{"id":268,"date":"2025-11-03T10:09:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T10:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/?p=268"},"modified":"2025-11-05T15:26:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T15:26:39","slug":"peer-assisted-learning-supporting-students-building-confidence-creating-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2025\/11\/03\/peer-assisted-learning-supporting-students-building-confidence-creating-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Peer Assisted Learning - Supporting Students, Building Confidence, Creating Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As we settle into the new academic year, I wanted to take a moment to highlight one of the most impactful student-led initiatives we have at Bath:\u00a0<b>Peer Assisted Learning (PAL).<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Over the summer, I had a great conversation with three people closely involved in PAL at Bath:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Penn Mackintosh, a Computer Science student who recently returned from placement and is now a Senior PAL Leader<\/li>\n<li>Dr Tom Arnot, Senior Academic Advisor in Chemical Engineering, who\u2019s helped embed PAL across multiple year groups in his department, and<\/li>\n<li>Pia Brinkschulte, Peer Support Coordinator in the SU, who leads the development of PAL schemes across the University.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Their insights reminded me just how powerful PAL can be\u00a0-\u00a0not just for those attending sessions, but for those leading them, and for the departments that support them.<\/p>\n<h2>What is\u00a0PAL?<\/h2>\n<p>PAL stands for Peer Assisted Learning, a globally\u00a0recognised\u00a0model where students support other students in their learning. At Bath, PAL is part of our wider Peer Support programme and is closely aligned with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si-pass.lu.se\/european-centre-si-pass\">European Centre for SI-PASS<\/a>. It provides a confidential, student-led space where students can revise course materials,\u00a0practise\u00a0vital skills, and ask questions they might not feel comfortable asking in lectures.<\/p>\n<p>Sessions are typically led by trained students from the year above, who know what\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0like to tackle the tricky parts of a course and come\u00a0out\u00a0the other side. As Pia explained, PAL helps students build confidence, communication, and leadership skills, while fostering a sense of belonging in their department.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_269\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-269\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-269\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/11\/PAL-photo-300x224.jpg\" alt=\"A group of students attending a PAL session\" width=\"300\" height=\"224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/11\/PAL-photo-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/11\/PAL-photo-287x215.jpg 287w, https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/11\/PAL-photo.jpg 468w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-269\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">PAL session in action (Photo credit: The SU Bath)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Expanding PAL across the University<\/h2>\n<p>One of the things I\u2019m most excited about this year is the expansion of PAL into new areas. Pia discussed the fact that PAL is hoping to be introduced for Year 1 students in Architecture for the first time, and Pharmacy and Chemistry are both adding PAL to additional year levels. We have also been able to offer PAL for Pharmacy students at Plymouth - a fantastic development.<\/p>\n<p>In Chemical Engineering, PAL is already supporting students across three year groups - Years 1, 2, and 3 - which is unique across the University. This structure allows students who\u2019ve completed placements to mentor those preparing for them. Tom shared how mentoring across year groups not only embeds academic development but also helps students prepare for professional life.<\/p>\n<h2>Why does it matter?<\/h2>\n<p>Penn spoke passionately about how PAL helped consolidate his own learning and gave him the confidence to explain complex ideas \u2013 a skill that proved invaluable when applying for placements - and could also benefit students on placement, study abroad, and for their future career.<\/p>\n<p>PAL also benefits staff. As Tom put it, \u201cIf it\u2019s done well collectively, you save time.\u201d Students who feel empowered to ask questions and support one another often come to lectures more engaged and\u00a0confident.<\/p>\n<h2>How can staff get involved?<\/h2>\n<p>If your department already runs a PAL scheme, now is a great time to reconnect with your PAL champion and support the programme. If your department doesn't yet have a scheme, Pia and her team are ready to help you set one up - all it takes is a willing staff member to act as a champion.<\/p>\n<p>I heard how PAL works best when it\u2019s student-led but staff-supported. Champions help with things like timetabling, Moodle access, and recruitment- and they don't have to do it alone. There\u2019s a growing network of support across the University, and departments are increasingly recognising PAL's value - not just for students, but for staff and the wider learning community.<\/p>\n<h2>A final thought<\/h2>\n<p>PAL is a brilliant example of what happens when we trust students to lead, and when we support them to do so. It builds skills, confidence, and community\u00a0-\u00a0and\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0something\u00a0I\u2019d\u00a0love to see in every department.<\/p>\n<p>So whether\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a student thinking about becoming a PAL Leader, or a staff member wondering how to support a scheme, I encourage you to get involved.\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0keep growing this fantastic initiative together.<\/p>\n<p>Check your department\u2019s PAL scheme or speak to the Peer Support Team to find out how to get involved:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesubath.com\/peer-support\/pal\">www.thesubath.com\/peer-support\/pal<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Contact me directly at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:pro-vc-se@bath.ac.uk\">pro-vc-se@bath.ac.uk<\/a>\u00a0if you have a question or would like to suggest future topics for my blog.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we settle into the new academic year, I wanted to take a moment to highlight one of the most impactful student-led initiatives we have at Bath:\u00a0Peer Assisted Learning (PAL). Over the summer, I had a great conversation with three...