The University of Derby has risen 38 places in the national rankings, achieving a rating of 85 percent overall student satisfaction in this year’s National Survey of Students (NSS).

It also achieved 100% overall satisfaction in 14 subject areas in the high-profile annual census of nearly half a million final year students across the UK, commissioned by the Office for Students.

Students gave a clean sweep of positive feedback for subjects including Business and Management, Sport Management, Civil Engineering, Commercial Photography, Child and Youth Studies, Health and Social Care and LLB with Criminology.

Derby’s 2020 satisfaction rate has seen it rise to 55^th in the national rankings, out of 155 UK higher education institutions.

The University credited closer working with student representatives after increasing its scores in the key areas of teaching, assessment and feedback, academic support, learning resources, and student voice.

To ensure that students play a meaningful part in University decision-making, the Union of Students are represented on key internal committees, are part of the University’s Governing Council and are involved in the recruitment process for Executive appointments.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “The quality of the experience our students have during their studies is of paramount importance to us, so to see that overall satisfaction has risen is very pleasing. The result is testament to listening closely to the needs of our students, the dedication of our staff and the high quality teaching at Derby that has earned national recognition as a TEF Gold institution.

“We are not complacent and are determined to continue improving the experience of our students. It has been a hugely unsettling time for everyone but our staff have worked tirelessly to implement the transition to off-campus teaching as the country went into lockdown, and we are now looking forward to a new academic year, and a new blended approach to learning, which we will make as full and rewarding for our students as possible.”

Professor Malcolm Todd, Provost (Academic and Student Experience), added: “One of the great strengths at Derby is the partnership we have with our students. We ensure that the student voice is at the heart of our decision-making, whether that be related to developing our curriculum or ensuring that we remain a university which opens its doors to all who have the ambition and desire to learn and progress.”

For more information about the University’s commitment to enhancing the student experience at Derby, click here.

The University of Derby supports the marketing and economic growth of the Chesterfield through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

To find out more about the University of Derby Chesterfield campus, click here.

The University of Derby’s St Helena Campus, located in Chesterfield town centre

Chesterfield College will ensure all new students have access to a programme of online learning and support, designed to kick-start their return to education before the start of the new academic year in September.

The measures are designed specifically to support current year 11 students to allow them to catch up on the missed months of learning they have had since March.

The college has put a range of measures in place to ensure students who will be joining them to study a full-time course in September can start developing the skills they need now. They have streamlined the application and enrolment process to allow new-starters access to expert tutors and a range of support before the new term gets underway.

The new programme will include engaging, interactive online learning and support specific to the subject students want to study. It will also provide plenty of opportunities to get to know tutors and their peers on their course.

David Malone, Chief Operations Officer at Chesterfield College said: “We want work with school leavers, and anyone else returning to learning, to reduce the impact their time away from education will have had. This initiative will help to provide a head start so they can make the next academic year really count and give them the best chance to boost their future grades. ”

He added: “Our promise to all new students who take part in this programme is that they will start the new academic year feeling prepared and confident to move onto the next stage of their studies. As soon as students are offered a place at college they are part of our community and this programme will help them to feel connected from the outset.”

To take advantage of this initiative, the college is urging school leavers to apply as soon as possible to ensure they secure a place on the course they are most interested in. Once enrolled, tutors will be in touch with key information about how students can get their learning started, giving them access to the college’s virtual learning environment.

To find out more about the courses available visit www.chesterfield.ac.uk/courses. Trained advisors are also available for anyone who needs support to choose a course or find out about funding on 01246 500500 or enquiries@chesterfield.ac.uk.

Click here to find out more about Chesterfield College

Chesterfield College

Derbyshire County Council careers coaches are giving free help to groups who have been affected by the current situation.

Students in years 11, 12 and 13 whose exams have been cancelled can ask for advice about future employment, education and training. It’s not just children who can get in touch – their parents or carers can get in touch, either on their behalf or on their own behalf, for help.

