An exciting new college year is almost upon us and preparations are underway to ensure we can all enjoy it together.

A vital part of that will depend, as efforts continue to contain the pandemic, on as many students and staff as possible being vaccinated against Covid-19. 

The government is now offering walk-in vaccinations to 16 and 17 year olds and we would strongly encourage students to have a vaccination before starting their studies with us in September.

Keeping safe and having fun

Doing so, and following our  Covid safety measures – which include continuing, for now, to wear face coverings in corridors and open spaces, or where distancing can’t be maintained – will help us all stay safe.

It will also mean students can feel confident as they try out the many rewarding and fun events we will have going on, across our campuses, during induction week and beyond.

If you’re 18 years old or over, you can book a vaccination here. We are also looking into hosting ‘pop-up’ vaccination clinics at our main campuses in the coming weeks.

When term starts students will need to take two Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests  each week (like they did before the summer break) and to record their results via the Gov.uk website.

For more details about Covid-19 vaccinations visit the Gov.uk website here. This guide here also includes information on what to expect after having a Covid-19 vaccination.

Find out more information about vaccinations for under 18 year olds here.

A science teacher at Leeds Sixth Form College has been awarded £3000 of funding for his skills development project as part of the Let Teachers SHINE competition.

Luke Helstrip, who has been with the college for a year, has developed a project that supports students to enhance their soft skills, such as creative thinking, communication, problem solving and collaboration, enabling them to make faster progress in lessons.

Run by education charity SHINE and Times Education Supplement, the competition offers a funding lifeline to innovative teachers with pioneering project ideas. With the aim to boost the attainment of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the organisation provides advice and training to allow teachers to make a difference within the student community.

Luke hopes his ‘Impact of STEM 7’ project will help students improve exam results and apply for jobs and university places. He said: “I grew up in an area of high deprivation, so I appreciate the challenges that students face when completing applications and progressing through education. I hope to develop students’ self-confidence and ability to reflect on their own skill development by making changes to teaching practices which highlight soft skill development. 

“Information on students’ skill reflections will then be analysed, providing us with data on progress over time and the impact of the strategy. Initially, I will be running the programme as a pilot study within my own class. If this is successful, we hope to roll this scheme out across all A level subjects at Leeds Sixth Form College.”

All grantees will receive one-to-one sessions with the School of Social Entrepreneurs and the University of Manchester to determine individual needs and develop a bespoke training package.

Helen Rafferty, interim chief executive of SHINE, said: “Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Let Teachers SHINE competition. This year’s awards were held during some of the most challenging times teachers have ever faced, making the quality of the applications all the more impressive. 

“Each of the teachers who took part in the competition demonstrated their innovation and commitment to really make a difference to the futures of children from low-income families. 

“We look forward to working with the winners to help them develop their ideas and help hundreds of children to succeed at school.” 

Organised by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place from 10 to 16 May.

Founded in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is the UK’s leading charity for mental health.

Throughout the pandemic, millions of people across the UK have experienced a mental health problem. This week helps us to understand more about mental health, how it affects us, the different conditions and support available.

Nature

This year’s focus is on nature, as many of us have found the outdoors to be helpful in improving our wellbeing during the pandemic. 

Over the past year, we’ve seen an increase in people gardening, going on walks and exploring the outdoors – all of which have been essential for our mental health. 

Research from the Mental Health Foundation showed that going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies, with 45% of us reporting how being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health.

During lockdowns, people have not only spent more time in nature, but have learnt to appreciate and notice it more; highlighting a fundamental need to connect with our outdoor environment.

Benefits

Bringing nature into your everyday life can have positive effects on your personal wellbeing. It can:

• Enhance your mood
• Reduce feelings of stress and anger
• Help you take a break and feel relaxed
• Improve your physical health
• Build your confidence
• Encourage you to be more active
• Helps you make new connections 

Getting involved 

Support the Mental Health Foundation by taking part in half an hour of outdoor exercise each day in May. This can include anything from walking, running, jogging and skipping – and remember to appreciate the nature surrounding you.

