The situation surrounding Covid-19 has impacted the students of Arts University Bournemouth considerably. Although we are receiving support from tutors online where they can provide this, we are unable to use the facilities at the university in order to realise our projects to the best of our abilities (specifically final year’s Major Projects) as well as use physical learning facilities from the library. Many of our projects are unable to reach realisation as we are unable to access the facilities necessary and collaborate with others due the current social restrictions enforced by the UK government. Each individual student has a different circumstance whilst at home. Whether it’s not having the money or space to use alternative methods for their projects or having to look after their own children or vulnerable family members during this pandemic. We have been told by tutors to do as much as we possibly can based on our circumstances and they will be lenient when grading. But how can we possibly put a project before the needs of our family members or our own mental wellbeing, when many of us are scared to lose loved ones due to this virus? Third year students have been working tirelessly towards showcasing their skills in their Major Projects for three years. Whatever we are able to create during this pandemic, will not be a true reflection of our abilities due to our personal circumstances, whatever they might be (mental health, finances, looking after family etc). On the 25th March 2020, The University of Exeter announced a ‘safety net’ policy: "Our commitment to your success given the exceptional circumstances in which you are sitting these examinations and other assessments, we have decided to introduce a ‘safety net’ policy.” "This ‘no-detriment’ approach is as follows: so long as you would qualify to progress/graduate based on your marks obtained this year (including those in the summer assessment period), then we will ensure that your final academic year average is the same as, or higher than, the average you have attained up to Sunday 15th March. Details about how your average to 15th March will be calculated will be provided in the FAQs on our website by the end of Friday 27th March. If you achieve higher marks in assessments submitted and examinations undertaken after Sunday 15th March then you will be able to raise your mark for the year. To repeat, as long as you qualify to pass the year, completing the summer assessments can only help not hinder you because we will not let the extraordinary circumstances in which you are completing these assessments leave you with a mark below your current overall mark." [1]https://www.exeter.ac.uk/coronavirus/communications/students25march/ [2] https://thetab.com/uk/soton/2020/03/26/sotons-no-detriment-policy-means-your-grades-cant-go-below-your-current-average-83828 [3] https://thetab.com/uk/edinburgh/2020/03/26/breaking-no-remaining-exams-assessments-can-negatively-impact-your-course-grades-for-this-semester-65113 This ‘safety net’ policy will give all students the peace of mind that the grade they receive for their last projects, will fairly reflect the work they have created over the past year. It is unfair for assessment changes to be communicated over email and the ‘safety net’ will reduce the pressure that students are feeling at this current time. Please support university students during this uncertain, stressful time!

This is fundamental in allowing University of Gloucestershire students to achieve their full potential and grades which they have worked hard for.

On 11th March the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 had developed into a global pandemic. Since then the situation for many in the UK and around the world has changed for the worse. Staffordshire University Campus will be closed as of Tuesday 24th March, yet all students are expected to continue as normal. There are many reasons that continuing as normal may not be possible for students during this pandemic. Some of these reasons are as follows: Loss of income Many students depend heavily on earnings from part time work which has now been lost with the closure of pubs and restaurants including LRV and Ember lounge. Caring for at risk relatives Many students have relatives that are at higher risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19. This means having to become temporary carers, having to self-isolate for the protection of a family member or in worst case scenarios coping with the death of a family member. Closure of University buildings and resources Many students, particularly in the engineering and arts departments may rely heavily on the resources available at Staffordshire university, for example, the Smart Zone. These students have developed their projects believing that these resources would always be available and are now having to drastically change their approaches to fit the current situation. Technical Problems Due to all courses being taken online any students that do not have access to their own laptop/computer/mobile phone is at a serious disadvantage. The number of people now having to access work and study remotely has caused many sites to experience traffic issues leading to slow internet speed or sites crashing completely. The Coronavirus itself We all run the risk of catching this Virus, and though many students will only show minor symptoms and bounce back very quickly we must remember that individuals with existing medical conditions are at greater risk. If we take a look at just those diagnosed with Asthma for example, roughly 1/11 people in the UK have Asthma. This equates to just under 1,400 students at Staffordshire university having an existing condition that may put their life at risk. Self-Isolation and social distancing Any student having to complete group work now has to attempt this while being either self-isolated or maintaining social distance. While remote working measures have been put into place, getting used to using these remote measures is going to slow everyone’s ability to complete group work. Stress Yup, believe it or not watching a global pandemic unravel can be very stressful. No one should be expected to continue working to the best of their ability at this time. Being expected to continue University work as normal puts students at great risk of not obtaining the grades they otherwise would have got. The right thing to do If any individual was having to cope with the above-mentioned issues an extension would more than likely be granted. The fact that this situation is upon all of us should not stop the same consideration being given to all students. Being kicked when we are down Students across the country are having to cope with having their end of year shows cancelled and their graduations postponed. Those graduating in 2020 are going to have greater difficulty finding work after graduation due to the state of the UK economy and for many the end of year show would have been a path to employment. Though it is understandable that these cancelations and postponements have to be made please remember that this is a real hit to student moral, which makes continuing work as normal increasingly difficult. IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC WE REQUEST A REASONABLE EXTENSION TO BE GIVEN TO ALL STUDENTS CURRENTLY STUDYING AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

The majority of Access to HE students are working adults with financially dependant children and family members. During this time of crisis, some of us are having to work extra hours to survive, look after immuno-compromised family, and this outbreak is causing an extreme disruption to our studies. A-level students will potentially be given places without completing their studies, meanwhile Access students are being expected to carry on despite major disruptions.

