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News round up: Exeter College supporting the community during the lockdown

Over the last few months, we, as a college, community, and a nation, have experienced a lot of firsts. We’re proud to have stepped up to help, supporting people through these difficult times. Here’s our round up of the most popular stories on our website since the lockdown began.  

WE MOVED TO HOME AND ONLINE LEARNING 

Following the advice from Public Health England, the Government and the NHS, Exeter College sites closed for the majority of learners.  

Although the Exeter College site closed, learning never stopped. Thanks to our expert staff, students’ exceptional education continued remotely.  

In a bid to offer further support, we provided our top tips on how to study at home, a guide on how to set up work and learning areas and our Health and wellbeing expert shared his advice on how to look after yourself during the lockdown.  

Find out more about our move to remote learning. 

WE OFFERED ACCOMMODATION TO NHS WORKERS

Exeter College has opened the doors of its Clock Tower accommodation to NHS workers in need of a place to stay during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.   

“Staff at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are working incredibly hard to save lives on the front line. As a community organisation, we felt it’s only right that we offer everything we can to help them and the NHS,”

– Kristyn Woodward, Exeter College Director of Student Experience. 

Find out more.   

WE LAUNCHED FLYING START FOR STUDENTS JOINING US IN SEPTEMBER

We knew lots of students were keen to get a head start on their College subjects before joining us. So, we developed Flying Start; our suite of pre-enrolment learning content, getting students to think about their new subjects with us.  

“Flying Start provides some small introductory pieces of work, as well as some suggested background reading on subjects,”

– Jade Otty, Exeter College Vice Principal. 

Access our Flying Start pre-enrolment work.  

Find out more about Flying Start.  

WE JOINED FORCES WITH PPE4EXETER

In Partnership with PPE4Exeter, a grassroots community project, Exeter College supported the production and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment for community-bases health and care workers. 

We have helped PPE4Exeter provide local centres with safety glasses, face masks, gloves and face shields. 

Find out more about our partnership with PPE4Exeter.  

WE LINKED UP WITH FOOD4HEROES TO PROVIDE MEALS TO NHS STAFF

We offered our state-of-the-art industrial kitchen facilities to Food4Heroes; a charity that provides free nutritious meals to frontline NHS staff during the Coronavirus pandemic.   

Exeter College’s @34 training kitchens are now in use, providing 200 nutritionally balanced, free meals to NHS staff at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital daily.  

Find out more.  

WE CAUGHT UP WITH OUR STUDENTS

We shared how our students were getting on with their remote learning. 

“Despite all the uncertainty with the current situation, the transition to home learning has been smooth. It has been good to have some continuity and a reason to force some structure into what could be empty days,”

– Tom Matthew, FE Student Governor.

We also got in touch with Madeline Crow, an Exeter College student who ended her studies early to join the NHS front line staff in the fight against coronavirus. 

Find out more about how our students have found remote learning. 

WE MOVED OUR OPEN EVENTS ONLINE

We wanted to offer people the chance to discover everything our Ofsted Outstanding further education provider has to offer, from the comfort of their own home. 

With our Apprenticeship Online Open Event and our Online Showcase being a success, we will soon be rolling out our Adult Online Open Event for anyone who wants to learn a new skill or further their career. 

Register for the Adult Online Open Event. 

Applications are open now to study at Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College in September 2020. 

Exeter College student joins NHS front line

Exeter College student Madeleine Crow has concluded her College studies early to take up a position on the NHS front line. 

Madeleine, 17, from Topsham, was in her final year at Exeter College studying A Levels in Biology and PE, alongside a BTEC in Health and Social Care, when the Government announced the closure of all schools and colleges to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.  

“It’s a steep learning curve, but everyone’s helpful, and everyone’s working together.”

Madeleine Crow, Health Care Assistant. 

Madeleine had already secured a job offer from Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital but decided to join them on the front line as a Healthcare Assistant before she was due to start in order to help in the fight against Coronavirus.  

Commenting on her new role, Madeleine said, “The atmosphere at the hospital is a bit different from how it usually is as everybody slightly on edge. 

“I’ve been on a lot of COVID-19 wards, and it is a bit scary, but there are still patients who need looking after.   

“It is a different type of nursing, as there is less patient contact. The personal protective equipment makes it feel like there is a wall between you and the patient; but we have to be careful to protect ourselves and protect the patients. 

“It’s a steep learning curve, but everyone’s helpful, and everyone’s working together.” 

Madeleine is following in the footsteps of her parents, both of whom also work for the NHS. 