You are also encouraged to share your experiences by taking a photo or video and joining the discussion on how you’re connecting with nature by using the hashtags #ConnectWithNature #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

To discover the best walks in the local Leeds area, have a read of these articles on Leeds List and Yorkshire Evening Post.

College activities

At Leeds Sixth Form College, we’ll also be celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week through a series of events. 

Our Academic Coach and MindMate Champion, Chris Flint, is running a Mental Health Self Help Google Classroom for staff and students from 10 May. These sessions will discuss mental health, how to find support, coping mechanisms and self help tips. Students can get involved in these sessions by using the Google Classroom code: Xllslsb.  

As part of the Virtual World of Work and Work Experience Week, the morning timetable for Wednesday 12 May has been dedicated to ‘Upskill Yourself’ activities. This is an opportunity for positive reflection, where students can build on their strengths and attributes. Examples of these sessions include managing stress and anxiety, motivational techniques, understanding your strengths and overcoming fear.

Students will also be campaigning this week as the student unions elections take place on campus. This will be a great opportunity for students to have their voice and bring about positive change.

We are raising money for Mind, the mental health charity, through a 24 hour gym session fundraiser. From 9am on Thursday 27 May to 9am on Friday 28 May, colleagues are invited to either pedal, cycle, cross-train or row in a 30 minute slot during the 24 hour period. The fundraiser will take place in the brand-new Eco-Powr gym, where the exercise machines are specially designed to generate power for our college. 

All sixth form tutorials will have a mental health awareness focus, based on this year’s theme of nature.

International Women’s Day is an annual celebration of the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women.

On 8 March each year, people come together across the globe to rally for women’s equality through widespread activities. 

Why is this day important?

Although the world has made significant progress, no country has yet achieved gender equality. 

According to the United Nations, legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men. As of 2019, less than 25% of parliamentarians were women. Additionally, one in three women experience gender-based violence. 

This day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the progress made, raise awareness of women’s equality and celebrate acts of courageous women who’ve made an imprint on our history and communities.

Clearly, there is much more to be done in the fight for gender equality, so we want to strive to  make a positive difference for women. 

Themes

This year’s official theme, #ChooseToChallenge, encourages people to speak out against gender bias and inequality. From challenge comes change, so by embodying this theme, we can help create an inclusive world.

The United Nations has also announced the theme ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a Covid-19 World’. The current pandemic has demonstrated how effectively women leaders and women’s organisations have been leading the Covid-19 response through their skills, knowledge and networks. This theme focuses on the recent acceptance that women bring different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table.

How are we celebrating International Women’s Day?

At Leeds Sixth Form College, we will be holding an International Women’s Day challenge and activities through our group tutorials.

Women in leadership

We spoke to Rachael Booth, Principal at Leeds Sixth Form College, to find out her thoughts on International Women’s Day.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

“It reminds me of how far we have come as women, but also how far we still have to go. A time for reflection and action!”

What does the 2021 theme #ChooseToChallenge mean for you in your work life?

“Inclusivity – empowering us all to speak up about gender bias and challenge it.”

Why did you choose the career that you’re in?

“I first trained as a museum curator but found that whilst working in the museum, my favourite role was getting dressed up as a Victorian teacher with my school visit groups and helping them learn about the past.

I had been advised at school by a careers advisor to go into teaching but after studying for so long at university, I wanted to leave the education environment and try something else. However, I later realised it was something I enjoyed doing and felt passionate about.”

Why did you decide to work within the education sector?

“Having decided I wanted to teach, I then had to decide which age group I wanted to work with. I realised I wanted to work with secondary age pupils and above, so then went on to specialise in Key Stage 5 as I preferred studying at a higher level.”

What does Leeds Sixth Form College do to overcome gender stereotypes?

