An update from NSCG Principal, Karen Dobson OBE

Current NSCG students who are returning in September

Thank you for embracing new ways of working and keeping on top of your studies during lockdown, the vast majority of students have engaged brilliantly and we have been delighted to see such high levels of participation. We hope you’ll enjoy a rest over the summer months and be ready to return refreshed at the start of the new academic year in September.

Students who are looking to go to university in 2021 should take the time over summer to research courses and institutions and work on crafting a strong personal statement. Support materials can be found here.

We are continuing to follow Government guidance to help us prepare for the new academic year and are currently planning for multiple scenarios for when you return in September, including full classroom delivery, remote learning and a blended approach. Term will commence during w/c 7th September and our faculty administration teams will be in touch over the summer to confirm specific plans for the start of term and provide you with details of your timetable.

Students who would have taken GCSE exams during the summer will get their results on 20 August 2020. We will write to you in advance of results day to confirm details of how you will be able to access your grades.

If you’re yet to confirm your progression plans or need any further advice or guidance, please contact your Personal Tutor in the first instance.

We look forward to welcoming you back in September.

Current NSCG students who are leaving NSCG this summer

For students who’ll be progressing from NSCG to the next stage of their educational or career journey this summer, the focus has been on completing your programme of study, achieving the best possible outcomes and supporting you in readiness for your next steps. We hope you feel well informed and prepared, however, recognising that these are uncertain times; we remain on hand for any support, advice or guidance you may need. Please get in contact if you feel you need further careers advice, help with a last minute university or apprenticeship application or want to find out more about HE courses at NSCG – we are here to help.

A Level results will be available on 13 August 2020 by appointment only. We will write to you in the next few weeks to confirm when and where you will be able to collect your results, and provide details how you can access further support if needed, to prepare you for your next steps.

The national BTEC Level 3 results day is 12 August 2020 and BTEC Level 2 results day is 19 August 2020, however there are a few exceptions to this. As soon as your results are ready, we’ll send them to you in the post with details on how you can access further support, if needed to prepare you for your next steps.

A reminder of how grades will be calculated this year can be found here.

We are really disappointed not to be able to send progressing students off with the usual fanfare, however we hope you’ll stay in touch with life at NSCG by following our social media channels and joining the College alumni network, further details of which can be found here. You’ll find the NSCG 2020 Celebration Awards videos on our College Facebook page where you’ll also be able to hear about some of the ‘Class of 2020’ leavers activities that our Marketing Team have in the pipeline.

On behalf of the entire staff team at NSCG, we wish you every success as you progress on to the next stage of your journey. Be proud of your achievements and thank you for your contribution to our college. As you go forward in your lives, always remember to demand more of yourself, be determined and resilient, dream big and go further than you thought you could go, show respect and be kind to yourself and to others.

Apprentices & Employers

As a Group, NSCG works with a wide range of employers who will all have individual policies and procedures in place for their employees during this period. Apprentices are encouraged to contact their workplace Mentor or Assessor if they have any immediate concerns.

Where possible, our Work Based Learning Assessors will continue to liaise with apprentices to provide telephone support and online learning resources.

During this time, we will continue to follow advice from the Department for Education and Institute for Apprenticeships and should guidance change over coming weeks, we will continue to support apprentices and keep our employer partners updated.

Apprentices or employers who need advice or support can reach our Work Based Learning Team at: apprenticeships@nscg.ac.uk.

New students joining NSCG in September

Firstly, if you have not already applied, there is still time to do so. Our friendly team will be on hand to provide information, advice and guidance should you need it. We’ll ensure that there is a place for you at NSCG, on the right course at the right level.

If you have already applied and had your interview, it is important that you confirm your place. If you need further support or advice about the course you have chosen, please contact the faculty team or email info@nscg.ac.uk.

Any learners who applied during the lockdown period will be invited to a welcome event in August, where you’ll have the opportunity to hear from subject staff and have a brief tour of our facilities.

We are planning that course enrolment will commence from 20 August 2020. We write to you a little nearer to the time to confirm the date that you will need to come to college to enrol, and what you’ll need to bring with you.

A Level students: For students on an A Level programme, term will commence on Wednesday 2 September, with a number of compulsory progression activities planned throughout the week, lessons will commence from Monday 7th September.

For all other students term will commence officially during w/c 7th September and you’ll learn more about specific plans for the start of term when you come to your enrolment session. We are continuing to follow Government guidance to help us prepare for the new academic year and are currently planning for multiple scenarios, including full classroom delivery, remote learning and a blended approach.

We understand that this is an unusual and unsettling time for students and some applicants may be feeling apprehensive about their next steps. This is understandable given the circumstances, and we want to reassure you that in choosing NSCG, you have chosen a college rated ‘Outstanding’ for the support it provides students. We will be on hand to support your transition from school to college, with a warm and friendly welcome and detailed induction plans to make sure you find your feet and get your learning back on track.

Curriculum teams have already been in touch with most applicants to set summer work, answer queries and ensure new students feel as prepared as possible for college life, and further resources and welcome videos will be available to all applicants in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on your emails and our social media pages for further details.

In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy the summer and we look forward to welcoming you to NSCG in September.

Higher Education Students

Learning and teaching from September: We want to provide you with reassurance around how we are planning to deliver outstanding learning and teaching experiences from the start of the new academic year in September 2020.

However, we acknowledge that these are unprecedented times and there remains much uncertainty in what the future holds.

While none of us know how the global health emergency will evolve over the summer, we can assure you we have a robust learning and teaching strategy in place to provide you with all the support you need to achieve the study success you deserve.

Delivery: From September we will welcome new and returning students and we hope that this will be face to face teaching. However, we may use a mixture of face-to-face campus-based and online teaching, with provision adjusted to meet with the latest Government advice.

Your safety and success are our absolute priorities. We will follow all government advice for your wellbeing, and deliver outstanding learning experiences to help you achieve the career you deserve.

We already utilise a number of online learning experiences, including 24-7 access to iSite, where you’ll find a wealth of resources from your teaching staff as well as links to electronic textbooks, journals and videos. We will, if necessary, offer some lessons through software such as Microsoft Teams, which provides an active, engaging and inspiring study experience combining live lectures and lots of opportunities to discuss and interact with tutors and fellow students.

Support: While we provide all the assistance you need to get the most from online learning, we want to make sure you have all the support you need to help you study. You will be provided with a dedicated tutor to help navigate your programme. You will have access to a range of specialist support services including disability, financial and careers support.

Contact: We are continually monitoring government advice so that we can make the best decisions to keep you safe whilst delivering the best possible education programme. This means that our plans may change. Our website is regularly updated with information to help with your application and studies.

If you have any questions about studying Higher Education, we’re here to help. E-mail liz.wyman@nscg.ac.uk. We look forward to seeing you soon.

As always, thank you for your continued support.

Enjoy the summer break and stay safe.

Karen Dobson OBE, Principal & Chief Executive