This is a live page and was last updated at 17:50 1st Jan 2022
Please use this website as your primary source of information in relation to School activities - the page will be reviewed regularly and updates will be provided as and when we have them.

STUDENTS PLEASE REFER TO THE INFORMATION BELOW FOR YOUR CAMPUS Both Campuses - On Sunday 2nd the government issued new guidance recommending that face coverings should be worn in teaching spaces as well as communal areas. So please be aware of this when you return to campus on 4th January

Update 14:10 PM 4th Oct 2021
Please use this website as your primary source of information in relation to School activities - the page will be reviewed regularly and updates will be provided as and when we have them.

STUDENTS PLEASE REFER TO THE INFORMATION BELOW FOR YOUR CAMPUS The safety of our students and staff is our priority – we have operated safely throughout the pandemic and with no transmission of the virus on either or our campuses. Staff and our Student Union have worked together to respond to the pandemic and will continue to do so. Before you come to either campus in September we ask that you use the freely available LFD test kits twice in the week before your start date – if you test positive please don’t come on to campus – let us know and follow NHS advice. We have worked hard to ensure that students have not and will not be disadvantaged educationally, this is reflected in the very positive results of our 2021 Student Perception Survey. As we move into a new phase we want to keep you informed – so please refer to the information below for each campus. gThis page will be regularly updated to reflect Government Guidance and our own operating position. For everyone returning or joining us this September… Welcome to our creative community!
Newport Road, Middlesbrough Campus
Teaching will be in-person with lectures workshops and tutorials.

You have enrolled on a full-time study programme, and you will be issued with your timetable once you meet your tutors. We are currently planning for the majority of teaching and learning to take place onsite, to provide you with access to our specialist resources. Your course has been planned to include the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours to help you towards your next steps such as further studying or employment. We expect you to attend all lessons (onsite, remote based, and any field trips etc) unless there is a prior appointment / reason that you have informed your tutors of.

Please appreciate whilst we attempt to keep any timetable changes to a minimum, they can be subject to change for a variety of reasons and therefore we ask that you prioritise your learning over other commitments such as part time jobs

Face coverings are no longer advised in teaching or communal areas. Government advice is that they should be worn in enclosed crowded areas. Face covering is a personal choice and we ask everyone to respect individual choices.

When travelling to and from campus please respect the requirements of the transport operator and wear a face covering if asked to do so.

We will maintain enhanced cleaning and hand sanitisation

We have Outbreak Control plans in place if a student or staff member reports symptoms or tests positive.

We will offer all students two LFD tests at the start of term. After this we ask students and staff to test twice weekly with a freely available LFD kit and report the result using the NHS Test and Trace website (https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result)

We strongly encourage students to get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible – this will help to minimise risk and the possibility of you being asked to self-isolate.

Tuition Fund Statement
The Education and Skills Funding Agency 16 to 19 tuition fund has been allocated to colleges in 2021/22 in addition to the primary college funding. The funding is being provided to support small group tuition for 16 to 19 students in English, maths and other courses where learning has been disrupted due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Find out more here: 16-19 Tuition Fund Statement
Hartlepool Campus
New Starters!

We look forward to meeting you at the Art Café at No 1 Church Street, Hartlepool, at 10am. Further information will be included in your starter information.

Returning students!

We look forward to seeing you again w/c 27th September.

The safety of our students and staff is our priority – we have operated safely throughout the pandemic. Staff and our Student Union have worked together to respond dynamically to the pandemic and will continue to do so.

We are operating as normal in a COVID secure environment, to help this all staff and students should be taking an LFD test twice each week. Before you come to campus in September we ask that you use the freely available LFD test kits twice in the week before your start date – if you test positive please don’t come on to campus – let us know and follow NHS advice.

You should continue to use LFD tests twice a week after this. (Kits can be ordered online or collected from the local Test and Collect Centre in Middleton Grange shopping centre open 9-5, visit https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/info/20081/health_and_well_being/1050/new_covid_test_and_collect_centre_opens_in_hartlepool/1).