Her father is currently helping with the hospital’s planning for the COVID-19 pandemic as a Director at the hospital, while her mother works as an Assistant at a local GP surgery. 

Madeleine said, “My mum has always done things to help and support people. She used to be a family support worker and we had a foster child for a while. She has always helped to look after people, and it’s made me want to do it too.” 

Madeleine also wanted to pay tribute to the College for helping to prepare her for her new NHS role. 

She said, “My Health and Social Care BTEC gave me a good understanding of how patient care is delivered, and my Biology A Level has been beneficial too. 

“There is no way to know what it’s like until you’re actually working, but Exeter College gave me a good insight.” 

Madeleine appreciates the insights her Healthcare Assistant role is currently giving her in working with the NHS and would like to continue her nursing career in the future. 

She said, “There are so many ways to go into nursing, from Apprenticeship schemes to getting a degree and working your way up; it’ll be a matter of what will be available at the time and when I can start.” 

Find out what Exeter College has been doing to help support the community during these unprecedented times. 

Are you interested in a career in healthcare? Apply now for the September 2020 start.

How to make the most of Exeter College’s Online Showcase

UPDATE: The Online Showcase is has now taken place. Check back on our website in the next few days for the seminar recordings.

View our video playlist on support with Exeter College.

We’re inviting you to our all-new Online Showcase, Thursday 21st May 2020, 3 pm – 8 pm. Our Online Showcase will provide you with everything you need to know about coming to Exeter College, all from the comfort of your own home. 

Perfect for years 9s, 10s and 11s who are thinking about their education after secondary school, our Showcase will allow you to find out more about the courses, subjects and clubs we can offer you. 

Not only does each session include a live, interactive seminar with a subject leader, but you will also have the opportunity to ask course-related questions.

Additionally, you’ll have access to a talk from the Principal, you can hear from our College Advice Team, and you can learn about the Travel Scheme.

But what can you do to make the most out of the Exeter College Online Showcase? This is what we recommend…

Register 

First things first, you need to register your interest in our Online Showcase. To do this, select which subjects you would like to attend from the drop-down menus on our open event page. 

If you don’t see any subjects which take your fancy during a time slot, feel free to leave those session times blank.  

Although we’ve tried our best to stagger courses so that you can hear from all the subjects you’re interested in, if two of your session have the same time slot, don’t worry! We will be recording our seminars and they’ll be available to watch after the Showcase. 

How it works 

Once you’ve registered, we’ll send you an email with your times so that you know when to tune in.

On the day of the event, we will email you links to join the Showcase session slots. All you need to do is click on the link at the start of the session time and you’re in!

This email will also give you access to the Principal’s talk on learning with Exeter College as well as access to videos outlining the support services we can offer you.

The Showcase will be streamed via Microsoft Teams. There’s no need to install the software, you just click the link in your email and you will access the seminar via your web browser.

Questions 

Each session will be around 30 minutes long and split into two sections. The first part will be an interactive seminar run by the subject leader. During the second section, you will have the opportunity to ask live questions about the course. Just type your questions in and get your answers!

Make sure you have a notepad and a pen on you during the session. This way, you can jot down any questions that pop into your head throughout. If you want to be extra prepared, you could also note down a few questions before the seminar begins.

Social Media 

Once the live Showcase element is over, you can still hear from your other subject leaders. If there was a session that you weren’t able to attend, or if you would like to watch the seminar again, we will be uploading the recordings online in the days following the Online Showcase. 

Keep an eye on our social media channels to keep updated. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Apply to Exeter College 

If you’ve been impressed by what you heard during our Online Showcase, and we hope you are, apply to study at Exeter College. We’re currently accepting applications for the September 2020 start. 

If you need any help with your application during the current Coronavirus pandemic, check out our frequently asked questions, or contact our college advice team on CAT@exe-coll.ac.uk. If you’ve already applied and want to talk about your application, please contact info@exe-coll.ac.uk. 

Exeter College students on their remote learning experiences

Although the Exeter College sites are closed to the majority of learners, exceptional learning continues remotely for our students.

Thanks to our innovative teaching staff, hard working students and college-wide adoption of digital learning technologies, students are being supported with interactive study sessions as home, as well as independent activities to continue their education.

“Teachers have been calling us online. This is especially useful for a subject like Spanish, where we must keep practising our speaking,”

Sam Pestridge, Exeter College Student

For our next generation of students, we have also brought forward our Flying Start campaign. This is our suite of pre-enrolment learning content designed to help year 11 students make the best possible start to starting a full time course with Exeter College in 2020.

