Changes to January Teaching Approach

Today (31/12/2020) the University sent an email to all returning students outlining the changes to their approach for teaching in January following the Government's updated guidance. You can find below the information provided in the Universities email, plus some additional information from us at the The Union.

Information from the University

The government has provided updated guidance which means we need to amend our plans for the return of students in January and the remainder of Teaching Block 1. 

The guidance now states that a return from online-only teaching and learning to a blended and connected combination of online and face-to-face activity must now start later than originally planned for many of you.

The priority for returning to face-to-face activity will be students on clinical, teacher training, social work and other courses with mandatory activity related to professional qualifications that cannot be met through online-only learning.

It has been agreed that the phasing of the move from online-only teaching to a blended and connected approach that incorporates face-to-face activities will now be as follows:

w/c 4 January - w/c 18 January

Where necessary, such as some healthcare courses and Initial Teacher Training, blended and connected delivery will restart. 

All other courses - online-only delivery.

Your course leader will contact you if there are any changes to the delivery of teaching for your course.

w/c 25 January - w/c 1 February - assessment period begins

All assessments will be online-only, except where there are professional body requirements that cannot be met in this way. Your course leader will let you know if you need to complete any face-to-face assessments.

If you are not sure whether you need to be on campus in January for your course check with your Faculty MyPort team or your personal tutor.

w/c 8 February - Start of Teaching Block 2

We are waiting for further guidance from the government about February but at the moment our plan is to restart face-to-face teaching alongside online learning for all courses from 8 February. We will confirm this to you as soon as we can.

If you are on campus now or returning early

We know that some students have stayed on campus or in the city throughout the festive period. We also recognise that a number of students will want to return to the city at any point in the coming weeks regardless as to how their course is taught and we will also support this. 

University buildings and facilities such as the library, Open Access IT areas and student services will be open from 4 January. The gym and sports centre will unfortunately remain closed while the city is in Tier 4 restrictions.

Asymptomatic COVID testing

We are continuing our programme of asymptomatic testing for students and staff without COVID symptoms starting on 4 January through to mid-February to help support a safe return to campus. 

We strongly encourage all returning students, and those already in the city, to take a test and to follow self isolating guidelines where necessary in order to manage the transmission of the virus and ensure that they keep themselves, the University and City Communities safe. 

Remember to book two tests three days apart before restarting face-to-face activity on campus and/or using facilities such as the library. 

We know that last minute changes such as these can create anxiety. Please remember there are a number of student support services available to help. The changes are unfortunately necessary due to the fast moving nature of the pandemic and the rising infection rates nationally.  

Your welfare is important to us and we hope that the plans in place will enable you to safely return to campus and we are looking forward to seeing your back in Portsmouth over the coming weeks.

Additional Information from your Union

Student Groups

Student groups will continue to run and host activity online for the remainder of Teaching Block 1. Any concerns or queries, please contact groups@upsu.net

Accommodation

We know that the latest announcements will have arisen some questions about accommodation. We have raised this with the University and are awaiting further response. 

The Advice Service

The Union's independent Advice Service will continue to run a remote service from 4th January. You can book an appointment at upsu.net/advice. We are currently reviewing when we will be able to open the physical advice desk for walk ins.