Introducing Teach Well: Principles to Practice
Teach Well: Principles to Practice is an exciting professional development module that is FREE for UoP staff and is ideal for new starters, early career academics, and staff in roles related to teaching or supporting student learning. This professional development module is 30 credits at Level 7 and forms Module 1 of the PGCert HE. It includes asynchronous preparation activities and development activities designed to support learning, reflection and application within your own professional context.
Participants embark on a pedagogical journey through three pillars of practice for teaching well in higher education and gain confidence to critically evaluate learning and design approaches, while reflecting on what it means to teach well across different modes of study. On completion of the module, participants will have developed an understanding of the University of Portsmouth’s Blended and Connected approach, underpinned by the principles of Active Blended Learning; as well as understand what it means to Teach Well, Consistently Well.
The three pillar days are intentionally designed to support engagement with Advance HE’s Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023), providing structured opportunities for reflection and helping participants build confidence in engaging with the framework and its dimensions.
Explore the structure, expectations and assessment approach of Teach Well, while beginning to explore professional identity, reflective practice and the principles that underpin effective teaching and support for learning in higher education.
Explore the principles of effective and inclusive learning design within higher education, with a focus on creating engaging, accessible and pedagogically informed learning experiences aligned to the University’s Blended and Connected approach.
Develop confidence in facilitating learning through active, student-centred approaches, while critically reflecting on personal pedagogies,
professional values and approaches to teaching across different learning environments.
Examine the role of assessment and feedback in supporting student learning, exploring authentic, inclusive and sustainable assessment practices that promote engagement, progression and meaningful feedback dialogue.
This practical module focuses on learning design, teaching practice, as well as assessment and feedback within a strong pedagogic framework. A significant component of the module is the opportunity to apply theory to practice through collaborative activities, peer observation, reflective development, and a micro-teach assessment. Participants will design and facilitate a micro-teach and engage in a professional conversation, supported by a reflective sketchbook that captures their development across the module.
Progression to Fellowship
Teach Well: Principles of Practice is now formally accredited to Descriptor 1 (Associate Fellow) of Advance HE’s Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023).
Throughout the module, participants develop the core knowledge, professional values and areas of activity required for Associate Fellowship. The assessment structure includes a micro-teach and a professional conversation, supported by a reflective sketchbook that acts as an evidence base for reflection and professional development.
The professional conversation is the primary assessment through which participants demonstrate how their practice aligns with the requirements for Associate Fellowship (D1). Successful completion of Teach Well therefore provides a direct route to achieving D1 Associate Fellowship as part of Module 1.
Teach Well: Principles of Practice forms Module 1 of the PGCert HE, and there is a single application for both Teach Well and the full PGCert HE. After successfully completing Module 1, participants can choose to progress to Module 2, which leads to the full PGCert HE and is accredited to Fellow (D2), or step off after Module 1 having achieved Associate Fellowship (D1).
Due to the current Advance HE reaccreditation process for the University’s accredited Fellowship provision, CADI are redesigning Module 2 of the PGCert HE. The module will therefore not run in September 2026 and is currently planned to relaunch in January 2027
Module Focus
Throughout the module, participants are encouraged to apply their learning to their own professional context, using their teaching, support practice, or area of responsibility as the central focus for reflection, discussion and development activities. This ensures that learning remains relevant, authentic and directly connected to individual roles and responsibilities.
The module activities are designed to foster an inclusive environment that supports creativity, critical reflection and innovative thinking. Through engaging workshop activities, collaborative discussion and practical application, participants will explore different approaches to learning design, teaching practice, and assessment and feedback that reflect effective and inclusive practice in higher education.
A distinctive feature of the Teach Well: Principles to Practice module is the use of a reflective sketchbook, designed to capture participants’ ongoing development, reflections and engagement across the programme. Alongside the micro-teach and professional conversation, the sketchbook enables participants to develop, evidence and articulate their practice in meaningful and practice-based ways, creating a personalised record of professional growth. Together, these elements create a collaborative space for knowledge exchange, where participants can learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives across a wide range of educational settings.
