We know this is a challenging time but we’re here to support YOU!
This page will be your ‘go to’ for all things home learning. With handy hints and tips, extra support and guidance, we’ll make sure you have everything you need to ace learning from home.
So, before we get into all of that, we wanted to make you aware of the support available for your mental health and wellbeing.
Safeguarding
Even though you’re not in college, we will continue to support you and your families at this difficult and uncertain time.
If you have any concerns or want to seek advice on protecting or safeguarding a young person, please contact our designated safeguarding lead, Robert Grainey on 07747 461945 or email Robert.Grainey@stc.ac.uk. This will be checked daily and we will respond to any concerns.
Your course tutors will also be on hand to offer full support.
Click HERE to view our college Safeguarding Officers.
Wellbeing Support
It can be tough when you’re stuck indoors but here’s some helpful wellbeing sites if you need a bit of extra support.
www.kooth.com - free online counselling service for all South Tyneside residents aged 10-25
https://www.educationsupport.org.uk
College Counsellor
You don’t need to be onsite to get the support and help you need. Our college counsellor is here for you. Please contact Karen Ambelez via email on Karen.ambelez@tynecoast.ac.uk or call 0191 427 3773.
Right, here we go!
English and maths
With 2020/21 GCSE and A level exams changing due to the latest lockdown, the government will be issuing guidance on an alternative to the exams and how you will be graded in more detail soon.
In the meantime, all lessons are still running remotely, so please attend to your usual online timetable.
You will receive an update when the full guidance is in place. All exams information will also be published here.
How to access online learning
You will have instructions from your course tutors about online learning with how and what you should be studying.
Your course tutors will be using Microsoft Teams and you will be added to your class group. You can have live chats with classmates and tutors, view files and send work to your tutors using this software.
Click here for instructions on how to access Teams.
Click here for our Student Remote Access Guide.
You should also access learning materials from Moodle
Reporting an absence
If you are ill and cannot study at home, please report your absence to your course tutor as they may set work deadlines so will need to be aware if you cannot meet these.
A guide for YOU while working from home
We understand it’s a challenging and uncertain time for all our students but we are here to support YOU every step of the way. Here’s our handy hints and tips for learning at home.
- Create a specialised workspace
Find a workspace that works for you. Whether that be the living room, dining room or a spare room just make sure it is free from distractions and it’s not your bed!
- Take breaks
When working from home it can be hard to stay focussed but you need regular breaks to help recharge your batteries.
That’s why we give you regular breaks at college so why not try and stick to the same break times?
- Routine!
Set a routine to keep you motivated otherwise you’ll struggle to be productive. It can help to stick to the same routine you have at college. That way you can help bring some routine to this uncertain time.
- Get a good night sleep
Create a regular sleeping pattern. Just because you’re not coming in to college doesn’t mean you should stay up all hours and have a lie in. Try your best to have between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night – you’ll be thankful for it!
- Keep yourself motivated
Remember why you are studying for the qualification. Continually take time out to remember what you hope to gain from your qualification. Motivation will keep you working hard and help you to take the time to sit down and study.
- Set a to-do list
Set a to-do list for the day with everything you want to achieve that day– no matter how small! Try to stick to it so you can feel productive. Don’t worry if you don’t manage to do everything on it just add it on your list for the next day.
- Switch OFF
It’s important to switch off at the end of your studies. It can be easy to study all hours when you’re working from home but you need time to relax. Close your workbook, shutdown your computer or laptop and have some time to yourself.
- Follow us on social media.
We will be posting updates on our social media pages (including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn) so make sure you give us a follow and turn on notifications so you don’t miss anything! It’s not all updates though! We’ll be posting lots of fun social content for you to get involved so give us a follow!
- Start a WhatsApp group
Studying from home and not seeing your classmates everyday can be a struggle. Why not set up a WhatsApp group so you can all keep in touch and support each other with your studies. It’s also important to socialise while you’re social distancing even a FaceTime with a friend will help.
We’re here to help YOU!
Don’t forget, we’re always here to help. You still can still contact your course tutors with questions or ask for help.
Be positive. Be resilient. Stay motivated!
Need more support?
View our useful library resources here.
Here’s some useful websites to support you in your home learning. You can also download lots of apps to help you study and stay focused.
- Search for lots of literature across a range of subjects with Google Scholar
- Instantly stream free stories on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet from Amazon's Audible.
- My Tutor offers daily lunchtime live group webinar tutorials, short explainer videos and written resources, covering common tricky topics across a range of GCSE subjects.
- BBC Bitesize provides you with tips and tricks to help any students studying Functional Skills
- Get maths smart with free worksheets and revision notes at Study Maths.
- Search for a range of study resources as well as create study timetables, flashcards and mind maps with Get Revising.
- Get online support and resources mapped to your qualification with Smart Screen.
- JSTOR are offering extended free access to journals and academic resources. You can create a free account and read up to 100 articles per month until the end of June 2020.
You can also download lots of apps to help you study:
·Focus Keeper – Time Management
·Flora – Focus & Study
·Adapt – Revision Timetable
Downloads
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Safeguarding Structure_2.pdf (54.36 KB) | 54.36 KB |
| Staying Safe Online Leaflet.pdf (640.66 KB) | 640.66 KB |