Digital Learning

Our teachers have long been incorporating digital technology into their classrooms as part of our status as a Microsoft Showcase College. Since the Government’s closure of schools and colleges in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, our plan for delivering exceptional education online launched and students are being support to continue their progress from the comfort of their own homes.

But how are pupils finding this shift to remote, digital learning? We caught up with a few of them to find out how they’re getting on…

Tom Matthew: new flexibility   

Tom Matthew

“Despite all the uncertainty with the current situation, the transition to home learning has been smooth. It has been good to have some continuity and a reason to force some structure into what could be empty days. It has also been a bonus to be able to set my alarm 90 minutes later than usual and still be ready to work at 9am!   

“So far my teachers have sent me PowerPoints, videos, practise questions and articles. Learning from home comes with new flexibility, which I have enjoyed. I can stick at something for as long as I want and switch to different ways of learning depending on what works best for me, and my teachers have supported me in doing that.   

“I have been able to ask my teachers more and better questions over email than I would in the classroom.”

Sam Pestridge

Sam Pestridge: teaching approaches  

“All my teachers have been creating PowerPoints that we can work through. My politics teacher records herself speaking over the presentation; it’s almost like being in class.   

“Teachers have been calling us online. This is especially useful for a subject like Spanish, where we must keep practising our speaking.  

“All of my teachers are very supportive. They are there ready to reply to emails or over OneNote if we need them.”

Bayleigh Bewes

Bayleigh Bewes: being supported  

“I’ve set up a little desk with all my notes on to help me focus on schoolwork.

“My teachers and tutor regularly email or message to keep us up to date and check on us to make sure we’re doing okay academically, mentally and emotionally during this confusing time.”

Ella Edmonds: staying motivated  

“The most important thing I’ve found to stay motivated is to keep a good structure. I work on my classes at the same time I would if it were a typical College day, taking my breaks at the same time too. This is an excellent way for me to stay motivated since it means that I can set time limits and not end up over/underworking each day.  

Ella Edmonds

“I have also found that music is helpful for me because I struggle to focus when it’s silent.   

“Making time each day to talk to people has been so important. I talk to my friends daily to stay positive and feel less lonely. I also love spending every day with my dog!”

If you would like to share how your remote learning is going, email us on marketing@exe-coll.ac.uk, or tag us in your posts using #ExeCollTogether. 

Want to join Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College in September 2020? Apply online now to secure your place.

Exeter College Offers Accommodation to NHS Workers

Exeter College has opened the doors of its Clock Tower accommodation to NHS workers in need of a place to stay during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.  

The accommodation officially opened in September last year for students who travel longer distances to College but following the recent move to exclusively online learning, all students have now returned home and the recently-refurbished former hotel is now available for alternative use.  

Following a thorough deep clean, the Clock Tower building, which is on New North Road in the heart of Exeter, will be open for NHS staff to use as accommodation during the fight against the Coronavirus.  

College staff have taken time themselves to deep clean the building ready for NHS use and up to 22 NHS workers can stay there at any one time. This should prove vital as many NHS workers seek to self-isolate to protect family and loved ones during this global pandemic.  

Exeter College Director of Student Experience Kristyn Woodward said, “We’re a college for the community and during these challenging times we wanted to do everything we can to support the region through this crisis. 

“By opening the Clock Tower for use by NHS staff we hope that we can at least play our small part in the global response to this pandemic and help the hugely talented and dedicated NHS staff by providing a roof over their head and a place to stay that’s nearer the hospital in these difficult times. 

“Staff at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are working incredibly hard to save lives on the front line, and as a community organisation we felt it’s only right that we offer everything we can to help them and the NHS.” 

The Clock Tower accommodation will now be available exclusively to NHS staff for the duration of this crisis, with all bedrooms being en-suite and communal kitchen facilities also available.  

In addition to offering the Clock Tower during this crisis, Exeter College has also played its part in providing much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to front line NHS staff. Nearly 300 pairs of safety goggles from the College’s Maths and Science Centre are now in use across Devon’s GP practices, and disposable safety gloves and aprons have also been donated to the cause to be used on the front line.

Anyone interested in taking up the offer should contact their HR department at the NHS, who have all the relevant details on accessing the accommodation.

Looking after your health and wellbeing at home

Exeter College is closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, but the exceptional learning continues for our students.  

