Learner FAQs

Following the Government announcement of a national lockdown, the vast majority of our learners will study remotely for the time being. The provisional return to campus date is now extended until Monday 8th March.

• What will happen with examinations and course related assessments?

  At BSDC many of our qualifications are vocational/technical and therefore are not exclusively reliant on exams but are assessed through unit/module content. To maintain continuity during this unsettling period, we have implemented strategies to ensure students have access to learning via online delivery methods. Lecturers have developed programmes of work to support learning and where appropriate, assessments, assignments and revision/recap materials. It is therefore critical that you continue with your course remotely and submit all assessments using your online learning platform e.g. CANVAS. This will ensure you are in the best possible position to return to your studies and continue your course or progress to your next step.

  Following the announcement from the Department for Education (DfE) regarding the January examination series, the College has taken the difficult decision to cancel these exams with immediate effect. Our rationale for this decision is clear and has not come lightly, as we fully recognise the tremendous amount of work you will have undertaken in preparation for these exams. However, with our region having some of the highest, and rising infection rates in the country, coupled with the Prime Minister’s stay at home messaging, we have taken the decision not to run this exam series. 

  Please rest assured that arrangements will be put into place by awarding bodies (e.g. Pearson BTEC) to ensure you are not disadvantaged. We will, of course, keep you updated as and when further information is released regarding how these examinations will be mitigated. It is now vitally important that you switch your focus to participating in your virtual live lessons through Canvas and work towards undertaking and achieving the remaining units for your respective qualifications, as this will give you the best opportunity of obtaining your grade aspirations and desired destination. 

  Please find the latest information about current arrangements for scheduled exams and awarding qualifications this summer – click here.

   

• How do I access online learning?

  Learners are asked to log into their respective learning platform using their normal log-in credentials. Links to our online learning platforms can be found below or accessed through our internal services webpage. 

  All Full Time, Part Time and Higher Education Programmes

  Canvas

  All Apprenticeship Programmes 

  Learning Assistant

  IMI (Motor Vehicle only)

  The learning platforms will provide further information on course specific content and learning expectations during this period. Where possible, tutors will also be on hand during timetabled sessions to provide virtual guidance on completing learning materials and assessment activities. For learners undertaking maths and English qualifications alongside their vocational study programmes, they are also expected to visit their respective Canvas pages for directions on learning content and learning expectations.

• What if I can’t login to CANVAS or I have forgotten my password?

  Any Login issues should be sent directly to your area’s email enquiry address (See enquiries drop-down below) where it will be actioned or assigned to the appropriate team.

• What am I required to study and engage with?

  We will ensure that all sessions will be delivered through Microsoft Teams via Canvas. There will be no amendments made to your timetable and each programme will continue to deliver the normal timetabled session times. Your live timetabled sessions and related course information can be accessed via the College’s virtual learning platform CANVAS.

• What support can I access?

  We have a scaled down staff provision for any additional learning support. Any access/support requests should be sent directly to your area’s email enquiry address (See the Learning Enquiries section on the following page) where it will be assigned to the Learner Services and Progress Coach Team to resolve.

Learning enquiries

The College has set up a number of enquiry email addresses for learners, parents and carers who may be experiencing difficulties in accessing learning materials. Please note, these email enquiry addresses are solely for the purposes of education and welfare matters, where we will be aiming to respond in a timely manner. We strongly advise against attempting to contact individual staff members during this period as we will not be able to guarantee a timely response.

For enquiries relating to non-education matters then please can we ask you to contact our general enquires at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   

• I am studying an Advanced Learner Loan funded programme or Higher Education and I have a loan. Will this continue to be paid?

  We are expecting all fees and loans will continue during this period. We are awaiting clarification and we will post updates as they become available.

• Will my work placement continue? (All industry placements, including early years)

  Early Years placements will continue where permitted, with lateral flow testing in place for the week commencing 11 January. All other planned placements have already been scheduled for later in the academic year. We are aware of the hard work and commitment that all learners involved in placements have been making. We are proud of these efforts, but health and safety will always be paramount. Please be assured your studies will not be affected, and we will ensure you will be able to continue to progress and complete your programme of study.

• What is the guidance on breaks/holidays?

  Holidays remain in place as listed in the Key Dates section on the website.

• How can I look after my mental health?

  You don’t have to be self-isolating in order for coronavirus concerns to have an impact on your mental health. You might find yourself feeling worried about the spread of coronavirus and its impact on you and your loved ones. These feelings are normal and it’s important we acknowledge them and remind each other to look after our physical and mental health.

  However, there are steps you can take to look after your mental health and wellbeing. A number of organisations have published guidance on mental health considerations relating to the coronavirus outbreak. A great example of this is the Student Minds website - click here. 

• If I am a vulnerable learner, have an EHCP or support requirements what can I access?

  All learners in this category will be contacted individually to assess their specific needs. We will be allocating spaces that will facilitate access to resources and support but will not include teaching and delivery. This will only be available through an allocated booking.

We are keen to continue our usual level of support to our most vulnerable learners through this time. Below is an outline of all the ways we will be doing this:

• Safe Space

  All learners with Education, Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and or a designated Social Worker (our most vulnerable) have been contacted individually and asked if they wish to access the College (LRC) as a safe space. Where requested access has been arranged by appointment only. 

  If you wish to come in to College, either to work or seek refuge, please contact the team by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will then do our best to make arrangements to accommodate your request.

• Counselling

  Our Counselling Team will be offering telephone appointments.  Requests for access to the service should be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

  Those requiring additional support can access online services such as Kooth (www.kooth.com) and Qwell (www.qwell.io). 

  If you are in a moment of crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 who are available 24/7, 365 Days a year.

• Safeguarding

  All normal safeguarding procedures still apply. Where a learner makes contact with the College and they are at risk of harm (from themselves or others) we have procedures in place to escalate this to a duty Safeguarding Officer who will respond directly to the learner and initiate any appropriate action. 

  Our Safeguarding Team will also be regularly checking in with our most vulnerable safeguarded learners and Looked-after Children (LAC) to ensure they are safe and well.

• Financial Support

  The Financial Support Team have come up with some innovative ways to support learners during this time for Learners who may be currently living independently (with or without dependents) or are experiencing a moment of crisis.   

  Requests should initially be directed at your Progress Coaches who may then make requests for support on your behalf.  

  Please note that during this time you do not have to be already approved to receive financial support just be able to demonstrate a need for support. Please note, budgets are limited and support will be prioritised and cannot be guaranteed.