In this article, we’ll share our unique approach to personal supervision, with the help of one of our supervisors, Sajida.
Introducing Sajida
“Hello! I’m Sajida, and I work as one of our personal supervisors across the GDL, SQE preparation courses and the O Shaped: People & Business Skills module. I’ve worked in asylum law, immigration law, and human rights issues connected to the two. I’ve worked across the sector, from non-profits to trade unions, as well as academically as a supervisor at Manchester Metropolitan University teaching constitution, immigration and asylum law. I’m passionate about giving students the personal support they need to find their own solutions to learning issues, offering a guiding hand to promote self-belief and self-sufficiency - fantastic skills in themselves for any aspiring solicitor!
My involvement in the SQE Prep and O Shaped: People & Business Skills Modules
“As an overarching role, I provide personal support to our students across several courses to ensure they reach their full potential. How this looks, though, differs between each course.
For SQE preparation, I work in a pastoral role as opposed to direct academic teaching. Think of me as a coach and a mentor. I have regular 1-2-1 and small group sessions with students providing advice and guidance on time management, study skills and emotional support. I can also provide guidance on the legal knowledge itself but don’t directly teach the modules. My role acts as that wraparound care that considers the holistic learning needs of each student - we’ll discuss their personal circumstances and commitments, and I’ll guide them on their path through to the SQE exams with their individual needs in mind. Students who are working alongside their prep are very common, so we’ll look at ensuring they can succeed in their work while studying. It’s all about recognising every commitment as equally important.
On the O Shaped modules, I do cross between the pastoral and the academic. We have fewer meetings as these are shorter courses, but alongside my holistic support, I also teach the modules. We’ll explore why the modules exist and how they support students, while I also teach, explain, set and assess written work. These modules are brilliant for supporting skills development alongside legal work, and my role is to ensure students keep making connections between what they are learning, and their legal practice in the now with their employer.”
How we approach supervision as a college
“Whatever the course, we have a really clear-set approach to providing personal supervision. Our role is to help you see the wood for the trees, using our robust knowledge of your course to help you navigate what can be a really challenging, but rewarding part of your learning journey. We have also introduced small group supervisions so students can connect with and learn from each other.
We have a set time to talk specifically about the issues and barriers students might encounter in their specific circumstances, and are always encouraged to make a detailed plan to overcome them. We might look at what’s going on in a particular week or a more holistic issue - it’s however the student wants to go. Say, for example, a student is really struggling with their overall timings with assignments while working a part time job as a paralegal. We’ll not just set a timetable and leave them to it. We’ll encourage the student to look at everything affecting the issue and make a clear path to overcoming it, factoring in how they can keep succeeding at work. We might suggest that they approach their employer about flexible working or study leave, while ensuring all parties are still satisfied. I really encourage students to consider creating a toolkit of resources, apps, and organisational methods that they can return to again and again, supporting their personal agency over doing the work for them. This really helps in the long term.”
Final thoughts
I tell all my students that there are three key things to consider when embarking on their learning journey with us. Firstly, it’s having the right mindset. Be clear, open, and committed to the course, and remember why you are doing this. Secondly, don’t lose sight of the end goal. Finally, really nail ringfencing your time to make sure you keep up with your other commitments.
All our students have it in them to succeed - it’s about having the right support and personal agency to get there. This is why personal supervision is so vital to success.
Ready to start your SQE journey?