If you have symptoms please take a test. If your LFD test is positive please do not come to campus, self-isolate and book a PCR test (www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119). Please report your test results using the NHS Test and Trace website (https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result), please use the new post code for the school which is TS1 1LA (this appears an a drop down option in the app. Please change to this postcode if you are already using the reporting app. We are, as ever, working closely with our accommodation provider, Thirteen, to ensure your safety in compliance with government guidance.

Your COVID secure environment
• When you arrive in the morning you will need to check your temperature at one of the infrared thermometers in reception

• There are hand sanitisers installed throughout the campus – please observe good hand sanitising and washing practises

• We have additional cleaning staff on site all day every day to ensure that areas of hand contact are clean and to respond to any issues

• We have CO2 monitors to assess air quality and circulation and we will have enhanced ventilation where appropriate (including open windows and doors in some places)

• We have plans in place to deal with any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID, including a dedicated isolation room. Whilst you should of course use NHS Test and Trace as the route to report a positive test we ask that you also notify us as this helps us respond quickly identifying close contacts and minimising the risk of transmission.

• In IT suites and areas where equipment may be shared there will be supplies of disinfectant wipes for you to use to wipe down keyboards before and after use.

• Hand sanitisers are available in the library – please use them before you handle any books/periodicals/journals.

Finally, face-coverings – in line with Government guidance these are no longer advised for students, staff and visitors in teaching and communal areas. Wearing a face covering is of course a personal choice, based upon your own assessment of risk. In areas of close proximity and during some technical demonstrations you may be encouraged to wear a mask (unless exempt). In the past 18 months we have worked hard to ensure that students have not and will not be disadvantaged educationally, this is reflected in the very positive results of our 2021 Student Perception Survey.

As we move into a new phase we want to keep you informed – so please refer to this web page and make sure you are following @TheNorthernArt for social updates

We strongly encourage students to get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible – this will help to minimise risk and the possibility of you being asked to self-isolate.
Student Services Update If you require any support during this difficult time please remember that Student Services are still available to you if you have any queries, concerns or worries. The team are all working on campus and remotely. If you are a current student you can also chat and message them on Teams. Send any general queries to: Hartlepool - hestudentservices@northernart.ac.uk Middlesbrough - studentservices@northernart.ac.uk You can also follow Student Services on Facebook for any updates from them and useful tips and advice on student related issues https://www.facebook.com/TheNorthernStudentServices/ If you have any concerns about you or your family’s health in relation to suspected Coronavirus, we ask that they follow current Public Health England advice or visit www.nhs.uk Online Safety At this time you are probably spending more time online and it is therefore more important than ever to ensure that you stay safe online. If you have any concerns about working online with regard to the School please contact our safeguarding team – safeguarding@northernart.ac.uk The following websites have useful information and guidance on what to do should you have an issue online: · UK Safer Internet Centre - to report and remove harmful online content saferinternet.org.uk · CEOP - for advice on making a report about online abuse ceop.police.uk Mental Health and Wellbeing This is also a time when we have to take extra care of our mental health. The anxiety, stress and uncertainty of the current situation and the massive changes we’re having to make to our lifestyles are understandably having an impact on people’s mental health too. If you need to talk to someone the Counselling Service can be contacted on counselling@northernart.ac.uk Most of the mental health organisations have produced excellent hints and tips on looking after yourself during this time. You may want to have a look at the links below for advice, however if you are in crisis and in need of immediate support please contact the emergency services on 999 or there are a number of organisations who can support you if you are experiencing a mental health crisis: The Samaritans - call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org Shout crisis text line - text 85258 Papyrus Hopeline - call 0800 068 4141, text 077 8620 9697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org for support and advice For general mental health and wellbeing - check out the following websites mind.org.uk studentminds.org.uk youngminds.org.uk

For further information and updates...

Please continue to check your student email accounts regularly. Information and updates will also be provided on this website. We wish all our students, staff, parents, carers and partners a safe & peaceful summer. We look forward to seeing you again in person as soon as it is safe to do so.

GUIDANCE LINKS

There are things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading: Do -cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze -put used tissues in the bin immediately -wash your hands with soap and water often - use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available -try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell Don't - do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean