Skip to main contentEnter
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Innovative teaching approach contributes to better student satisfaction and retention rates at University of Suffolk

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

The University of Suffolk has showcased its successful "Block and Blend" teaching format at an international conference in Melbourne, Australia.

Why it matters: The approach has improved student retention rates and satisfaction, benefiting those with jobs, parenting or caring commitments.

Dr Ellen Buck presenting to the IBILTA conference
Dr Ellen Buck presenting to the IBILTA conferenceUniversity of Suffolk

The big picture: Block and Blend allows students to focus on one module at a time, with assessments at the end of each module, rather than studying multiple modules simultaneously over a semester.

  • The format combines in-person teaching with online resources for greater flexibility.

  • It was piloted during the Covid-19 pandemic and has since been rolled out across the university.

By the numbers:

  • Since implementing Block and Blend, the student retention rate has increased from 88% to 95.1%.

  • Student satisfaction with teaching has risen from 81% to 87%, surpassing the national average of 85%.

What they're saying: Dr Ellen Buck, Director of Learning and Teaching at The University of Suffolk, called Block and Blend "a real success story for how our students learn," noting that it helps students "focus their learning and spread the assessments through the year."

Student feedback has also been positive:

  • "I like block a lot because it spreads things out it's a lot less stress you get to know your teachers a lot better, your class a lot better."

  • "...the great thing is you're immersing yourself in that subject matter for that time and it bonds you with peers"

Between the lines: The university carefully restructured course content rather than simply compressing existing 12-week modules into shorter blocks.

What's next: The University of Suffolk plans to continue refining and expanding its Block and Blend approach based on ongoing research and student feedback.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

Ipswich's only free and independent news publication

Support our journalism

We can't do this without you! Unlike the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich.co.uk has no banner advertising and no wealthy US corporate owners.

So, if you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for a better Ipswich, please consider contributing just £24 per year.

Every penny matters and allows us to keep producing good quality local journalism that respects your time, attention and privacy.

Become a supporter

Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Load next article