Halesowen College have the Leaders in Safeguarding Quality Mark and have been working with the organisation to ensure the College is Covid-19 Aware. Last month we were recognised as a Covid-19 Aware Institution, which will reassure you the College is doing everything possible to lessen the impact of Covid-19, and support your return to Campus.

Start dates for teaching in the autumn term of 2020 is as follows:

• 16-19 programmes, including A Levels and Vocational courses will begin week commencing 1st September 2020.
• Higher Education programmes will begin week commencing 19th October 2020. Please note: if you are wishing to study the Diploma in Education & Training; FdA Early Years; FdSc Health & Social Care; or FdA Learning Support, these courses will begin week commencing 14th September 2020.
• Adult part time programmes will begin week commencing 14th September 2020.

The College’s Academic Calendar for 2020-21 can be found on our website here: https://www.halesowen.ac.uk/about/key-dates/

If you are an applicant without an offer, we will contact you regarding advice and guidance. 
If you are an applicant with an offer, you will be contacted to virtually enrol in August.

If you are a returning student, you will be contacted to virtually enrol in August.

You will note that virtual enrolment will take place in August.  Arrangements are as follows:

In order to ensure a high quality, inclusive and engaging study programme, the College is considering four scenarios.  The table below details further.  Currently, Halesowen College is at Level 3.  We hope, subject to government guidance, to move to Level 2 after October half term.

If infection rates increase and we are subject to any form of lockdown, we may regretfully need to return temporarily to Level 4.

The College bus service brings students to College from a wide range of areas.  The service is completely free of charge to our students. 

For 2020-21 we have measures in place to manage safe travel, as follows:

• All coaches will be deep cleaned over-night using an anti-bacterial fogging process.
• All coaches will have clear markings on seats, showing where students can sit and where they should not sit.
• Coaches will have touch-points (hand-rails etc.) cleaned by drivers between the morning arrival at college and the lunch-time departures. 
• Coaches will have touch points cleaned between lunchtime arrivals and evening departures.
• Coach drivers will tell students when to disembark from the coach, ensuring that coaches unload in a safe fashion and that social distancing can be maintained.
  

Measures students are asked to take when travelling on College coaches

• Students should maintain social distancing whilst queuing for College coaches.
• Any student exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 should follow government guidelines on self-isolation and should not attempt to board a college coach.
• Any student in a household where there is a suspected case of Covid-19 should follow government guidelines on self-isolation and should not attempt to board a College coach.
• All students should wear a protective face covering while travelling on the College coach. Where this is not possible due to an existing medical condition (such as asthma) then the student should inform College staff at the earliest opportunity (during interview/enrolment/induction). They will be given an additional card as proof, which they must display to the coach driver.
• All students should sit one person to a double seat, in the window position as directed by the markings on the seats. Students should not sit together.
• Students should remain seated on the coach until the driver tells them they are about to disembark.
• Students should allow the coach driver to exit the vehicle first and take up a position socially distanced from the door.
  

A video tour of our safety arrangements on the College’s campuses’ is available to view here: https://www.halesowen.ac.uk/facilities/safety-video/

For 2020-21 we have measures in place to ensure our campuses are safe, and in line with government guidelines.  These include:

• One-way systems
• Increased cleaning
• Sanitiser stations
• Protective shields in social areas like reception and the student HUB

In order to reduce potential virus transmission, we ask that all students and staff pay using card or contactless where possible.  This is our preferred method which can be used across College, including Starbucks, our B63 Bistro restaurant and cafeteria. 

For 2020-21 our College Student HUB will be accessible virtually, as well as via bookable face to face appointment.  Such services include:

• Students’ Union
• Library and resources
• Learning support
• Counselling and student support
• Careers advice
• Admissions and financial guidance

The College’s acknowledges that there will be some students who may struggle to complete their studies with the equipment they have available to them at home.  If this is you, please contact our Student HUB via email: studentservices@halesowen.ac.uk who will be able to share with you more information about the Learning Support Fund for borrowing equipment.

Your Home Drive is now available online via OneDrive. Click the link below to access your College OneDrive and look for a folder named “Migrated Files – May 2020”.

Access My OneDrive

Further to the government’s guidance regarding GCSEs, AS and A Levels, on Thursday 9th April, Ofqual published information regarding BTECs, HNCs and HNDs, Functional Skills and Apprenticeships. Please see below for more information.

On 26 June 2020 Pearson produced a message to BTEC learners who are due a calculated result this summer to help explain how the process will work. They’ve also created a set of frequently asked questions.

• Pearson’s message for our BTEC learners
• Pearson’s frequently asked questions

GCSEs, AS and A Levels

Halesowen College will inform awarding bodies the grades students would have got if they had sat exams. Our staff will take into account evidence such as mock exams and non-exam assessment. Awarding bodies will then use data, such as prior attainment, to decide on a final calculated grade.

