An update from Andrew Kaye, Principal and Chief Executive (June 2020)
This has been an incredibly uncertain and challenging period for all of us, but I have been immensely impressed with how well our students have worked during this time. This update focuses on how qualifications are being awarded to those who have completed them and about the College’s plans for the next academic year.
Qualification achievement
Ofqual have now issued their guidance on how to award technical and professional qualifications. Managers and teachers are working hard to see what this means and they will update you (as appropriate) on how your qualification is going to be awarded and if there is a requirement for you to attend the College to complete any assessments.
If you are still unsure, please do check with your tutor in the first instance. The following link is also useful in helping decipher the information around qualification achievement:
https://analytics.ofqual.gov.uk/apps/AllQualifications/summer2020tool/
Progression information
If you are progressing onto the next year of your course, or onto a new course with the College and returning next academic year, you will have by now received your conditional progression offer, via email. If you have any questions or queries regarding this offer or if you have changed your mind and would like to submit another choice, please contact our dedicated Careers Centre Team by emailing info@fareham.ac.uk. Please look out for our new Careers advice page https://www.fareham.ac.uk/careers-advice/. This page on our website directs visitors to a range of careers resources and will be of good use to you if you are interested in applying for a part time job, or looking for work experience to support your time at College. It also has a range of resources if you are interested in Apprenticeship opportunities and/or progressing into full time employment after you finish college.
Our qualified Careers Centre Team are available if you have any enquiries regarding your course, college place and/or next steps, and they can be contacted by emailing info@fareham.ac.uk. This week, week commencing 15 June, the team will also be available via live chat on the College’s website, to answer questions on the following days and times:
- CEMAST and Hair and Beauty – Tuesday 16 June 2pm – 3pm
- Creative Industries and Sport and Uniformed Services – Wednesday 17 June 11am – 12noon
- Apprenticeships – Wednesday 17 June 2:30pm – 3:30pm
- Business, IT, Hospitality and Catering – Thursday 18 June 11am – 12noon
- Construction and Healthcare and Early Years – Friday 19 June 11:30am – 12:30pm
Pre-enrolment
If you are progressing onto a new course or level, you will receive a call from your Course Leader week commencing 6 July. During that call the Course Leader will provisionally enrol you onto the course. This is a good opportunity for you to chat with your Course Leader and ask any questions you may have.
After the enrolment call, you will receive your college account details via email, by way of a reminder. These details will give you access to your College email and the course Office 365 Teams account. The course Teams account will contain course materials added throughout the summer and provides an opportunity to ‘ask the expert’ any concerns, queries or questions you may have. It also gives you the opportunity to meet other students on the course ‘virtually’ before the start of term.
Results Day
13 August is Level 3 Results Day and 20 August is GCSE results day. If you are due to receive any results and need to speak with someone regarding your College place and/or next steps, our Careers Team are available. You can contact them by emailing info@fareham.ac.uk or telephone 01329 815229.
Enrolment
From 24 August our full time enrolment starts. You will receive an email from the College specifying the date and time of your face-to-face enrolment appointment. Please ensure that you keep this date and time free so you are able to attend your appointment.
7 September is the start of term. You will receive your individual timetable which details the days and times you will be required to attend college.
The Autumn Term
We are working hard to plan how the start to the new academic year is going to look. With the guidelines around social distancing and the reopening of schools and colleges under constant review we are unable to confirm just yet the specifics of your timetable, but we can share with you our September Commitment. In September we will provide you with:
- rich, interactive, online resources for learning to enhance the classroom teaching you will undertake. We have invested in a brand new Virtual Learning Environment to further excel in online teaching and learning
- access to outstanding facilities. We have invested a further £1m at our Bishopsfield Road Campus to enhance our teaching spaces, with significant improvements in Digital Technologies and Early Years Education for our new T Level courses. We have invested at CEMAST too, with improved resources in the workshops
- one-to-one support through our team of Success Coaches who will support you in achieving your career goals and will work to help you excel academically
- support for English and Maths with dedicated coaches who will work with you in small groups or one-to-one if you need to re-sit English and/or Maths GCSE
- access to a wide range of student support services including health and wellbeing, financial support and travel.
We will also ensure your safety and welfare, and we have a robust risk assessment in place to ensure all of our staff and students are protected within the College environment.
Please do not forget to follow us on social media to keep updated and please check your student email account for further information.
Take care and stay safe and alert.
Andrew Kaye
Principal and Chief Executive
Additional advice on Coronavirus
