Implementing our Framework for High Quality Teaching and Learning

In October 2025, the Vice-Chancellor set out five strategic priorities that will provide the focus of the university’s activities over the next 12 months.

One of the priorities is to implement a Framework for High Quality Teaching and Learning.

While the university is on a year-on-year upward trajectory in terms of the metrics related to our teaching quality, and the impact this has on student outcomes, the sector’s performance is rising at a faster pace.

To close this gap, and to deliver on our Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold ambitions and Strategy 2030 objectives of exceeding the sector benchmarks for ‘teaching on my course’ feedback by 2.5% in the National Student Survey (NSS), we must increase the focus on teaching quality and positive outcomes for our students.

What is the Framework for High Quality Teaching and Learning (HQTL)?

The framework is underpinned by six requirements and will shape the focus of our activity. It is intended to be supportive, developmental, and to encourage self-reflection and continuous improvement.

The requirements are:

• Defining high quality teaching and learning at LJMU
• Setting expectations of how to raise the quality of teaching and learning
• Ensuring all staff are qualified to teach and defining what is expected by LJMU
• Establishing a reward and recognition framework for outstanding teaching and learning
• Monitoring and reporting on teaching quality assurance and enhancement
• Enhancing intellectual stimulation, challenge and criticality

The six requirements establish clear standards for driving forward teaching excellence, recognising and rewarding high-quality teaching and, importantly, addressing areas where improvement is required.

All staff who teach are expected to actively engage with the framework. It is founded on the principle that all teachers have the capacity to continuously enhance their teaching and uphold the highest standards in delivering an outstanding student experience.

What progress has been made so far?

The framework was presented to and discussed by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in September, and with several university committees since.  

Meetings have also taken place to discuss all aspects of the plan with key stakeholders including our School Directors, the Academic Quality and Standards Team, Human Resources and Corporate Communications.

Other key actions:

• Work has begun to incorporate the framework into our existing Teaching and Learning Plan (2023 – 2030) and the Education and Student Experience Plan (2023 – 2030)
• The Teaching and Learning Academy are working with the Associate Deans for Education and Student Experience to provide guidance to School Directors on criteria for teaching observations and high-quality performance
• A six-point model has been shared with School Directors and Programme Leads to support better reflection on the outcomes of student surveys and to raise these outcomes moving forwards
• The role of our NSS Champions has been reviewed, and the decision made to rename the role to Student Voice Champion, creating a network of staff that will now look across all aspects of student feedback
• The University Conferment Panel has approved new criteria that better aligns with the new framework under the learning, teaching and student experience route

What are the next steps?

Involving you, our staff, in the implementation of this framework is vital to its success.

Over the next 12 months, we will all play a role in shaping and guiding a whole institutional commitment to teaching excellence.

Our next steps include:

• Undertaking faculty, school, and programme meetings to discuss the framework and related actions to enhance the quality of teaching and learning
• Establishing a Teaching Quality Board to have oversight of the framework, with a first meeting planned for December
• Improving our leadership development and training offer specific to the emerging needs of our academic community
• Implementing a programme to ensure all staff who teach have accreditation through the Higher Education Academy Fellowship route
• Further developing our Teaching Insights Seminar series
• Increasing focus through the Continuous Monitoring and Enhancement (CME) process on high-quality teaching and learning
• Formulating a communications plan to increase the visibility of high-quality teaching and learning to both our staff and student audiences

More information about the framework

Anyone who wishes to look at the framework in further detail can access this via our Teaching and Learning Academy webpages.