In this blog, Jake Cole, our Emotional Health and Wellbeing Advisor, has sourced some top tips on how to look after yourself during a challenging period.  Please also see advice from Young Minds, the NHS, and Mind. 

Connect

This is a huge one – everyone needs to socialise! Even if it’s not possible to pop to your friend’s house, make sure you continue to connect with them online.  

Make plans to video chat with people or groups you’d typically see in person. You can also arrange phone calls, texts or online messages.  

If you’re worried that you might run out of stuff to talk about, make a plan with someone to watch a show or read a book separately so that you can discuss it when you contact each other. 

You can also get yourself a study buddy. Team up with a friend from College to discuss your work and swap revision notes. Not only will this help you connect with others, but it will also make learning from home a lot more enjoyable.  

Routine

With so much uncertainty, sticking to your routine can really help you to maintain a sense of normality. It can also help to reduce anxiety and troubling thoughts.

You might want to add extra activities into your day that make you feel calm but try to keep to your daily schedule as much as possible.  

Figure out what you need to be working on. Write it down with timings on to paper or into an app like Outlook Calendar.  

Choose how long your work segments are. I like to work in 90-minute segments but do what works for you. 

Keep Active

Almost any form of exercise will stimulate the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain and will help you to focus your mind. For this reason, try and build physical activity into your daily routine. 

Most of us don’t have exercise equipment like treadmills where we live, but there are still activities you can do. Try cleaning your home, dancing to music, or following along to an online exercise class. 

Regular physical activity can also improve symptoms of anxiety, depression and help you sleep better.

Be aware of your health 

Eating regular meals and staying hydrated will help. You should also take breaks throughout the day to talk to someone or do something you enjoy.  

Be aware of your screen time too. It’s good to have a few hours a day where you are not looking at a screen – perhaps try calling a friend, reading a book or doing some housework.  

Find things that help you feel calm 

Like at any other time, it’s important that you are not only looking after your physical health but your mental health too.  

Acknowledge how you’re feeling. We know that things might continue to feel overwhelming or scary, so it’s good for you to talk about this where possible.  

Think about some activities that can help when you are feeling overwhelmed like breathing techniques, writing down how you feel, playing music, or talking to a friend. Try not to overexpose yourself to the news.  

To draw away from any stress you’re experiencing, write down three positive things at the end of each day. You can also look for opportunities to help others – doing good feels good.  

Extra Resources  

  • There is lots of additional advice on the NHS website. 
  • Check out our WHAM page on the portal for further health and wellbeing information.  
  • Headspace (the mindfulness app) is offering free resources to help people during this time. 
  • The charity YoungMinds offers mental health help and support.  

Remember that these new approaches can be difficult at first. Keep going, you will find a way to make them work if you stick with them.  

Ultimately, it’s down to finding out what works best for you. If you have any additional tips that you think could help others during their studies, share them using the hashtag #ExeCollTogether.    

Find out how exceptional learning is continuing at Exeter College during the Coronavirus outbreak.  

Six Tips on How to Study at Home

Just because the Exeter College site is closed, it doesn’t mean the learning stops.

If you need some help to get the most out of your study time from the comfort of your own home, then look no further.  

Thanks to our expert staff, your exceptional education can continue. But, in order to help you get the most out of digital learning, we’ve put together some top tips to help you study from home. 

Got your own tip for working from home? Use #ExeCollTogether on social media and we’ll share the best ones!  

Get Organised  

Before you begin your study session, make sure you’re prepared. Get your books out, line up your stationery and login to your laptop. Make sure you have everything you need before you get going.   

Plan Ahead   

Create a schedule and plan out your new daily habits; this new routine will become second nature before you know it. Next, think about what you want to achieve in your study sessions and set realistic goals for each. Finally, make sure you set yourself reasonable breaks… you need time to chill out, and those snacks aren’t going to eat themselves.   

Get a Study Buddy  

Make sure you’ve got a good support network. Everyone needs help and encouragement. Getting yourself a study buddy can make learning easier and a lot more fun. Bounce ideas off each other, share resources or compete in revision quizzes. Connect with a college friend and you’ll reap the benefits in no time. It’s also important to stay social during this time, so put time aside to have a chit-chat with your friends online!  

Rule of Three   

This is the perfect choice for all of you list lovers. The Rule of Three means that you reduce your list to three small tasks at a time. Once you’ve finished those three things, you can give each item a satisfying crossing-out before making a new list. This can help you break down your larger tasks into more manageable and achievable chunks.    