A and AS level results will be published on 13 August and GCSE results on 20 August, as originally planned. This will enable progression to higher and further education to take place in the normal way.

Click here to read the Chief Regulator for Ofqual’s message for all 2019-20 GCSE, AS and A Level students.

The message covers:

• How will grades be calculated?
• Do I need to complete any work for to submit a grade?
• Can I see the grades submitted for me?
• When will I get my results?
• Can I take my exams another time?

Vocational Qualifications

Ofqual recognises that BTEC qualifications offer learners similar progression opportunities as GCSEs and A levels, and therefore, the approach that will be taken with these qualifications is similar to the one being used for General Qualifications.

We are awaiting more information to be released. In the meantime, please refer to Thursday 9th April’s published advice from Ofqual, for more information.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/awarding-vocational-and-technical-qualifications-this-summer

Functional Skills

Our learners due to complete their Functional Skills assessment(s) between March and July 2020, will not be expected to undertake their assessment(s).

The Awarding Body will issue a calculated grade based on a range of evidence and data.

We will update this page with more information. Until then, please refer to Thursday 9th April published advice from Ofqual, available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/awarding-vocational-and-technical-qualifications-this-summer

Higher Nationals

Halesowen College’s HNC and HND programmes are being delivered online, continuing to teach and assess where possible. As such, in some situations it will be possible to certificate.

Where there are units or learning outcomes that are unsuitable for online delivery, advice and guidance will be provided regarding ways to adjust assessments or how to select suitable alternative units.

If it is not possible for assessment to continue using the above approaches, we will ask tutors to calculate grades using their professional judgment and supporting evidence.

We will update this page with more information and guidance in due course.

Apprenticeships

The Awarding Body is working closely with Ofqual and the iFATE on how apprenticeships and other vocational and technical qualifications will be assessed and awarded, including arrangements for the adaptation of assessments where appropriate.

We will update this page with more information and guidance in due course.

Please note

Universities have been encouraged to be flexible and do all they can to support students and ensure they can progress to higher education.

If you are not happy that your grade reflects your performance, there will be opportunities to sit exams in the autumn term, or summer 2021.

If you feel that the right process has not been followed, you may choose to follow our appeals process.

Yes the College Nursery is open, with places available for September. To make an appointment, please contact our new Nursery Manager, Jemma Llewellyn via email: nursery@halesowen.ac.uk

Please do not worry, we will ensure you are able to continue your studies, and will be touch with you soon.

Yes, please see our student resources and support services guide here for more information:

Download our Student Resources and Support Services Guide (PDF)

Adobe has provided temporary at-home access for impacted Halesowen College students and staff in order for them to continue their studies and work remotely.

Please note that this only applies to Adobe CC applications which can be installed on your laptop or desktop computer. iOS and Android versions are not supported.

For more information on how to download or install apps, see Download and Install Creative Cloud apps.

Adobe have provided a helpful FAQ which provides some answers to common questions. You can find it here: Adobe – Common questions for Students & Teachers

For Higher Education students to continue developing skills, Adobe offers free “Daily Creative Challenges”. These are guided projects where participants receive creative prompts and connect with pros, mentors, and other students for feedback and support. Click on the app name to learn more: Photoshop, XD and Illustrator. Also, for inspiration and over-the-shoulder learning, watch pros share their creative process on Adobe Live daily at www.behance.net/adobelive.

For staff seeking to engage students during Campus closures, Adobe has curated resources to help them discover inspiring projects, best practices, and new ideas so they can continue to drive valuable learning in virtual environments. For more information on Adobe’s distance learning resources please click here.

Please follow the instruction below to enable access to Creative Cloud Destop Apps on your personal device.

1. Visit https://creativecloud.adobe.com and use your college email address to sign in.
2. When prompted, enter your credentials in the college login screen.
3. From the Creative Cloud website, browse for and download your desired app. Click Apps on the top of the page to view all apps.

Staff who have completed their risk assessment and watched the safety video can now return to campus under the direction of their line manager.

From Monday 13th July, staff absence reporting will take place electronically, as shared with all staff on Friday 10th July. The new system has been designed to make it easier to report absence, to help us to comply with COVID-19 reporting requirements, and to allow staff to upload relevant documents (e.g. teaching work set, fitness to work notes). Managers will receive e-mail notifications when their staff are ill as soon as an absence is reported.

Please do not use the staff absence telephone line.

Your teaching team have been in touch with all students via their Halesowen College email account. The following guides may be useful to you:

• Essential digital tools to help you on your course
• Digital Resources and Services
• A guide to Moodle

Halesowen College students are encouraged to use the College equipment where this has been provided, or access the information via the platforms available on their own devices should they have participated in the Bring your own devices scheme.

Parents and carers may find it useful to talk to their young person about their online life and check the history on phones and computers.

All access to Halesowen College systems are password protected and all students have participated in Staying Safe Online activities, as part of the pastoral curriculum.

Halesowen College are committed to act on any incidents that take place outside the College which impact upon the student wellbeing. Please contact the College’s Safeguarding Team if you have any concerns.

• Lynn Pass: lpass@halesowen.ac.uk – 07458009565
• Haroon Bashir: hbashir@halesowen.ac.uk – 07458064707
• Caroline Walker: cwalker@halesowen.ac.uk – 07458045177
• Sue Crowley: scrowley@halesowen.ac.uk – 07458007696
• Jen Morrison: jennifermorrison@halesowen.ac.uk – 07458045171
• Lee Clulow-Smart: lclulowsmart@halesowen.ac.uk – 07458007697
• Atlanta Hazelwood: ahazlewood@halesowen.ac.uk – 07458064708

You can find more advice and information via these services:

• Internet matters – for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• NSPCC Net Aware – for support for parents and careers from the NSPCC
• Parent Info – for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• Thinkuknow – for advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online
• UK Safer Internet Centre – advice for parents and carers
• CEOP – a law enforcement agency to help keep children and young people safe from sexual abuse and grooming online

If you are an existing student please contact your personal coach. New students can discuss this during your enrolment.

Staff can discuss their needs with their line manager.

For more information, please contact us.

Halesowen College continues to support its vulnerable students. The College’s leads for Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities have identified some key websites and resources which they believe may be useful to our vulnerable students and their families.

If you have any questions or queries, please contact us using the Submit a question option below.

• Government advice on social distancing for vulnerable people

  Government guidance to support families with young people with vulnerabilities, links to government support.

• Government advice on supporting students with SEND during the coronavirus outbreak. Some useful teaching links for students with specific learning disabilities.
• MIND, a good, clear and comprehensive site regarding mental health and wellbeing
• Anxiety UK
• British Association for Supported Employment

  Information for students who would have been working as part of their college course, useful information about your job and support whilst the business is unable to support you in work.

• Books beyond words, advice, and free downloadable book

  Books beyond words have produced some books without words to explain some of the confusion surrounding the coronavirus for student with a learning disability or communication difficulties.

• Mencap, an easy Coronavirus reading guide

  A guidance about the coronavirus in an easy to read format for students with learning disabilities.

• National Development Team for Inclusion

  A website that includes links to support the rights of students with disabilities and their families during the current pandemic.

• National Autistic Society, includes resources and tips online, and a social story

  Supporting resources for people with autism and their families, some great case studies of autistic peoples experience during the lockdown.

• Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses

  Helpful link to explain the procedures to claim universal credit during the pandemic.

• Place2Be – Children’s Mental Health Charity
• Counselling Changes Lives

Firstly, thank you for applying to study with us, and we look forward to welcoming you! Following the guidance from Public Health England, we have decided to postpone face to face interviews.

We appreciate exams and assessments have been suspended, and ask that you do not worry about your College place with us. A member of staff will work with you at enrolment to ensure you continue your education on a course that is right for you and will allow you to flourish and succeed.

• If you have an Educational, Health and Care Plan, we will need to consult with your Local Authority to ensure we can meet your needs.
• If you are a care experienced learner and need additional support, please get in touch and let us know.
• If you have a criminal conviction, a member of staff will be in touch to help you with your application so that you can start with us in September.

If you require further information you can contact the Student HUB via email: admissions@halesowen.ac.uk

If you have not already applied for one of our courses in September, please do not worry. You can apply for a place by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button below.

Apply Now

If you have not already applied for one of our courses in September, please do not worry. You can apply for a place by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button below.

Apply Now

We look forward to welcoming you! We appreciate all exams and assessments have been suspended, and ask that you do not worry about your College place with us. Halesowen College will work with you at enrolment to ensure you continue your education on a course that is right for you, and will allow you to flourish and succeed.

If you require further information you can contact the Student HUB via email: admissions@halesowen.ac.uk

Halesowen College have put in place the following arrangements to those in receipt of bursary payments:

• Students who usually receive a meal allowance will have a transfer into their bank account on a weekly basis. The payments will cease at the end of this academic year which is week commencing 13 July 2020, unless the College receives further government guidance.
• The College will continue to pay for childcare, where this has already been agreed.
• Students in receipt of the vulnerable bursary will continue to receive the payment weekly, excluding the two weeks planned for Easter break.

If you require further information you can contact the Student HUB via email: admissions@halesowen.ac.uk

The Student Loans Company are providing updates and guidance on the GOV.UK website.

You can find out more here: SLC – Guidance for prospective students.

Many universities have set up support remotely for students worried about their offers. Some are using Unibuddy with online chat facilities or have set up remote access for enquiries. Students need to visit the relevant university pages to gain access.

Students can also access our Careers Moodle pages here: Halesowen College Careers