UCEN Manchester campus closures

All learning will be online until the end of national restrictions.

On Monday 4 January 2021, the government instructed all educational establishments to close physical campuses as a measure to reduce and limit the spread of Covid-19.

Students and colleagues based at all ten campuses – CityLabs, Fielden, Harpurhey, Nicholls, Northenden, Openshaw, Shena Simon, St John’s, Wythenshawe, Welcomb Street – should therefore not attend campus as the sites will be closed/not accessible.

Following on from our update to UCEN Manchester students on 31 December 2020 where we moved all learning online until the 25 January 2021, we will now be continuing with full online delivery until the end of national restrictions – anticipated to be 22 February 2021 at the earliest.

UCEN Manchester is working to deliver as much of the content of your courses as we can remotely in virtual environments, and to provide you with support through regular contact.

Tutors and support teams will be directly in touch with students individually to advise them of these arrangements and provide you with the support you require.

You can expect to be contacted by your tutor and/or some of our support teams you are currently working with throughout the campus closure period.  Please only communicate with a member of staff who is known to you. If you have concerns, please contact the switchboard on 03333 222 444 as this will remain open.

As we indicated in our communication on 31 December 2020, a number of assessments were planned to take place in the coming weeks and to ensure you are not disadvantaged we are working with our validating partners to understand the impact this will have on any upcoming assessments. We will update you when we know more.

Unfortunately, we had no advanced warning of yesterday evening’s announcement and are currently working to quickly understand what actions we need to take to ensure that as an organisation we comply with the government’s latest guidance whilst ensuring the health and safety of our colleagues and students remains our number one priority.

Prior to last night’s announcement, some of you may have booked to have a Covid-19 test at the University of Manchester test centre to coincide with your return to your term-time address. We are working on the assumption that these tests will not be necessary at the current time as the return to face-to-face teaching will be delayed. If you develop symptoms of Covid-19, you should follow Government advice, self-isolate and book a test here www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

As per our previous communications a range of support will remain available to all students. This includes:

• There is wide range of free welfare support available via our Future U student support service. Future U can support you with any queries, concerns or issues you have with accommodation, finance and general welfare. You can contact them via email - careers&welfare@ucenmcr.tmc.ac.uk - or phone 03333 222 444 and request to speak to them.
• On our  #InThisTogether Hub you’ll find a range of resources to help you look after yourself and stay motivated as well as further information on managing stress and links to external resources you may find useful.
• Access to our PAM Assist service. PAM Assist is a free and confidential life management and personal support service that is available to you on an entirely self-referral basis and will remain available to you over the Christmas period. There is no need to sign up or register or seek approval first, just call 0808 196 3533 or email www.pamassist.co.uk. This is a 24/7 helpline. 

During the campus closure it is essential that all students regularly check their UCEN Manchester provided student email address for work and communications (or your other usual method of communication with your course team).

A message from the Dean

Michael Walsh, Dean, said: “The health and safety of our students and colleagues is our number one priority and as such it is vital that we adhere to government advice and guidelines on Covid-19.

While this further disruption to face to face delivery is unfortunate, we have in place extensive resources to enable us to continue providing you with access to your course in virtual and online environments while ensuring we can maintain a high quality education.

“Throughout the closure it is vital that all students and staff take the necessary precautions to keep themselves, their families and their friends safe while helping prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“As the global fight against this pandemic continues, we will be working relentlessly to ensure that our students can continue to learn and access their courses remotely and be given all the support they need.

“We will continue to provide our full support to our students throughout this challenging period.”

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