Find a Suitable Space   

Unfortunately, this suitable space probably isn’t your bed. Set yourself up at a desk or a table, and you’ll be so much more productive. Try and make sure you’re in a quiet place with limited distractions. By all means, make sure you have someone on hand for encouragement and support, but try and set clear boundaries. It’s hard not to procrastinate when you have people coming in for a chat every five minutes.  

Look Smart, Think Smart 

Sitting in your snuggly onesie all day sounds like a dream. But make sure you’re honest with yourself – is this going to make you more likely to slip into bad habits? Getting up and getting ready straight away can help set the mood for a productive day. Look smart, think smart.    

Ultimately, it’s down to finding out what works best for you. If you have any additional tips that you think could help others during their studies, share them using the hashtag #ExeCollTogether. 

Find out how learning is continuing with Exeter College during the lockdown.

Get the latest information on government guidance regarding awarding qualifications in summer 2020.

#ExeCollTogether – How Exceptional Learning is Continuing at Exeter College

Following the Government announcement that all schools and colleges would be closing to the majority of students from 4.30pm on Friday, 20th March, Exeter College’s plan of action on delivering exceptional learning digitally has launched.  

Our staff have been preparing for this eventuality for some time and students and teachers are now transitioning their learning to an online format using Microsoft Teams, Moodle and College email addresses.  

“We all have a passion for technology, and we’re collectively geared up to continue supporting staff and students via remote working and learning,”

Paul Knee, ICT Manager

Since the Government announcement on last Wednesday, over 390 new online Microsoft Teams have been set up for classes for remote learning, with over 3600 students already prepared to continue their learning for the coming weeks. These figures are expected to rise dramatically as the transition continues. 

Our staff were given time to prepare online content for learners, and our digital services teams (ICT, Innovations and Learning Media Services) have been working tirelessly together to ensure, where possible, students can continue their learning as seamlessly as possible.  

Although we’re no longer physically together, the College community continues. It’s for this reason that the Exeter College social media accounts will be using #ExeCollTogether to share tips and advice from our staff and learners on how they’re getting the most from their learning at home during this uncertain time.  

In addition to teacher-led online activities and learning experiences, students have also been encouraged to form independent online study groups to help keep each other on track with work and maintain online social contact with friends.  

Students on Apprenticeship courses with us have been directed to a Remote Working Guide to support their studies during this interruption.  

Exeter College ICT Manager Paul Knee has been coordinating our digital teams with the rapid transition to online learning through Microsoft Teams and Moodle. He said, “We had been planning for a College-wide move to Microsoft Teams in September, but given the exceptional circumstances of recent weeks, we accelerated this programme to support the urgent need for remote teaching and learning now via the initiative we call Teams Classroom. 

“We all have a passion for technology, and we’re collectively geared up to continue supporting staff and students via remote working and learning.” 

Exeter College Digital Innovation and Engagement Manager Anthony Martin has been leading the drive to digital transformation. He said, “We have been preparing for changes to the workplace of the future and exploring ways of engaging our learners in more immersive digital technology. 

“The preparations being put in place follow our existing Digital Transformation Strategy, which has been developed by the team, and would lead to a September rollout of new digital learning platforms. We’re obviously making that transition in a lot quicker time frame than we had imagined or would have liked, but we do already have a lot of the technology in place to support staff and students to make a success of this. 

“We’re creating a package to support our tutors and get them using their digital skills in an efficient way. We’ve also enabled staff to share their best practice with each other in Microsoft Teams so that everyone is learning together. 

“At present, we’re creating a one-size-fits all system for staff and students, but as time goes on, things will adapt and shift to suit certain courses and learning styles. Sessions will be taught via Teams, video and audio remote lectures, screen sharing and interactive presentations, as well as some independent study activities. 

“We’re keen to ensure this whole process is as seamless as possible for students and that’s why we’re really focusing on supporting everyone to make the best possible start to this that they can. It’s a determination of mine that nobody is left behind.” 

Some online learning sessions have already taken place as students and staff get used to this new way of delivering education. Anthony said the feedback from sessions which have already taken place has been positive. 

“It’s early days, but four or five groups have already given feedback and they’re delighted with how it is working. The students are excited to use the tools, which is great to hear as we move in to this new learning environment. Their feedback is of great comfort to the team, knowing students feel supported in using these tools effectively and helping them continue their studies,” said Anthony.  

“It won’t be perfect from day one but, from what we’ve put together for everyone, it’s certainly going to help the transition.” 

For more information on the closure of Exeter College, please see our Coronavirus Guidance page.

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