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1669,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[42,10,28,22,27,8,11,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-42","category-academic-support","category-careers","category-community","category-employability","category-staff-development","category-students-union","category-support"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":227,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2025\/05\/13\/languages-at-bath-a-vibrant-community-of-learning-and-connection\/","url_meta":{"origin":268,"position":0},"title":"Languages at Bath - a vibrant community of learning and connection","author":"Cassie Wilson","date":"13 May 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In my latest blog, I am delighted to share some reflections from a recent conversation I had with students and staff about the vibrant language learning community here at the University. Our discussion highlighted the incredible enthusiasm and dedication that both students and staff bring to our language programmes and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;careers&quot;","block_context":{"text":"careers","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/category\/careers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A group of students sit in a circle talking","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/05\/52492392906_600811c34d_b-300x169.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":209,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2025\/02\/04\/peer-mentoring-considering-the-benefits-and-future-opportunities-at-bath\/","url_meta":{"origin":268,"position":1},"title":"Peer mentoring: considering the benefits and future opportunities at Bath","author":"Cassie Wilson","date":"4 February 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Before becoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience, I had several different roles here at Bath, at a course\/department level (Director of Studies, Director of Teaching, Senior Tutor) and Faculty level (Associate Dean L&T). All these roles had a large emphasis on coordinating the educational experience for students but also on how\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;community&quot;","block_context":{"text":"community","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/category\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A Peer Mentor speaking to two mentees","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/02\/Peer-Mentoring.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/02\/Peer-Mentoring.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/02\/Peer-Mentoring.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/02\/Peer-Mentoring.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/02\/Peer-Mentoring.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/02\/Peer-Mentoring.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":109,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2023\/11\/17\/reflecting-on-student-welcome\/","url_meta":{"origin":268,"position":2},"title":"Reflecting on student welcome","author":"Cassie Wilson","date":"17 November 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"I started writing this blog in mid-October and suddenly realised it was November and this semester is quickly flying by! However, even though it might now feel like a distant memory, I think it is important to stop and take a moment to reflect on all the amazing welcome activities\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;students' union&quot;","block_context":{"text":"students' union","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/category\/students-union\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2023\/11\/230929-World-Carnival-61.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2023\/11\/230929-World-Carnival-61.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2023\/11\/230929-World-Carnival-61.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2023\/11\/230929-World-Carnival-61.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2023\/11\/230929-World-Carnival-61.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2023\/11\/230929-World-Carnival-61.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2022\/09\/26\/finding-out-about-student-support-student-living-assistants\/","url_meta":{"origin":268,"position":3},"title":"Finding out about student support: Student Living Assistants","author":"Cassie Wilson","date":"26 September 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"For my latest blog, I have spent some time with the Student Living Support Team to find out what we do to support new students to the University and particularly in our accommodation.\u00a0\u00a0 I met with Matt Waldron, Student Living Support Manager, and Jack Ingram, who has just started as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;support&quot;","block_context":{"text":"support","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/category\/support\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/09\/52387994503_47e6890093_c.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/09\/52387994503_47e6890093_c.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/09\/52387994503_47e6890093_c.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/09\/52387994503_47e6890093_c.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":246,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2025\/07\/18\/connection-culture-and-community-supporting-doctoral-researchers-at-bath\/","url_meta":{"origin":268,"position":4},"title":"Connection, Culture and Community - Supporting Doctoral Researchers at Bath","author":"Cassie Wilson","date":"18 July 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"As we move through the summer months, it\u2019s a perfect moment to reflect on the energy and creativity that\u2019s been flowing through our doctoral community - and to look ahead at how colleagues and students from the Doctoral College and academic departments continue to support connection, development, and wellbeing for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;community&quot;","block_context":{"text":"community","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/category\/community\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Image of guests seated at tables at the Doctoral Research Celebration Event 2025","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2025\/07\/54595904108_00d6b83deb_b-300x169.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":53,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/2022\/11\/04\/finding-out-about-student-support-loneliness-and-belonging\/","url_meta":{"origin":268,"position":5},"title":"Finding out about student support: Loneliness and Belonging","author":"Cassie Wilson","date":"4 November 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"As we reach the midpoint between the start of the academic year and winter vacation, this can often be a time when students, and especially new students, may struggle if they are still feeling homesick or have not made the friends or connections they thought they would have by now.\u00a0\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;mental health and wellbeing&quot;","block_context":{"text":"mental health and wellbeing","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/category\/mental-health-and-wellbeing\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/11\/photo-loneliness-blog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/11\/photo-loneliness-blog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/11\/photo-loneliness-blog.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2022\/11\/photo-loneliness-blog.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1669"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/pvc-student-experience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}