Dear students,
I'd like to send my warmest congratulations to all students on completing the academic year in what have been very unusual and exceptional circumstances.
A few months ago, none of us would have predicted the changes which the pandemic has wrought on all of our lives. Accommodating such a radical shift in such a short time is not simple, so you should be very proud of what you have managed to achieve in the last few months.
I know you will have faced major disruptions and challenges in your life including the new demands of doing online assessments, in some cases thousands of miles away from your support networks. As a community you have risen to the challenge and supported each other and I am immensely proud of all of you, and of the staff who worked so hard to make the process as smooth as possible. For many these last few months have been extremely difficult so please do find out how out student support services can help you at this time.
I hope that, once you have had the outcome of your progression from your Board of Examiners, you can take some time to relax with friends and family, enjoy the summer and continue to adapt to the new ways of life we are all facing. To those of you doing placements or internships, perhaps remotely - I hope those go well.
I look forward to welcoming you back to the College in the Autumn - either in person, or remotely in cases where you cannot travel. We plan to re-open our campus so that some teaching can take place in person. Our primary concern has been for your safety, and we have put in place a set of guidelines that will help to ensure this, respecting social distancing, face coverings and regular cleaning.
Your teaching will be a combination of on-campus (in-person) and remote learning (online). This ‘multi-mode’ delivery means we will combine on-campus learning and assessment, including laboratory work, with the benefits of remote learning and assessment. Your department will have already been in touch to tell you more about what to expect next term for your particular programme.
Over the summer we will continue to work hard to plan the details of both your programme and the student experience and will regularly update our website with more information. Please also take advantage of our careers service and find out how they can help you now or in the future.
Please look after yourselves wherever you are and we look forward to welcoming you back in the Autumn.
Best wishes,
Ian