“Leeds Sixth Form College’s culture and vision includes a strong emphasis on inclusivity and creating opportunities for everyone, enabling staff and students to realise their full potential. 

Women are also well represented in the leadership and senior leadership team, acting as role models for both staff and students. Stereotypes are challenged on a daily basis by teachers, tutors and support staff.”

In your opinion, why is it important that more women take up leadership roles?

“When I first started out in education 24 years ago, my leadership team were all male and I never for one moment thought when I first started out that I would be part of a team like that.

It is important that women lead, so that they can empower future generations of leaders. If I can do that for other women, then that to me would be so rewarding.”

What more do you think can be done to encourage more women into leadership roles?

“Tackling the media stereotyping of women is really important. I am increasingly concerned about the way in which women and girls are portrayed as the main childcare providers or are objectified, which is having a negative impact on mental health of women and their sense of wellbeing.

I would like to see a greater focus on women as strong leaders, rather than constantly reinforcing female stereotypes.”

On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?

“Think big, go high!”

Take a look at the International Women’s Day resources here.

Following the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that colleges will be reopening, we really look forward to welcoming most of you back for a phased return from Monday 8 March. 

Although all students have been working incredibly hard from home, we’re pleased that we can start to invite everyone back to college in line with our phased approach and plans for testing. 

Why is it important to come into college?

As you’ve been remote learning for some time, returning to campus is really important for your wellbeing. You’ll be able to spend time with your peers, join in with college activities and access face-to-face support from tutors, college counsellors or the Safeguarding team. 

What safety measures will be in place?

We want you to feel safe at college, so we’ve implemented many safety measures to help this happen. 

Our safety measures include:

• Testing for staff and students (as described above)
• The continuation of 2m social distancing measures
• Wearing face coverings in all areas of the college (including classrooms), unless you are medically exempt 
• The ‘bubble’ grouping system
• Increased hand sanitiser stations on campus

The government lockdown guidance states that you must stay at home and only leave your house when necessary, such as for basic necessities, exercise, work (where you cannot work from home), meeting your support bubble or to seek medical assistance or avoid injury. 

Testing

We have been following government and Public Health England guidance on our Covid-19 safety measures. College Covid-19 Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are another measure that help in creating an even safer environment.

College testing

On returning to college, you will be expected to take three Covid-19 tests on campus, which will help to identify anyone who may be infectious.  These tests in college will happen three to five days apart.

Anyone who has taken their first test will need a negative result before coming into the classroom. After your second and third test, you can return to lessons while you wait for your results. 

Home testing 

After your three tests at college, you will be expected to take tests at home twice per week. 

Results

You will receive your test result on your phone or by email. If this is negative, you will be told when to begin your timetabled sessions. 

If positive, you must not return to college. You must self-isolate and book a test through the NHS website.

Before getting tested, you will need to complete a consent form with your tutors. You can find the NHS’ helpful guide to testing here.

There will be a different approach to testing and returning to learning for higher education students and apprentices. If this applies to you, please get in touch with your tutor for more information.

We’ve created this video to show you how to take your lateral flow test at college.

Questions?

We’d like to thank everyone for their hard work and determination during such a challenging time. We’re really looking forward to welcoming you back into college next month and hope to return to normality soon. 

If you have any questions about attending college, please get in touch by emailing courses@leedssixthform.ac.uk. You can also take a look at our student FAQs here.

Rachael Booth

Principal at Leeds Sixth Form College

The government’s national lockdown announcement means working and learning is currently taking place online. This is because of the rising Covid-19 infection rates and this will allow our college to prepare Covid-19 testing for our students. This is because of the rising Covid-19 infection rates and this will allow our college to prepare Covid-19 testing for our students. 

Key changes are below:

• We have made the decision to cancel all exams to keep our students and staff safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. Students should not attend college for their exams. 

• Apprentices will be contacted by their tutors/assessors as different arrangements may apply to them.

• When the national lockdown is lifted, all students will return to college in line with our plans for mass Covid-19 testing.

