Coronavirus Guidance
Following yesterday’s announcement from the Prime Minister, and in line with other education establishments, the College will be moving to an online delivery model for students and apprentices from today (Tuesday 5 January). This means you do not need to attend College unless you are a:
- vulnerable student
- child of a key worker (such as NHS, police and delivery drivers).
Please be aware, the College is closed to all visitors. All enquiries must be sent to info@cityplym.ac.uk.
The College appreciates that this is a difficult and confusing time, but its priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of its students and staff.
Please see the drop-down boxes below to see how this affects you.
Please click here for information about distance learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students are to continue with online learning following the announcement on Monday 4 January. This means students do not need to attend College unless they are a:
- vulnerable student
- a child of a key worker.
To enable you to continue your studies, your lecturer has uploaded online learning materials onto your Google/Moodle site. Work will be set via regular communication from your lecturer who you will be able to communicate with via e-mail. This will allow you to also keep on top of any assignments and have them marked quickly.
We will keep you informed of developments and communicate with you regarding your studies.
Whilst the College appreciates any disruption to learning is not ideal our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our community. As part of this, I would encourage everyone to be thoughtful and supportive towards each other.
If you have any queries, or you do not have access to IT equipment, please contact your lecturer immediately. If you are unable to contact your lecturer, e-mail info@cityplym.ac.uk.
Exams due to take place up until February half-term.
The College has taken the decision to cancel all exams and assessments that were due to take place up until February half-term. This is not a decision the College has taken lightly as we know how vital these assessments are for our students, but their health, safety and wellbeing – and that of our staff and the wider community – is our top priority.
At present, we await further information from awarding organisations on what this means for students. However, awarding bodies have confirmed that they are in communication with Ofqual and the Department for Education to confirm the next steps and to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by the cancellation of these exams. We will keep you informed once we receive more information.
Summer exams.
On Wednesday 6 January, the Education Secretary confirmed that GCSE and A Level examinations would not take place this summer and that grades will be based on teachers’ and lecturers’ assessments. The College awaits further information regarding BTEC and other vocational qualifications for any exams and assessments that are due to take place after February half-term.
The Government has issued advice on who is classed as vulnerable students – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision.
Following the announcement on Monday 4 January, the College is to continue to deliver all learning remotely.
To enable your apprentice to continue the study element of their Apprenticeship, their lecturer has uploaded a range of online resources and assessment materials onto their Google/Moodle/ePortfolio site. Work will be set via regular communication from the lecturer/assessor who will be available to communicate with you and your apprentice via e-mail. This will allow your apprentice to also keep on top of any portfolio work they are required to action.
Your continued support in ensuring your apprentice is adhering to the Apprenticeship funding guidelines of 20% off-the-job training is very much appreciated. College assessors and reviewers will undertake their work via telephone and online – this will continue for the foreseeable future.
Whilst the College appreciates any disruption to learning is not ideal our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our community. As part of this, I would encourage everyone to be thoughtful and supportive towards each other.
We will keep you and your apprentice informed regarding the return to onsite delivery.
If you have any queries regarding the above please call the Business Engagement and Apprenticeships team, please e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk.
Schools and colleges are expected to be closed to all but vulnerable students and the children of key workers until further notice. The College will alert you of any changes to this.
The College will update this section once it has confirmed which evening courses are affected by the closure.
There is no requirement for students who fall into the exempt groups to attend, but the College will remain open to students in these groups who wish to come in as normal.
The Government has released the list of those workers who are considered key in the response to COVID-19 and whose children can still attend school and college.
To view this list, please click here.
The Government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and to only send them into school, nursery or college if absolutely necessary for their care.
At present, the library will only be open to those students still allowed to access the College site.
For those with books on loan who are unable to return them, you will not accrue fines during this period.
To reset your password for Moodle/Google please e-mail IT Services (itservices@cityplym.ac.uk) with your mobile phone number. IT Services will then give you a call and ask you to confirm a few security questions at which point they will then reset your password and inform you of the details.
The College will issue an update regarding the No36 bus once this has been confirmed.
Students who are not attending the College at present do not need to purchase a bus pass.
Those who have already paid for a bus pass will receive refunds. You do not need to request this as refunds will be paid automatically.
If you have concerns about funding during this period, please direct enquiries to studentfunding@cityplym.ac.uk.