"Unprecedented" A word we have heard often during this crisis. In this unprecedented time, the UK government has made never seen before concessions in an effort to uphold the financial and mental stability of the nation. Yet Huddersfield University School of Pharmacy insists on treating 4th-year university students like this final year is business as usual. It is no secret that the school of Pharmacy already has initiatives in place to support students such as the "best 100 credits" but these were in place before the COVID-19 pandemic. We petition for additional support warranted by our current worldwide circumstances, in the form of the no-detriment policy. This no-detriment policy has already been rolled out university-wide, however, the school of pharmacy has decided to exclude pharmacy students. We believe this to be unfair and strongly ask the school to reconsider their decision and put additional systems in place to support final year students. Pharmacy students are students just like everyone else and during these unprecedented times, we are also going through hard times while isolating at home. Final year pharmacy students are being expected to achieve the same level of efficiency or grades as they would under "normal" conditions, however, the conditions in which we are sitting these exams are far from "normal": Many students would usually utilize library services to study, which allows compartmentalization between home and study. But now many don't have a quiet place to revise. Many students are in the vulnerable group as well as their families and some may experience COVID-19 symptoms during exam season, which may affect productivity. There is extremely limited or unconventional support from lecturers with the absence of lectures or tutorial sessions. It is important to note that the University's attendance policies state that there is a positive correlation between contact time and student performance. Taking exams online introduces many variables that must be considered. Exam conditions may be hard to achieve in some of our homes. Downloading resources and changing windows consumes time depending on device and internet speeds, the latter experiencing higher traffic due to the UK lockdown. In conclusion, the BPSA has put out a statement supporting the no-detriment policy for Pharmacy students and Keele Unvistity has already put it in place for their pharmacy students. As final year pharmacy students at Huddersfield University, we do not aim to make excuses of any kind but rather ask for support. We have worked hard the past 3 years to come to where we are today and plan to repeat the process, but amidst this current pandemic and the challenges, it brings we may not be able to do so. We hope that the Huddersfield school of pharmacy will consider the implementation of the no-detriment policy as we have already seen university-wide.

This is important because we are currently in an unprecedented time. Due to Covid-19 people are struggling with money, people are unsure if their jobs or businesses are safe. We don’t need the added stress of paying for a full change of uniform and PE kit when the current ones have hardly been worn.

The recent impacts of Covid-19 have been particularly hard-hitting on University students during their Higher Education. Many students have been unable to continue with their work at the same standard they were able to prior to this disruption to their education, due to the immediate health concerns they and those close around them now face. Staffordshire University has given students a blanket extension of 10 days on all of their current assessments, however what other University's have also started to implement is a 'No detriments' policy for students. This means that as long as students submit and pass all of their remaining assessments, they will receive no less than the average grade they had achieved in this academic year assessments up to this point. However, if students pass their exams with a higher grade than their average, this is the grade they will receive for the academic year. So their grade can be higher than what they've already achieved, but not lower. Essentially, it's a safety net for students. Sign this petition to encourage Staffordshire University to implement this policy to help support students during this uncertain and extremely stressful period. Thank you.

We the undersigned request a response to the issues detailed below. At present we have received information (very slowly) regarding our current TMA, allowing extensions whilst simultaneously being told no extensions to the EMA as it would present difficulties to the exam board. Whilst we appreciate that these are unprecedented times and acknowledge the efforts of the OU thus far, we do not believe it fair for the largest part of our module to be affected, with the only options to defer the module for another year or to hand in substandard work due to circumstances out of our control. We request for those who need it a deferral of the EMA (or a significantly longer time period for completion) or a cancellation of the EMA instead using TMA averages to determine our end of module result. The use of said course marks is in line with what universities and schools (for example GCSE and A results having been determined by the course marks). By extending TMA allowance, without provision for the EMA, you are failing to recognise multiple extraneous variables that will impede the ability to produce an accurate representation of what can be produced, thus resulting in making everyone rush or defer. There are various circumstances, beyond our control, that would severely impact our ability to produce an EMA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the people who are at the open university chose to use this form of university over other universities due to its online nature, since many have children to support and therefore work. The fact that many people on the course work has led to them having to fulfil the duties given to key workers of extra, longer hours, giving them less time available to delegate towards university and thus an EMA. Some students who are also public sector workers have been seconded by furlough to voluntary work, meaning even less time is able to be found to write an EMA. The mental and physical health of students is also in question due to the EMA still going forward. A pandemic of this magnitude has not been witnessed in our lifetime and is quite rightfully terrifying the nation, especially those at high risk. The proportion of high-risk people at the OU is greater than at most universities; if these people happen to catch the virus, they are at high risk of being unable to breathe, move or even think to the capacity needed to write an EMA. The severity of the virus has also led schools, nurseries and playgroups to shut down, thus causing all children to be at home all day with their parents. This kind of distraction cannot be helped and although children can temporarily be occupied, they do not understand the importance nor value of the work that is being done by us students in order to try and complete such a time-consuming and mentally draining task of writing an EMA. Having to juggle looking after children and writing the EMA is something that is very difficult – the number of hours needed to delegate to both likely surpass those in a day, leading to mental and physical exhaustion. In some non-UK countries, the measures for lockdown are causing particular distress. Alongside the mental and physical exhaustion comes frustration due to a lack of facilities to study, broadband issues, open university site issues and the lack of availability of a computer in a household (many only have one computer that has to be shared amongst the household between workers and students). A lack of resources, space and time means that an EMA cannot be provided of exemplary standard, to the best of every student’s ability, leading to an inaccurate representation of the skill set of each student. The course material done up to now therefore provides a much more well-rounded, accurate representation due to the many extraneous variables listed above having been absent or not as amplified as in current circumstances. The lack of face to face support available, given tutorials have been cancelled, also leads to this inaccurate representation, as well as the difficulty getting in touch with the open university. It takes 5 days for the university to respond to a singular email, with no telephone help available, severely impacting time management and ability to work. We hope that given the many factors listed above for why deferring or cancelling the EMA would be beneficial to both the university and the students you follow suit of the other universities and cancel or defer the EMA at no additional cost to students.

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.