We will provide further information, including details of our mass Covid-19 testing plans, once confirmed. 

If you are a student and have further questions, please contact your tutor.

Find out more information on Leeds Sixth Form College blended learning here.

Over the past twelve months, we’ve been busy transforming areas of the building to make way for exciting new facilities.

Fusing innovation with excellence, these dynamic  spaces will allow you to learn in an inspiring and independent way. 

Our new engaging environments include:

Learning Resource Centre (LRC)

Our new Learning Resource Centre brings learning to life where you can study, learn and be inspired. Exclusive to sixth form students, the centre offers a quiet space for you to complete work and develop your knowledge. 

More than just a library, the centre can help enhance your abilities. A member of the iLearn team will always be based here to offer support and help you improve important independent skills.

The LRC is also home to the Achievement Centre, where you can have one-on-one sessions with subject staff to support you in achieving your aspirational targets . 

Take a virtual tour of the new LRC here.

Natural Press coffee shop

If you fancy a break from your studies, our modern coffee shop gives you the opportunity to relax in an exclusive social space. As part of our green pledge, we will adopt an eco-friendly theme, and have plants throughout the space.

Due to open early in the new year, Natural Press will offer hot drinks, hot food and quick snacks.

Auditorium

Our large, open plan auditorium has been specially designed for assemblies, exams, external guest speakers, enrichment activities and student life projects. We can also separate the area into two sections depending on the activity. 

If you’d like to use the auditorium for an activity, get in touch with your personal tutor.

Look and Feel Project (B Block)

As part of our exciting ‘Look and Feel Project’, each level of B Block has been divided into distinct faculty zones. 

We know how important colour is for changing the dynamics and feel of a space, so we’ve given the entrance to each floor a unique feature wall, inspired by themes from the subject areas. 

In these spaces, we’ve also created dynamic and independent learning and seating spaces to shape an engaging environment. 

We hope these new facilities will invigorate your learning and strengthen your academic abilities.

Leeds Sixth Form College is celebrating being the first post-16 provider in the city to be awarded MindMate Friendly status for its commitment to improving the wellbeing of students. 

To achieve MindMate Friendly status, the college completed an in-depth assessment, focusing on safe spaces, teacher training and tackling wellbeing concerns. 

The Health and Wellbeing Service Advisor at Leeds City Council who worked with the college, said: “There has clearly been a huge investment in pastoral and academic support, allowing students to reach their full potential. The college has demonstrated how their staff are committed to going above and beyond for students’ welfare and act as a strong pillar of support, resulting in an outstanding self-assessment.

“Leeds Sixth Form College achieved this status due to its outstanding contributions to support services for students and families across areas including leadership, policy development, curriculum, assessment and school ethos.

Rachael Booth, Principal of Leeds Sixth Form College, added: “Being the first post-16 provider in Leeds to be awarded MindMate Friendly status is a fantastic achievement. Each department makes an incredible effort to meet students’ pastoral needs, enabling them to build vital emotional resilience. 

“We understand the importance of supporting our young people and their families, especially during such a difficult period. We are currently planning a ‘green box’ initiative, which will see parents and carers receive a mental health support kit. This will include advice and research-based strategies, which aim to bring a better quality of life during emotionally charged periods, such as the lockdown or exams.”

The MindMate Friendly programme was launched as part of the Future In Mind: Leeds Strategy; a city-wide programme aiming to support young people’s emotional and mental health. The strategy involves working with schools and colleges to help them achieve Mindmate Friendly status, and then Mindmate Champion status. 

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for learning, skills and employment, commented: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our city’s young people is always our top priority. Never has it been so important to do everything we can to support young people, with the uncertainty and struggles they continue to face as a result of Covid-19.  

“Congratulations to Leeds Sixth Form College on the outstanding work they are doing to support students and their families, and for being the first post-16 provider in Leeds to achieve Mindmate Friendly status.”