Coronavirus latest
January Return FAQs
BTEC EXAMS
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.
A Level and GCSE Exams
A Level and GCSE Exams taking place this summer have now been cancelled and students will now receive a Centre Assessed Grade. More Information to come.
We have had some queries regarding whether the college will reimburse the cost of college coaches at Andover College for the period of the lockdown, where the service is not available or not accessed. Please be assured that the college will undertake a full reconciliation exercise once the full duration of the lockdown is known and we will reimburse for unused service. 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.
When students return to college, we expect to continue to be required to deliver a testing service and we ask all parents and guardians of under 18 students who have not completed the consent form need to do so as soon as possible, indicating whether consent is granted or declined to test. Any student being tested will then also 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.
National Lockdown announcement
Updated 04/01/21 @ 21:45
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 teaching 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 on-site 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.
Risk Assessment Information
The college has carried out a comprehensive risk assessment of which the current version is available by request from here
the remote learning pledge
View our Remote Learning Pledge. This information is intended to provide clarity and transparency to pupils and parents, guardians or carers about what to expect from the College’s remote education provision.
FROM ALL OF US AT ANDOVER COLLEGE, PLEASE STAY SAFE!
Other information
Updated 17/12/2020
The Wellbeing team, based in the Wellbeing Hub, 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 Andover Student Services page on Ledge.
On Campus
For support with anything that is affecting your enjoyment at Andover please contact the team to arrange a meeting on wellbeingandover@sparsholt.ac.uk. Alternatively you may pop into Wellbeing 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 Ledge. There is a short referral form to complete, then our counselling coordinator will contact you about arranging an appointment
Please note our Campus is closed from 23.12.20 to 03.01.21. The Wellbeing team will be available from 4th January 2021 to provide one to one support, please access the on-line resources on Ledge during the closure period
Andover College’s dedicated staff have been working hard to implement a range of safety measures across the Andover site, ensuring you feel safe and secure when arriving at our campus.
Find out more from our Vice Principal, Ben Stokes, below
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 Andover community safe. Click here to view this guide.
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.
Updated 09/09/2020 @ 12:45
The main symptoms of Coronavirus have been identified as:
- High temperature – This means you feel hot to touch on your head.
- New, continuous cough – This means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.
- Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – This means you have noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
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 to 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 of Coronavirus 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.
ABSENCE REPORTING
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.
View the latest information from ofqual
View the latest information on COVID-19 from the Government
View the latest information from the NHS
