Aspire to HE: Coronavirus Update

The University of Wolverhampton continues to closely monitor the national situation regarding Coronavirus. At present the University remains open, however following the Prime Minister’s briefing at 5pm on Monday 16 March, all face-to-face teaching has been suspended.

In line with this, Aspire to HE has made the decision to postpone all outreach activities and remove Aspire Engagement Officers from schools and colleges, from Wednesday 18 March 2020.

If you have any questions, please be assured that our team is available by email and phone to discuss any queries you may have. We will continue to evaluate the situation alongside the University of Wolverhampton, in the following weeks and endeavour to keep you updated.

Aspire to HE will look to find ways to continue supporting learners on a remote basis, online and over the phone, our approach to this will be communicated to all school and college staff as soon as possible.

We are trying to be as prepared as possible for as many eventualities that are in our control, both staff and learner well-being remains our top priority, and we are grateful for your continued support.

If you have any questions, please contact your Senior Partnership Officer, or email aspiretohe@wlv.ac.uk

FAQs

Which on-campus events have been postponed?

Aspire to HE has made the decision to postpone all on-campus events, this includes Campus Experience Days, Faculty Projects, and external provider events.

Events that have been postponed:

– Campus Experience Days (various dates)
– Speakers Trust Regional Final (23 April 2020)
– Working in Elite Sport Judo (17 March 2020)
– 999 Emergency Response (18 March 2020)
– Working in Elite Sport Judo (24 March 2020)
– Pre On-Campus Workshop Tate (25 March 2020)
– Blenheim Palace Visit (31 March 2020)
– Maths Hangout (6 – 8 April & 15 – 17 April 2020)
– Tate Visit to London (22 April 2020) Tate is currently closed until 1 May 2020.

What if we have paid for transport?

Please cancel any transport that has been booked, if the company you have ­­­­­­made the arrangement with is unable to offer you a refund, Aspire to HE will reimburse your school.

Will Aspire Engagement Officers still be coming into school?

No, Aspire Engagement Officers will not be in-school from Wednesday 18 March 2020.

Will external speakers still be coming into school?

If your school is still accepting external visitors, and the provider is able to deliver your workshop then yes. This will need to be reviewed by individual Lead Teachers, and communicated to their Senior Partnership Officer.

Providers that may be effected:

– Stephen Seki: Farmer to Pharmacist
– Positively Mad: Making informed Decisions
– EBP: World of Work
– Speakers Trust: Speak Out Workshops

Consideration can be given to re-booking any cancelled workshops at a later date.

What if we have innovation award activity due to take place?

Aspire to HE lead teachers will need to make the decision on whether any Innovation Award activities or events are cancelled. Teachers should work with their Senior Partnership Officer on whether events can be re-booked at a later date, or how the Innovation Award fund can be re-purposed for another activity.

Will events be rescheduled?

Aspire to HE will continue to monitor the national situation regarding coronavirus, we will remain in contact with all our partner schools and colleges, and when possible will begin developing plans for rescheduling events.

If you have any questions, please contact your Senior Partnership Officer, or email aspiretohe@wlv.ac.uk