Q&A
Applications are open to staff members at the University of Portsmouth only. Unfortunately, students are not eligible to apply for Teach Well.
Yes. Participants are expected to attend all face-to-face sessions. We recommend discussing your availability with your line manager before applying. However, we understand that full attendance may not always be possible and encourage you to contact us to discuss any potential conflicts prior to applying.
Yes. Teach Well: Principles of Practice is accredited to Descriptor 1 (Associate Fellow) of the Professional Standards Framework 2023 (PSF23).
Throughout the module, you will develop and evidence the core knowledge, professional values and areas of activity required for Associate Fellowship. Successful completion of the module, including the micro-teach and professional conversation, provides the basis for achieving Associate Fellowship (D1).
Teach Well: Principles of Practice also forms Module 1 of the PGCert HE. After completing Teach Well: Principles of Practice, you can choose to:
1. Progress to Module 2 of the PGCert HE, which is accredited to Descriptor 2 (Fellow)
or
2. Step off after Module 1, having achieved Associate Fellowship (D1).
Absolutely. Teach Well: Principles of Practice is designed for both new and experienced staff who want to enhance their teaching practice. Whether you’re looking to refresh your approach, share best practice, or explore new ideas in learning and teaching, the module offers valuable opportunities for reflection and development at any stage of your career.
There is one application process for both Teach Well and the full PGCert HE. After completing Teach Well: Principles of Practice, you can choose to progress to the second module to gain the full PGCert HE and D2 Fellowship.
Due to the current Advance HE reaccreditation process for the University’s accredited Fellowship provision, CADI are currently redesigning Module 2 of the PGCert HE. As a result, the module will not run in September 2026 as planned, with the intention of relaunching in January 2027.
Participant Feedback
‘The Teach Well course really motivated me to reflect more on the how, what and why of my teaching, and helped me articulate this better with plenty of exploration of underlying teaching and learning theories’
‘Teach Well helped identify the areas of development required in my own knowledge personal practice which has given me the confidence and skills to support the creation and improvement of teaching and learning activities’
‘The Teach Well course joined up the dots of my prior knowledge and put theoretical concepts into context, the impact it has had on my professional practice has been tremendous. I'm now armed with the ability to ask the right questions when talking to my academic colleagues, so that together we can improve modules and courses from several different aspects’
If you do have any further questions about Teach Well, please contact chris.wood1@port.ac.uk
Link to go here
Application Guidance
- Complete the external application form, using a non-UoP email address if possible (UoP emails can cause issues where the system identifies you as both student and staff).
- Submit the application fully via SITS.
- Ensure you have received an offer email and complete registration before their chosen intake.
- Provide any additional documents (e.g. references, personal statements, passports).
- Add qualifications.
- Complete a fee assessment.
- Respond to automated emails asking for qualifications — these can be ignored.
- Pay any fees at the regis
University of Portsmouth Staff - Enrolment for September 2026 is now open!
By applying for Teach Well, you are confirming that you have:
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Checked that you are able to attend all the face-to-face session dates listed below:
- Introduction Session - (face to face, ULC 5.09) – Tuesday 29th September 2026
- Pillar 1: Learning Design (face to face, ULC 5.09) – Tuesday 20th October 2026
- Personal Pedagogies (online, 10–12am) – Tuesday 27th October 2026
- Pillar 2: Teaching Practice (face to face, ULC 5.09) – Tuesday 10th November 2026
- Online teaching using digital tools (online, 10–12am) – Tuesday 17th November 2026
- Pillar 3: Assessment and Feedback (face to face, ULC 5.09) – Tuesday 1st December 2026
- AI in Education (online, 2–4pm) – Tuesday 8th December 2026
- Optional drop in Session: 15th December 2026
- Assessment 1: Micro Teach (individual times/dates TBC) – w/c 11th January 2027
- Assessment 2: Professional Conversation (individual times / dates TBC) - late January 2027
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Sought approval from your line manager to take part in Teach Well.
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Confirm that you are a current member of University of Portsmouth staff.