Those who have lost their jobs or are furloughed are being signposted to a wide range of resources including use of the government’s ‘Skills Toolkit’ which has free courses for all abilities to help develop workplace and digital skills. And help is being given to employers who need to recruit workers for essential roles.

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People, said: “We are acutely aware of the pressure that many of our residents, businesses and services are under during the coronavirus pandemic. People are fearful for their jobs, their education and their futures.”

“We want to help where we can and extending our jobs and careers advice is one way we can do this. Our staff are friendly, highly knowledgeable and approachable.”

“I am sure this extended service will be of great benefit to those who need it and I urge them to get in touch.”

The careers coaches would normally offer face-to-face appointments, drop in sessions or group workshops but these are not possible at the moment. Instead support is being given by phone, email, video calls or text.

The free support is wide ranging according to the person or business’s specific needs and may include things like the best ways to job hunt or to recruit staff, improving interview skills, further training and funding opportunities.

Follow up sessions are offered after an initial appointment and continue to be free of charge as the work is government funded through the National Careers Service.

Find out more about the National Careers Service.

Chesterfield College are helping adults who want to boost their career or develop new skills needed in the current economic climate by running a range of new Access to Higher Education courses.

The access courses, starting in September, have been developed to give people the qualifications and skills they need for university level-study which can open doors for a range of careers in a sector where skills are in demand. They are now available in a range of subjects from nursing and public services to computing and business.

The courses are often free, or affordable financial support is available to cover the cost. For anyone aged 19-23, studying their first Level 3 course, the access courses are free. For anyone aged 24 or over, an Advanced Learner Loan, which works in the same way as a student loan, will cover all of the course fees. Learners don’t start paying this loan back until they start earning at least £25K per year. If they progress to university and complete a degree course, Access to Higher Education course fees are written off meaning students won’t owe anything.

The college is providing a call back service to help anyone interested in finding out more. Click here to register for a call from a member of the specialist team and read more about how the access courses work.

Chesterfield College is also holding a series of virtual events to help people get the information they need to make the right choice about their future study options. The college is inviting school leavers, and adults who want to retrain or develop their skills, to join any of their virtual events taking place throughout May and June.

A virtual open day takes place on Wednesday 3 June between 4 and 6pm and a new series of ‘Live at Lunchtime’ chats on Instagram are taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Click here to find out more about Chesterfield College

A secondary academy based in Chesterfield has donated PPE equipment to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Elm Lodge Care Home in Newbold.

Outwood Academy Newbold has donated plastic gowns and 300 pairs of goggles from its science labs to Chesterfield Royal Hospital to assist staff during the current coronavirus outbreak.

Students and staff have also been busy making PPE visors using laminator pouches, plastic sheeting and cut with the academy’s laser cutter. The visors have since been donated to Elm Lodge Care Home in Chesterfield.

Steve Roberts, Principal of Outwood Academy Newbold, said: “We are in the midst of a national crisis and it is time that we believe we all need to come together to support each other to help the country get through this situation. This is why we decided to take action to do what we can to help our NHS.”

“Obviously we aren’t equipped with the medical equipment that can be of use to the NHS, but as a school we do have science labs and as such we have plenty of goggles which are of use so we decided to donate them.”

“We will continue to make more visors like this and have offered it out to other care homes in the local area.”

Outwood Academy Newbold is part of the new North Derbyshire Careers Hub, a network of 21 schools and colleges working together to transform careers education for young people across the region.

Led by the D2N2 LEP, with financial support from the Careers & Enterprise Company, the Careers Hub works collaboratively with local schools, universities, training providers, employers, Enterprise Advisers, careers professionals and Shirebrook Academy to deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks and improve careers outcomes for young people.

In addition, the Careers Hub also offers a central fund for employer engagement activities and training for a ‘Careers Leader’ in each school.

Daniel Heffernan, D2N2 Careers Hub Lead, said: “We are delighted that the students are using this time to both increase their employability skills whilst supporting our fantastic NHS.”

Click here to find out more about the North Derbyshire Careers Hub