Further Education online learning update, DfE guidance
Updated 20th January 2021
In line with the latest Government guidance, all of our teaching and learning across Higher and Further Education is now taking place online. Please be reassured that student and staff safety is of utmost priority. The college continues to be committed to ensuring all students continue to receive their training and learning that meets their course outcomes and that progress is maintained.
Where it has been possible online delivery will continue to run as per timetable and the usual expectations in relation to attendance and engagement will apply to all students as if they were in college on the premises
All Remote Sessions will run through Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Students without suitable tech have been identified and given support with this.
All assessments will continue as normal and planned to maintain the standard of training and learning for all students.
Tutorials are available for all students with their Heads of Year/ Principal lecturers as well as ongoing pastoral support through the Student Services Team who continue to communicate with students with regular check ins .There are Mindfulness classes and resilience classes timetabled in for all students during the week.
We will continue to follow Government guidance and any changes that we are made aware of will be updated here. We continue to keep in regular contact with Students and their parents /guardians via email and telephone if required. For further Government Guidance please see the below link.
Read more on official UK guidance for FE online training here
Read our latest Coronavirus guidance here
What remote education is available during national lockdown, or for students who are required to self-isolate?
All lessons and activities will continue as scheduled, but remotely during the national lockdown.
How will I be assessed?
Our Further Education courses are RSL qualifications. We are waiting on guidance from RSL as to how lockdown any affect the timing of controlled assessments, however, all other assessments will continue virtually wherever possible, and alternative arrangements made for physical assessments where necessary. Your Course Leader / Programme Leader will communicate any changes as soon as possible.
Following the implementation of Centre Assessed Grades for the academic year 2019-20, our college teams are working in partnership with Awarding Organisation RSL to develop existing systems and procedures in preparation for Ofqual’s announcement on how Vocational qualifications will be graded academic year 2020-21.
What is expected of students?
Students are expected to attend all classes and engage with all assessments as directed by their Course Leader / Programme Leader. If individual circumstances prevent this, then students should contact their Course Leader / Programme Leader or Student Support Officer immediately to enable us to assist.
How do students access specialist equipment or remote learning devices during lockdown?
Some students will already have the equipment required to continue with their learning, but not all. Anyone who is unable to access equipment may be eligible for support. Students should contact their Student Support Officer immediately if this is the case and we will investigate all available options to minimise any disruption.
How do students with Special Education Needs and Disability access support?
The ICTheatre Learning Support teams continue to support learners while studying online, and can be reached via their usual email address and college phone number, and any existing support plans will continue throughout lockdown.
How we’re keeping our students and staff safe.
In preparation for welcoming our students, lecturers and staff back into our colleges we have put in place strict measures and guidelines to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone.
Over the Summer months, we have developed detailed plans for each college and building, to ensure the appropriate measures are put in place to be able to safely welcome everyone back into the buildings. Each building we use has undergone a detailed risk assessment and building schematics are in place with designated one-way systems, protective screens, PPE stock and reporting procedures.
It is also important that our students understand their individual responsibility for keeping themselves and their peers safe. In order to make this as clear and simple as possible, we have developed and issued a Student Charter which outlines the responsibilities of our students when they are on campus and these have been shared with students prior to their return, as well as being displayed around the buildings alongside our own commitment to their wellbeing.
Our approach to learning and teaching will continue to be informed by the latest government guidance as we move through the coming months, and we are well prepared to move our teaching fully online in the event of a national or localised lockdown situation. Our fully online teaching model is also available to students who may be self-isolating or unable to attend offline classes in Semester 1.
As always, we are here to help answer any questions you have or provide more information on ICTheatre’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic. If you’d like to get in touch with us, please contact our Admissions Team via email admissions@ictheatre.ac.uk or phone 0344 2 646 666.
