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Trailblazing Foundation Year Students Complete Their First Term
It’s been a busy but rewarding first term for students on the new Foundation Year programme at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) with all three of the new cohorts well on their way to completing the first year of their university journeys. Already students have completed two of the required eight modules needed to complete the year, ‘Self as Learner’ and ‘Resourcing Learning’ with a further two modules due to be finished in February 2020. The completed modules have focused on underpinning key academic skills that the students may need to hone if they continue with their studies such as: - using library resources effectively, referencing, reading for a purpose and understanding how individuals learn. Foundation Year courses offer the chance to study almost any undergraduate degree at BGU over four years, rather than the traditional three, providing an extended and intensive induction to Higher Education (HE) that can open the doors to those that may have previously thought university wasn’t an option. The first year is focused on equipping learners with the necessary tools to excel in Higher Education such as critical thinking and digital skills along with boosting confidence and employability. As the year progresses learners are able to engage with their chosen subject through special sessions and projects and once the first year has been completed they will then move straight onto the rest of the course without having to reapply. The Foundation Year programme really gives people a taste of university life, raising aspirations in addition to offering different study choices and career opportunities that may not otherwise be considered. The beauty of the course is how adaptable it is and the amount of support students receive with their learning. There are no set exams and assessments are all project/assignment based and students have both a personal tutor as well as a subject liaison tutor, ensuring they have the best preparation possible to succeed in their chosen path. While some people might find the idea of an extra year at university daunting, many of the students taking part in the new programme have found it beneficial to their success as current student Pollie Simpson explains: “I’m really pleased that I decided to enrol on the Foundation Year for my degree course. It has helped me feel confident in returning to education after a gap of more than thirty years. The tutors are so supportive and have helped me to develop my academic skills.” And Brendan Brown, one of Pollie’s fellow Foundation Year students, shared his views: “Being a mature student, I was nervous about coming to university but I was well supported by the application office at BGU to go through clearing. After being given a place, I have thrown myself into university life, every single person I have meet so far on my journey has been helpful.” If you’d like to find out more about the new Foundation Year course options, visit our Foundation Year web page, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us on one of Open Days. -
What it means to be human explored in new publication
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently celebrated the release of a significant publication that aims to bring a new understanding of what it means to be human. -
BGU joins fellow East Midlands Universities in support for Armed Forces Covenant
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) joined eight other universities from the East Midlands to celebrate the updating of their Armed Forces Covenants in a joint ceremony held at the University of Leicester last week. The revised agreements include new, clear-cut promises to support Armed Forces personnel. -
Entrepreneurial Enterprises and Start-up Advice on the Agenda at BG Futures Business Open Morning
BG Futures, the Business and Enterprise Centre at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), opened its doors to the University’s students for a morning of start-up advice, business support and networking. -
Explore Death, Grief and Medieval Beliefs on the Second 2020 Death and Dying Conference Weekend
Split over two weekends, the annual Death and Dying Conference at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) aims to provide a forum where emotionally draining or difficult to discuss topics can be shared and explored with both respect and understanding. -
Using Shared Reading to explore the ‘telling’ of death
Earlier this year, at the 2020 Death and Dying conference, attendees came together to discuss how shared reading could explore the ‘telling’ of death. One of the goals of the workshop was to use art to capture a ‘live’ response that included something of the personal and transitory nature of the event. Aimee Quickfall, Head of Programmes for Primary Education and Early Years at BGU, Dr Clare Lawrence, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Development, and Dr John Rimmer, Senior Lecturer PGCE secondary (art and design), share their feedback on the unique and engaging experience. Using Shared Reading to explore the ‘telling’ of death Academic and Creative Responses to Death and Dying Conference, BGU 2020 Dr Clare Lawrence, Aimee Quickfall, Dr John Rimmer Shared Reading is an approach pioneered and developed by Jane Davis to use the read-aloud experience of literary texts to explore group participants’ reflections, thoughts and memories, where the text is presented as a live presence, not as something pre-read or an object of study. This Shared Reading workshop was part of a conference that had as its theme, How to tell the children, and as such used texts that explored the ‘telling’ of death, and the experience of parents’ death as understood by the (adult) child of those parents. The text chosen were Gertrude’s description of Ophelia’s death in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act IV sc. v and Charles Causley’s poem Eden Rock. Throughout the workshop Aimee Quickfall took notes visually, sketching and drawing as the participants talked. These sketches sought to capture something of the perspectives and experiences of those who took part, less to create a factual record and more to produce a live response that included something of the personal and transitory nature of the event. This method