Information for trainees
Introducing reflective practice guidance to the STP curriculum
Since the introduction of the NSHCS work-based assessment standards, trainees and trainers have frequently asked the school for more guidance about reflective practice. In response to those requests, we are pleased to announce the launch of reflective practice guidance that we are publishing within the Curriculum Library.
For each entrustable training activity (ETA) and each developmental training activity (DTA) in the Curriculum Library, you can now view a set of reflective practice guidance. The reflective practice guidance is structured using the 4-dimensional model of reflection that the school has been advocating and sharing in our reflective practice resources and webinars. This model invites trainees to think about reflection before, in, on and beyond action.
The guidance is structured as a series of questions or prompts to support reflection at different time points for each training activity. The guidance should definitely NOT be considered as a mandatory checklist. You are NOT expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed. They are simply provided as suggestions and prompts that you can select from. A comprehensive response to every prompt is not required and other approaches to reflection can still be used if preferred.
To include the reflective practice guidance in the curricula we have had to change the Curriculum Library urls for training activities and modules, so if you had these saved you will need to update your links.
Further advice and guidance about reflective practice can be found in the following modules with the Learning Hub:
Supporting trainees with developing evidence for specialist training activities
Supporting trainees with the S-C1 Professional Foundations module
Sign up for our trainees reflective practice guidance webinar
Reflective practice guidance for the STP curriculum – A trainee introduction
Thursday 16 April 2026 – 10:30am to 11:30am
View further details and register for this webinar
Time in the workplace and study time
It has come to our attention that some trainees believe that all university assessments and university study should be completed during their working hours at their workplace. Please be aware that time in the workplace should be used to complete workplace training activities. You do have the 20% protected study time, which works out to be approximately 1 day per week, that you can use to complete OneFile and/or university work.
- Any time required to attend university is in addition to the 20% study time which should be protected within the training plan.
- Trainees should agree with their training officers the location of their study leave; e.g. in the workplace or working from home. This could vary from week to week.
- Trainees and training officers should discuss and agree how to manage the 20% study time which can be taken flexibly; e.g. as 1 day per week or as a block of time if required when preparing for exams.
Read the school’s guidance for trainees about study time
New animations to help you understand work-based assessments
The school has published a series of 3 animations about the various types of work-based assessment, to help trainees, their trainers and assessors to swiftly understand the purpose of each type of assessment and how they should be completed.
The series comprises animations about:
- training activities
- observed assessments
- case-based discussions
Watch the animations about work-based assessments
Information for Training Officers
STP curricula for 2026 are now live
The STP curricula for 2026 are now available in the Curriculum Library. The curricula incorporate the changes from the curriculum rolling review process, which was applied for the first time this year. These changes will be applied to the curricula for the 2026 cohort of trainees. Trainees already on the STP will continue to follow the curriculum for the year they started the programme.
On the school website you can view the changes that have been made, and the reasons for making them.
The curriculum rolling review process will continue to run every year and you can submit feedback to inform the review through the Curriculum Library.
View the STP curricula for 2026 in the Curriculum Library
Introducing reflective practice guidance to the STP curriculum
Since the introduction of the NSHCS work-based assessment standards, trainees and trainers have frequently asked the school for more guidance about reflective practice. In response to those requests, we are pleased to announce the launch of reflective practice guidance that we are publishing within the Curriculum Library.
For each entrustable training activity (ETA) and each developmental training activity (DTA) in the Curriculum Library, you can now view a set of reflective practice guidance. The reflective practice guidance is structured using the 4-dimensional model of reflection that the school has been advocating and sharing in our reflective practice resources and webinars. This model invites trainees to think about reflection before, in, on and beyond action.
The guidance is structured as a series of questions or prompts to support reflection at different time points for each training activity. The guidance should definitely NOT be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should NOT be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed. They are provided as suggestions and prompts that trainees can select from. A comprehensive response to every prompt is not required and other approaches to reflection can still be used if preferred.
From the new 2026 curricula onwards, the reflective practice guidance will replace the specialty considerations. To support trainees on the 2022-2025 curricula, it is provided as a source of support and guidance, to be selected from where appropriate.
For trainees currently on the programme, the addition of reflective practice guidance to modules within the Curriculum Library is the only change that has been made. Trainees will otherwise still complete the same programme they started.
To include the reflective practice guidance in the curricula we have had to change the Curriculum Library urls for training activities and modules, so if you had these saved you will need to update your links.
Further advice and guidance about reflective practice can be found in the following modules with the Learning Hub:
Supporting trainees with developing evidence for specialist training activities
Supporting trainees with the S-C1 Professional Foundations module
Sign up for our trainers reflective practice guidance webinar
Reflective practice guidance for the STP curriculum – A trainer introduction
Wednesday 15 April 2026 – 11am to 12pm
View further details and register for this webinar
Bring your questions to an STP trainers drop-in session
If you’re involved in training for the Scientist Training Programme (STP) we have planned drop-in events throughout the year. You can drop in any time during these sessions to speak to us.
View further details and dates of the drop-in sessions
Time in the workplace and study time
It has come to our attention that some trainees believe that all university assessments and university study should be completed during their working hours at their workplace. We are advising trainees that time in the workplace should be used to complete workplace training activities. Trainees do have the 20% protected study time, which works out to be approximately 1 day per week, that they can use to complete OneFile and/or university work.
- Any time required to attend university is in addition to the 20% study time which should be protected within the training plan.
- Trainees should agree with their training officers the location of their study leave; e.g. in the workplace or working from home. This could vary from week to week.
- Trainees and training officers should discuss and agree how to manage the 20% study time which can be taken flexibly; e.g. as 1 day per week or as a block of time if required when preparing for exams
Read the school’s guidance for trainees about study time
New animations to help you understand work-based assessments
The school has published a series of 3 animations about the various types of work-based assessment, to help trainees, their trainers and assessors to swiftly understand the purpose of each type of assessment and how they should be completed.
The series comprises animations about:
- training activities
- observed assessments
- case-based discussions
Watch the animations about work-based assessments
Missed a previous edition of the STP Monthly Memo?
You will find previous copies of the STP Monthly Memo on our website.