Updated 24/02/2021 @ 13:00
Further to the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday, you will be aware that the intention is for our students to return to college during the week of Monday 8 March (7 March for Sparsholt residential students) – Friday 12 March.
We are currently digesting the lengthy guidance which has been issued by the Government and working through plans for the safe return of our student community. When students return they will be asked to undertake three COVID tests in college over the first two to three week period. Once these initial three tests have been completed at college, students will be given tests to be taken at home.
We will write to all students (and parents of all under 18 year old students) over the next few days advising of the day of the week that they will be coming back on campus. On their first day back students will be asked to take a COVID test where consent has been provided. We thank the vast majority of parents and guardians of under 18s for having completed their COVID Test Consent Forms. If you have not yet done so please return your consent, as a matter of urgency, when we resend the link to you in the coming days.
We have been so impressed by and grateful for our student community’s response to online learning. We can’t wait to see you all back on campus and we look forward to your continued commitment to your learning and to the safety of your fellow learners and college community.
Updated 22/02/2021 @ 16:30
The government has announced to parliament the roadmap for the easing of restrictions and a return to learning in England. We will be in touch directly with all students about the specific arrangements for you and your course as soon as we can.
Updated 06/01/2021 @ 17:00
We are working hard to be able to deliver all externally scheduled exams where possible during January and February. Whilst students are encouraged to attend exams where possible, please advise us if you are unable to attend either for safety concerns, health reasons or any other reason, and we will continue to provide ongoing support in liaison with the awarding organisation. We will provide the opportunity for a voluntary Covid Lateral Flow Test in advance of the exam.
In line with our previous advice that we will not charge for unused college transport or on-site accommodation during periods of lockdown and appreciating that this is a difficult time for many, we intend to suspend the payment plans for Sparsholt Campus on-site accommodation and college transport for the months of March and April. This will apply to those who have not used college contracted coaches, unused Stagecoach services or accommodation services during January and February 2021. We will of course then conduct a full reconciliation of all accounts once we have a date for return to on-site/face-to-face delivery.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty at this time, please email creditcontrol@sparsholt.ac.uk and we will discuss a revised payment plan with you. The college is also contacting Stagecoach and South Western Railway to establish if they will reimburse the cost of passes purchased via the college for the period of the lockdown and we will update users once we know their position.
We know how difficult the reality of another lockdown is and that it impacts our whole community. Should you need any points of clarification in relation to arrangements, if you are experiencing any difficulty in accessing technology to learn from home or if you feel that you need additional support, please can we ask you to contact your Progress Coach who will be pleased to assist or facilitate the specialist support according to your needs.
Click here to read our Remote Learning Pledge.
When students return to college, we expect to continue to be required to deliver a testing service. Any student being tested will to need to give consent on the day of testing, and no student aged under 18 will be tested without both parent/guardian consent in addition to their own consent. The consent form is included in an email sent to all students/parents with instructions detailing how to return it to us.
Find out more about our testing service here.
We understand that this can be a worrying time for some of you returning to your studies, there are a range of resources on Sparsholt Student Services page on Moodle which you may find helpful to support you at this time.
The Wellbeing team are continuing to work to support you and can be contacted on wellbeingteamsparsholt.@sparsholt.ac.uk.
Find out more about our Wellbeing support here.
Students who are facing financial difficulties can contact Student Services for information, advice and support. Please email studentfunding@sparsholt.ac.uk
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement this evening of a second National Lockdown, we are cancelling all Covid testing planned to happen at Andover College, University Centre Sparsholt (UCS) and Sparsholt College with the exception of all Foundation and EHCP learners who have a pre-arranged test slot.
In accordance with the instructions that we have been given, the vast majority of College delivery will move to online delivery until after February Half Term.
If you are a Foundation learner or a learner with an established EHCP in place we will have already been in contact with you and you are able to continue to access face-to-face onsite learning at your discretion. We are seeking immediate clarification from the Department of Education for Veterinary Nursing (VN) learners and will update all VN learners tomorrow as to whether learning will be in person or online.
Finally, we are seeking clarification regarding National exams that have been scheduled over the coming few weeks. We expect that most scheduled exams due to happen during January and February will go ahead but we will contact everyone due to undertake an exam as a matter of urgency, by telephone, to clarify arrangements. Where exams are happening in person, we will provide the opportunity for a voluntary COVID test in advance of the exam.
Should you need any points of clarification in relation to arrangements until Half Term, please contact your Progression Coach who will be pleased to assist.
The college has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment of which the current version is available by request from here.
Sparsholt College’s dedicated staff have been working hard to implement a range of safety measures across the Sparsholt site, ensuring you feel safe and secure when arriving at our countryside campus.
Find out more from our Principal Julie Milburn below, or read more here.
The college has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment of which the current version is available by request from here.
Updated 26/10/2020 @ 16:00
We have created a Covid-19 information guide for students, parents and carers. Please follow the advice in this guide to keep the Sparsholt community safe. Click here to view this guide.
The main symptoms of COVID-19 have been identified as:
If you have any of these symptoms, we ask that you DO NOT come into College and arrange to take a test.
If you are using College or Public Transport and the driver believes you have any symptoms, they have the right not to bring you into College.
If you attend College with any of these symptoms or they develop whilst you are at College, you will need drive yourself home or be picked up by your next of kin and taken home. You will be provided with written instructions on booking a test and reporting the results to the College.
ANYONE with symptoms should then self-isolate until they have received a negative test result back. If anyone you live with has symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 you should NOT COME to College and self-isolate for 14 days or until that person receives a negative test result back.
Please contact the College if you are unable to attend. Call 01962 797311 or email absent@sparsholt.ac.uk before 11.00am each day. Please do not just contact your Progress Coach or anyone else as that will not be recorded as a notified absence.
If you become ill, you should:
Updated 02/09/2020 @ 16:30
In line with the latest Government guidance, all students, staff, and college visitors will be expected to wear face coverings in communal areas whilst on site. This includes corridors, shops, toilets, catering outlets and the library (prior to sitting down). We are also requiring all students travelling to college to wear face coverings on college arranged transport.
They will not be required in classrooms, sports facilities, offices or outdoor spaces.
If you are exempt from wearing face coverings, this will be discussed and recorded on your arrival to college.
The Wellbeing team, based in Student Services, can help and support you remotely or in person. Studying at college in a subject that you’re passionate about is exciting, but it can be daunting too especially during the current situation. We know how important it is to stay focused on your studies but we recognise that life can get in the way sometimes. If you are finding things difficult, it is important to know that you are not alone.
At Home
For self-help information, video clips, links to websites and general support information, please see Sparsholt Student Services page on Moodle.
On Campus
For support with anything that is affecting your enjoyment at Sparsholt, please contact the team to arrange a meeting on wellbeingteamsparsholt@sparsholt.ac.uk. Alternatively you may pop into student services during our opening times to arrange an appointment directly.
If you would like to refer to our counselling service, please see the learner counselling section on Moodle. There is a short referral form to complete, then our counselling coordinator will contact you about arranging an appointment.
View the latest information from ofqual here.
View the latest information on COVID-19 from the Government
View the latest information from the NHS