builds on the work of Heath and Chapman (2018), who believe that ‘a sketch does something different to, say, a photograph or a written field note’ (Heath and Chapman, 2018 p. 715). Back and Puwar (2012) suggest that the nature of data that is generated through sketching is different from that generated through other methods, not least because of what drawing, of necessity, leaves out. The artist must choose what to record, so that the record is always synthesised and personalised in a way that a mechanical record is not. Midgley (2011) believes that this means that drawing can capture passions and tensions in a way that other means of recording do not. The discussions during the workshop were then further synthesised by John Rimmer, who worked what was discussed into a piece of highly abstract animated art, reflecting his interpretation of the themes that were explored. These academic and Creative responses to the workshop will be shared in due course through published output. If you’d like to explore a future as part of diverse learning community, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team, or book onto an Open Event to find out how to take your first steps. References: Back, L., & Puwar, N. (2012). A manifesto for live methods: provocations and capacities. The sociological review, 60, 6-17. Heath, S., Chapman, L., & Centre Sketchers, T. M. (2018). Observational sketching as method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 21(6), 713-728. Midgley, J. (2011). Drawing Lives-Reportage at Work. Studies in Material Thinking, (4). Retrieved, 5. -
Clap for carers: How two BGU students are helping the most vulnerable during Covid-19
As the United Kingdom continues to grapple with ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic care providers across the country have been adapting their procedures to ensure that vulnerable people receive the support they need. EarlyBird Lifestyle Support is one of these hard-working groups and they’ve been sharing how the pandemic has impacted their work. Created and run by Bishop Grosseteste University students Damian Taylor (MA Health & Social Care) and Neil Martin (MA Education with TESOL) Earlybird prides itself on being a friendly well-being service supporting people throughout the city of Lincoln and surrounding areas with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, collecting prescriptions and medication, food shopping, trips out, escorting individuals to appointments and more. Damian discusses the changes the pandemic, and associated lockdown, has brought and how the team at Earlybird have adapted to it: “We work with many of groups left most vulnerable to COVID-19, primarily our older clients but also younger individuals suffering from mental health or other disability related problems. We wore a lot of protection anyway, but we’ve had to increase our use of PPE. It’s been so difficult to find supplies for reasonable prices though. We are also finding that many of our clients find the staff wearing the full PPE quite intimidating and try our best not to scare them off. Ultimately our team works to promote independence for vulnerable people, allowing them to lead their choice of lifestyle. That choice can be so easily lost at times like this and I’m proud to think we’re helping people to keep some level of freedom. I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work during this time. Their enthusiasm and professionalism haven’t dropped once. They’re truly the backbone to the business, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.” Support from EarlyBird is available to anyone in Lincolnshire and the surrounding area, to find out how they can help you visit their website, or get in contact via email at info@ebls.co.uk or on 01522424161. Damian and Neil are the one of the many success stories to emerge from the BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU). If you have got a vision for your own business but aren’t sure where to begin then the BG Futures team are the perfect place to start. With facilities and expert support available in their incubation centre, they’ll be able to get you on the road to success. Visit our website or contact them today to see how you can start your own adventure. -
‘World Changing’ Trans Student Experience Project Included in International Social Psychology Text
The CELT-LTIF funded ‘Transforming the Student Experience’ project has been featured as an example of ‘world changing’ applied research in a new book. The project was co designed and developed through a partnership between trans and non-trans students and staff and has seen many of its recommendations, including more inclusive welcome messaging and trans awareness training for staff and students, either achieved or in the process of going through the University Committee structure. Internationally renowned Social Psychologist Wendy Stainton Rogers was impressed by the project following a presentation by Sue Becker and former BGU student Ashley Ravenwood at the BPS Psychology of Sexualities Section 20th Anniversary Conference in July 2018, describing it as: “…a great project with real progress and outcomes, and a good model to follow”. In her recent book, Perspectives on Social Psychology – A Psychology of Human Being, Rogers features the project as a case study to inspire others to come together and make positive changes in their communities. The project team continue to work to ensure findings and recommendations from the project are embedded into BGU policy and practice and are currently working to publish a paper outlining their approach and findings. The project team are: Alex Dale Whistler – Education Studies and Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Jayde Williams – Primary Education with recommendation for QTS Dr Sue Becker – Programme Leader for Psychology Lyndsay Muir – Senior Lecturer Dr Sue Cordell – Head of Learning Enhancement Dr Claire Thomson – Head of the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching Dr Gianina Postavaru – Lecturer in Psychology If you’d like to become a part of BGU’s research focused community, speak to a member of our Enquiries Team or join us at one of our upcoming virtual open days. -
Be Your Own Boss: BG Futures Join the Prince's Trust to Support Young Entrepreneurs
