Covid-19 FAQs
Information for students
When will college open again to students?
Following the latest Government announcement on 22nd February 2021, face-to-face delivery will be recommencing at Reaseheath College and University Centre Reaseheath from Monday 8th March, replicating the arrangements in place for the autumn term.
In the meantime, all FE, HE and Apprenticeship programmes will continue to follow a remote delivery model. Our staff are all working incredibly hard to ensure the best possible remote learning experience in these challenging times.
I fall into the vulnerable learner category, how do I access the campus?
Vulnerable students, for whom it is essential for their health, wellbeing and progress, are still able to access the campus for on site learning. Students who may fall into this category will be contacted (including parents and carers) by the College’s Learning Support Team in the coming days to discuss support needs and identify who should still be accessing the campus.
Any student who is identified as needing to still access the site for face to face learning will be able to discuss transport needs, with the college aiming to support students in any way we can.
I am a child of a keyworker, can I access the campus for my studies?
Children of keyworkers can still access on site learning if it is considered essential for their safety and wellbeing, anyone in this category wishing to access the college campus should inform their personal tutor as soon as possible.
Any student who is identified as needing to still access the site for face to face learning will be able to discuss transport needs, with the college aiming to support students in any way we can.
I study at an outreach centre, does the same information still apply?
Yes, any students studying at one of our outreach centres, including Croft End and Burrows Lane, will follow the same guidance as is set out above.
Can I access college transport during lockdown?
College transport routes will not be running for the duration of the lockdown. Any charges for the year will be adjusted to ensure students are not charged for the period they have been unable to access these services. We will notify students as soon as the college bus service is able to resume.
I am a residential student, am I able to stay in my student accommodation through lockdown?
College residential accommodation will be closed for the duration of the lockdown. Any charges for the year will be adjusted to ensure students are not charged for the period they have been unable to access these services.
There may be some students who feel they have significant extenuating circumstances that mean they will need to continue to reside on site during the lockdown, any students who feel they fall into this category should inform residential services immediately.
I am due to start/recommence a work placement for my course, will this still be going ahead?
All work placements have been temporarily suspended until at least 19th February, but we realise this may be longer. The college has a duty of care to all of its students and your safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority. We are unable to carry out the same high level of monitoring checks with regards to work placements in the current climate. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide a further update when notice of the lockdown end comes.
In the meantime if you have any questions or concerns regarding your work placement please contact Careers and Placement Manager, Kenny Nolan at kenny.nolan@reaseheath.ac.uk.
Can I use an Xbox or PlayStation to access my online lessons?
You can use your Xbox or PlayStation to access Microsoft Teams, so even if you don’t have a laptop, you can still access your learning at home during lockdown. Here’s how:
For PlayStation:
- Head to your console’s library and choose the option for games and applications
- Select applications and fire up the PS4 web browser
- Type Microsoft Teams in the browser and then log in to your account via your username and password
- This will give you access to all content online, including live sessions
- Don’t forget your headset if you need to interact!
For Xbox:
- Go in to my games and apps
- Find Microsoft Edge and select it
- Type in ‘Microsoft Teams’ and log in as you would at college
- You can then access your work through one drive and use key packages including Word,
PowerPoint and Excel Online
- To move around, use the Xbox controller or plug in a mouse
- Remember to plug in a headset if you need to interact!
It works best if you can use a USB mouse and keyboard, which should just plug-in to your console.
Information on exams and assessments
I am due to sit a GCSE Maths and/or English exam this year, will this still take place?
GCSE exams will not be undertaken this academic year with alternative assessment methods introduced. As soon as we have further details on this we will share another update.
I am a UCR student, are my assessments still taking place?
HE assessments are still going ahead and have not been cancelled. Any amendments to any assessments would be communicated to you in advance. If you have any queries, please contact the UCR team.
Will vocational exams be taking place this year?
Exams for the majority of programmes will be postponed or cancelled. This is perhaps the area that will be causing students and apprentices the most concern and we are currently working hard to interpret guidance as it is released, the college has taken the decision to postpone all on site vocational exams for at least the duration of this lockdown.
The Department of Education has indicated that colleges can make the judgement on whether to run vocational exams or not, the college Executive Team do not believe it is fair or safe to push on with exams under the current restrictions as it would put students and staff under increased risk, particularly due to students travelling from various locations across the UK, this would also disadvantage some students who are unable to travel to college in order to participate in said exams.
Over the coming weeks we will work with awarding bodies to ascertain how we can use alternative assessment methods in order to ensure qualifications can be awarded this year and we are already receiving assurance from awarding bodies that no student will be disadvantaged by this situation. Further information on this matter will be communicated in the coming weeks as we gain clarity from the Department for Education and awarding bodies.
I am an apprentice, will my End Point Assessment still take place?
Apprenticeship off site End Point Assessments will still take place where possible. Your Skills Coach will be in contact with you to discuss this in more detail.
Information about student support services
How do I access the college wellbeing services?
We recognise that many students will be feeling uncertain and anxious at this time. At Reaseheath positive mental health and wellbeing is important to us. Our sector-leading praised student health and wellbeing service will be on hand to support you throughout your time at Reaseheath. There is a range of wellbeing support, advice and guidance available on the BeWell Sharepoint page. Alternatively you can contact the team directly by emailing wellbeingteam@reaseheath.ac.uk
I don’t have access to IT equipment at home, what support is available to me?
Students whose access to IT equipment, such as laptops, computers or tablets is limited at home, are offered various means of support and access to equipment in order to remove these barriers. If it is felt this is the case the student or parent/carer can flag this with the student’s Course Manager or our Learning Support Centre at LSC@reaseheath.ac.uk. The government’s 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific financial barriers to participation so that they can remain in education, further information on how we are using this fund at Reaseheath is available here.
How can the library help me during the current lockdown?
Firstly if you have any books we have renewed them to March 2nd. If lockdown or online delivery is extended we will renew the books again for you so don’t worry about getting them back to us yet.
We will be providing online support only until Reaseheath reopens.
There are help videos and other information on our Sharepoint pages.
You can email us library@reaseheath.ac.uk this address is monitored Monday – Friday 9-5 during term time and regularly in vacations. We can provide 1:1 support on teams by appointments made via email.
We subscribe to a wide variety of e-journal databases, look for the link to Find it @ the Library on the website. A demonstration video is available.
You will be required to login via your institution/Open Athens to gain full text access, again more info on the webpages.
We no longer use Shibboleth for authentication.
I would like to tell Reaseheath College that my email address has changed?
Please send an email to fe-enquiries@reaseheath.ac.uk with your name, student reference number and your new email address.
Information about events at Reaseheath
Will the Live Lambing and Zoo event be going ahead this year?
Unfortunately in line with Covid restrictions we are unable to hold this event in our usual way. We will however be doing online educational activities from 28th February – 7th March. Please keep an eye on our website for details.