Common use of Supporting students Clause in Contracts

Supporting students. ‌ As a tertiary institution, SRUC is unique in its level of provision from SCQF levels 4 to 12, working closely both with academic and industry partners across the rural sector and in schools. Widening access opportunities and the learner journey are key, and learners are able to progress flexibly and appropriately, with recognition given to prior attainment and focusing on the interests of the learner. On that basis SRUC seeks to meet the needs of the land-based sector for an appropriately skilled workforce by recognising the importance of the learner journey and focusing on positive purposeful destinations. During the 2019 ELIR review (Reports) of SRUC’s Higher Education, SRUC were commended on supporting the individual journeys of learners, in many cases allowing students to achieve outcomes beyond their initial aspirations. Teaching and learning during this COVID period underwent a full pivot to online blended learning. This approach was supported by the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching, who rapidly assessed new platforms for delivery and assessment, secured Big Blue Button as a teaching resource, ProctorExam for online proctoring of the Veterinary Nursing exams and provided staff development activities to support colleagues. A number of working groups were set up to prepare for the 2020/21 academic year, which is being delivered through a blended approach, in line with Scottish Government advice. At the beginning of the current Academic Year SRUC took a student centric view to providing Halls of residence accommodation to students. Although year-long contracts for accommodation were offered to the very small number of students who required it, the vast majority of students have used the ‘stay and pay’ accommodation offer - students pay only for the nights they require accommodation to attend their practical classes. This allowed the residences to operate at no more than 40% capacity and students were not contracted to pay. This is costly to SRUC but protects staff and students. As part of the enrolment process, students completed online forms to assess requirements for computers and student support – this allowed devices and student support requirements (tailored for blended delivery) to be put in place early in the academic year. SRUC continues to offer loan devices to students when required. This has been complemented by a successful application to Connecting Scotland (Link here) where we have obtained 22 devices to distribute to care experienced students and students in families with a shortage of devices to help ameliorate long term digital poverty.

Supporting students. ‌ As Who Cares at City? Project 5.5.1 City is committed to improving our provision, anticipating and responding to change in the sector. It is becoming increasingly understood that there is no typical student experience of Higher Education. Our students come from a tertiary institutionrange of backgrounds and deal with a range of challenges. 5.5.2 In line with previous commitments to OFFA, SRUC is unique in its level of we have begun to extend our support and provision from SCQF levels 4 for care leavers to 12other young vulnerable groups who may need help. This includes financial and accommodation support, working closely both with academic and industry partners across the rural sector and in schools. Widening priority access opportunities and the learner journey are keyfor services, and learners a Designated Member of Staff to advocate on students’ behalf. We are able now supporting students who are estranged from their families or those with caring responsibilities themselves. Work may also include supporting Asylum Seekers, children of Asylum Seekers, unaccompanied minors or those with limited leave to progress flexibly and appropriately, with recognition given remain. We recognise that these students often face similar challenges to prior attainment and focusing on those of care leavers or would benefit from dedicated support. So they will be prioritised for the interests of the learner. On same or similar support that basis SRUC seeks to meet the needs of the land-based sector for an appropriately skilled workforce by recognising the importance of the learner journey and focusing on positive purposeful destinations. During the 2019 ELIR review (Reports) of SRUC’s Higher Education, SRUC were commended on supporting the individual journeys of learners, in many cases allowing students to achieve outcomes beyond their initial aspirations. Teaching and learning during this COVID period underwent a full pivot to online blended learningcare leavers receive. This approach was supported by the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teachingwill require mindful, who rapidly assessed new platforms for delivery and assessment, secured Big Blue Button as a teaching resource, ProctorExam for online proctoring of the Veterinary Nursing exams and provided staff development activities to support colleagues. A number of working groups were set up to prepare for the 2020/21 academic year, which is being delivered through a blended approach, in line with Scottish Government advice. At the beginning of the current Academic Year SRUC took a student centric view to providing Halls of residence accommodation to students. Although year-long contracts for accommodation were offered to the very small number of students who required it, the vast majority of students have used the ‘stay and pay’ accommodation offer - students pay only for the nights they require accommodation to attend their practical classes. This allowed the residences to operate at no more than 40% capacity and students were not contracted to pay. This is costly to SRUC but protects staff and studentscohesive work. As part of this we will make the enrolment processStand Alone Pledge, which guides activity and provides a framework for students completed online forms to assess requirements estranged from their families in the same way that the Buttle UK Quality Mark for computers and student support – this allowed devices and student support requirements (tailored care leavers did for blended delivery) to be students from care backgrounds. The practices put in place early as part of our Buttle UK delivery will continue, and will inform our commitment to Stand Alone and to our students. 5.5.3 We will do this through a branded scheme which aims to increase engagement with the range of support offered. By having a greater visibility across City, and in the academic year. SRUC continues clear communications with potential applicants, we will be able to offer loan devices to students when required. This has been complemented by a successful application to Connecting Scotland (Link here) where we have obtained 22 devices to distribute to care experienced students and better identify vulnerable students in families order to better help. 5.5.4 The project will be developed over 2017/18. We will create a working group involving staff from across City to do this. The group will collaborate across Schools and Professional Services to create a sustainable, long-term support plan for vulnerable students. They will act as champions of the scheme in their School or Service and will be essential in forming a system of support for vulnerable students, liaising with the central Designated Member of Staff to ensure consistency and clarity. We will encourage positive and proactive involvement through the programme, rather than singling out students for meeting a shortage of devices to help ameliorate long term digital povertyparticular status.