This policy would primarily help parents who are struggling with the ever-increasing demands on their finances. The cost of a school uniform can often be too much for many families to afford and therefore adds an unbearable pressure on the parents and often leaves the children not having a school uniform. Children grow so fast that it isn’t simply a case of budgeting to buy a new uniform every September, sometimes items need to be replaced 2 or 3 times in a year, this then becomes astronomically expensive. Having the school logo in badge form can help make it possible for all children to be equal by creating an affordable solution to the rising cost of branded school uniforms. It might also help parents whose child is disabled and may not fit standard uniform clothing. With the cost of living constantly rising, we need to stand together and ask ALL schools to work with families to make things easier. On a final point using badges would complement the environmental agenda, many clothes recycling schemes cannot use branded clothes so by creating the ability to remove the branding it means that many more children can benefit from an item of clothing.

There have been numerous reports detailing the link between poverty and lower attainment in numeracy and literacy. The role of a Children’s Laureate is ultimately to engage all children in reading and writing. My proposal would be to take this a stage further in Scotland by identifying those children from low income backgrounds and those with disabilities (physical and mental) and placing more emphasis on reaching children within these groups.

Hockey is a popular sport, especially among women and girls. There are not sufficient 2G pitches to meet demand in east Fife. 2G is cheaper than 3G.

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HIGH SCHOOL'S WITHIN THE WYTHENSHAWE AREA , CLOSING NEWALL GREEN HIGH SCHOOL WILL RESULT IN OVER CROWDED CLASS ROOM'S , UNDER STAFFED STUDENT'S , A LOWER LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC STANDARD'S DROPPING AS A WHOLE , EFFECTING THE FUTURE OF ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITHIN THE WYTHENSHAWE AREA.

According to Action for Children as many as 1 in 5 children have been exposed to Domestic Abuse. How can we create a zero tolerance attitude towards Domestic Abuse if we do not educate tomorrow’s future on what a healthy relationship is. Many do grow up and go into healthy loving relationships but there are the forgotten child victims of Domestic Abuse that do not have the key knowledge or skills to break their Domestic Abuse Cycles. By teaching children young this may help children in a domestic abuse households recognise this is not normal, have confidence they are not alone and give them the courage to speak out! Today's children will be tomorrow's judges, police officers, social workers, doctors most of which today need further education into domestic abuse and it's effects. By teaching children young we are laying a positive foundation for later understanding into domestic abuse.

-It will help our children in the acquisition of the English language. -It will develop their confidence and self-esteem by improving their knowledge, culture and roots. -It will promote their educational achievements by improving motivation and enhancing cognitive development as well as reducing truancy and exclusions. -It will help our children to improve their skills and community cohesion. -It will help children to engage in creative works, keep children off the street and prevent them from being involved in anti-social activities, drugs, gang fighting and knife crime, etc. -It will help our children to take part in a Modern Foreign Languages GCSE/A- Level.

Trafford Council are proposing to demolish both Stamford Park Schools & construct a new three form entry school on the existing school field. Trafford Council has published a “Vision “document promising a “state of the art “new school and referenced other new schools in the borough; Worthington Park, Bowdon Church Schools as examples of what the new school will look like. The existing school field is much smaller size than the footprint of the existing Infant and Junior school site and as the new school will be designed for three form entry it will have to be three storeys high with limited external space for playgrounds. This proposed building is likely to be completely out of character with the buildings in the surrounding streets and unlikely to be the state-of-the-art new school promised. At no time have Trafford published any plans for the new school. Surely if you are undertaking a consultation exercise it is not unreasonable to expect to see outline plans so the public can form their own opinion of the proposals. The new school will also result in the children losing their playing field. The existing Edwardian school buildings will be demolished to create some outdoor (artificial) pitches and 40 car parking spaces. The use of public transport should be encouraged not increasing the number of cars around a school. These local schools have stood in our community for over 100 years and the demolition of these buildings will be a sad loss to the local area and in an era where sustainability should be paramount, refurbishment of the existing buildings must be the way forward. Whilst we understand there are issues with the existing Infants School this proposal is not the solution. Trafford Council are currently undertaking a consultation exercise gathering opinions from the local community /residents/parents etc. If you have not already done so please complete the online consultation form on the Trafford website though you only have until 17th Nov to submit your form. Given that the new school is being promoted by Trafford it is vital to gather as much support as possible so that the council understand the strength of local opinion. The intention is that this petition is forwarded to Trafford to demonstrate the strength of feeling within the community. Could you please join our petition and it would be good if you could share with local residents as well? Many thanks,

Teaching assistance are extremely valuable staff members within schools. They have many different roles and are essential in providing support to children with increasingly varied needs. Please let's keep these vital members of staff whom our children and their teachers depend on.