BG Futures, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise department at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) have teamed up with the Prince’s Trust to offer young entrepreneurs a route into self-employment. Sarah Moseley, Enterprise Development Manager at BG Futures and John Holliday, Prince’s Trust Executive first met in February to explore ways they could partner to support those students who were interested in setting up their own business as Sarah explains: “The Enterprise agenda at BGU already provides opportunities for students to gain knowledge, skills, work-readiness and personal development. Widening the student experience is crucial for us and the Prince’s Trusts strategy to transform young people’s lives aligns perfectly with that of BGU” The Prince’s Trust has responded to the current constraints coronavirus has imposed on face to face delivery, by offering a monthly 2-day webinar which details all the different aspects of setting up and running your own business. The subjects covered include marketing, selling, branding, finding and keeping customers, business finance, taxation, legal structure and competitor analysis. This is followed by 1-2-1 support with John on how to write a business plan and securing either grant or loan funding to cover your start-up costs. Once you launch, two years of ongoing support is provided by one of the Prince’s Trust’s experienced business mentors. Future dates earmarked for the webinars include June 22/23, July 20/21 and August 24/25. Sergiu and George, on the BA (Hons) Business (Team Entrepreneurship) and Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, Training and Skills (PGDE) courses respectively, are two of the BGU students to have taken part in the webinars so far. They shared their excitement for what their participation could offer them: “I found the course very helpful as it gave me access to the Princes Trusts vast range of resources such as business plan templates, their network and a personal 1 to 1 mentor to overlook my development and make sure I’m on the right tracks with possible funding and grants opportunities” Sergiu “I am interested in starting a business in the future and found the sessions really useful and motivational” George Speaking following their feedback Sarah said: “With many plans on hold and University students having to adapt to new ways of learning and development I am delighted that Sergiu and George felt able to take some time to focus on their future” To find out more about the work of the Enterprise Team at BG Futures contact sarah.moseley@bishopg.ac.uk Tel: 01522 563817 For further details of The Prince’s Trust programme contact John Holliday on 07766 778341. -
LiNCHigher project to provide 25,000 Lincolnshire students with online learning programme
LiNCHigher, a collaborative outreach programme that brings together Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), the University of Lincoln and 45 schools, colleges and other local organisations, is delighted to announce that they have teamed up with Lincolnshire-based creative digital agency First Media, to launch ‘LiNCHigher Learning’. LiNCHigher Learning will enable around 25,000 students across Lincolnshire access to specialist learning resources online during and beyond this COVID-19 pandemic, and is available now for schools and colleges across Lincolnshire; free of charge. Part of the Office for Students’ Uni Connect Programme that was set up in January 2017, LiNCHigher, which is a consortium of all Universities and Colleges across Lincolnshire, is the first of the 29 Uni Connect partnerships across the country to launch such a service to secondary school and college students. The programme will grant increased access to information about educational journeys, students’ aspirations and the opportunities that Higher Education can provide, as well as bringing fun activities from education providers from across the country. First Media, who specialise in creative digital solutions in eLearning, software development, web design and events, were able to add functionality to their award-winning eProspectus software to create an online learning platform that is simple and secure to use. LiNCHigher is also in the process of launching a Careers & Higher Education Outreach Hub ready for July 2021, and work with First Media has enabled the project to be fast-tracked. The new Lincolnshire Outreach Careers Hub will provide a one stop resource for all students, parents, teachers and educational advisors across Lincolnshire seeking support and guidance on all aspects of Higher Education across the county. The eProspectus already has an ecosystem in place to engage with learners, advisors, schools, colleges, training providers and local authorities across Lincolnshire. It’s designed to promote careers, pathways and opportunities available to young people, including a way for Year 11 students of applying for a place at college and it’s currently being used by 10 Local Authorities around the UK. Ian Hargreaves, Education Solutions Director for First Media, said: “We have really enjoyed working on this project with Jonathan and his team. We were able to quickly mobilise our team to produce a sophisticated and expandable solution that grows our existing platform to provide a complete solution for them in an incredibly quick timeframe.” Jonathan Lidster, Project Manager for LiNCHigher, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Lincolnshire-based First Media on this exciting online programme that, despite the current circumstances, students across the county can access some great learning resources; free of charge. “We hope that the free online material and courses will help reduce the pressure on teachers and parents, and continue to encourage students with their studies, and support and strengthen their decisions concerning their future, during this time. “We look forward to building on this online platform and working further with First Media to get out Outreach Hub released.” LiNCHigher is part of the Office for Students’ Uni Connect Programme. LiNCHigher, alongside its strategic partners, work in over 40 schools, six colleges and two Universities across Lincolnshire, aiming to raise aspirations of young people in discovering the benefits of choosing Higher Education through information, guidance and impartial advice. For more information please visit www.linchigher.co.uk
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