COVID-19 (coronavirus) update: arrangements for learners

Bishop Auckland College is closed to all learners from Friday March 27th. This follows the move to remote teaching and assessment for the majority of learners on Monday (23rd), in line with Department for Education guidance.

The college remained open during the week commencing March 23rd for vulnerable learners (defined by the Government as those with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or social worker) and those whose parents/carers are critical workers. However, following the Government’s escalation of social distancing measures and subsequent discussions with parents/carers, the small number of young people who were still attending have now taken the decision to stay at home. This has resulted in full college closure.

The College Nursery will, however, remain open for the time being for children whose parents are deemed critical workers as defined by the Government - for more information see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

All other staff and learners are now working remotely from home. For advice on accessing online learning resources and remote tutor support visit: https://bacoll.ac.uk/Documents/2020/3/Student-Guide-to-Online-Learning.pdf

For the latest advice from the NHS and Public Health England on COVID-19 (coronavirus) visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

We remain committed to supporting all of our students and staff during these difficult times. Please monitor the website and our social media channels for regular updates.

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Current learners

Although the college is closed, it is very important that you carry on your studies, working remotely, in order to complete your qualification successfully this summer.

You will either have been provided with printed work to complete, or your tutor will have uploaded work to the college’s online platform Moodle.

As a reminder, you can access Moodle from home by going to http://portal.bacoll.ac.uk/ and logging on using your email address and password as usual. You will find work there to complete and you will be able to communicate with your tutor.

You will be able to contact your tutors either through Moodle or by email; if you aren’t sure of their email address, all staff college email addresses follow the same format, e.g. john.smith@bacoll.ac.uk forename.surname@bacoll.ac.uk). Staff will also keep in touch through telephone calls, text messages and social media where that is appropriate.

You will receive regular telephone calls from your tutors to check on progress and provide you with support over the telephone. For full-time students, your progress mentor will also be in touch on a weekly basis.

Progress Mentors can be contacted by email and their mobile between Monday to Friday. The college also has a general enquiries line that will be open from 8.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am until 4pm on a Friday:

email: enquiries@bacoll.ac.uk
tel: 0800 092 6506 or 01388 443000

For more advice on accessing remote support visit: https://bacoll.ac.uk/Documents/2020/3/Student-Guide-to-Online-Learning.pdf

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Applicants

Don't worry about your application for September!

Your place is confirmed, subject to the usual entry requirements.

All applicants who have face to face interview appointments booked at the college will now receive a telephone call and an informal discussion with a tutor.

All new applicants (who do not already have an appointment booked) will also have a telephone interview arranged and we will be in touch soon to organise this.

You will be invited into college for a tour and to meet tutors once we have reopened.

If you have any problem with having a telephone interview – or you have any other queries about your application or about course information - please contact the college’s admissions department at enquiries@bacoll.ac.uk or 01388 443000.

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Student support

We understand that you may be feeling nervous or anxious at this time and all the pastoral support systems will remain in place, including the emotional resilience nurse. If you have any safeguarding concerns you should immediately contact your tutor or progress mentor.

College Allowance

All eligible students will continue to be paid their College Allowance on a monthly basis, on the second Friday of each month, while remote learning continues.

Free school meals

While eligible learners are remote learning, the free school meals allowance will be paid into your bank accounts on a weekly basis. This will be to the value of £7.80, based on three days at £2.60 per day.

Safeguarding and mental health support

If you don’t feel safe or you have a concern about someone else, we have a number of links to external services for supporting with a wide variety of mental health issues and these can be found on Moodle under the tile ‘Mental Health Handbook’.

For full advice on student support services during the shutdown visit: https://bacoll.ac.uk/Documents/2020/3/Student-Guide-to-Online-Learning.pdf