Supporting you and your learners

Academic and Pastoral Support

The University has extensive resources to ensure that our apprentices can feel supported throughout their apprenticeship. Apprentices can access academic and pastoral support through their programme teams: Programme Leaders, Module Leaders, Personal Tutor, Apprenticeship Coach and Academic Skills Units.

The University offers a wide range of other support mechanisms for apprentices which the AC or Programme Leader can provide further information about. This includes career advice and guidance, wellbeing and safeguarding, and access to the students’ union services including clubs and sports activities.

The extensive Learning Resource Centre is accessible to all apprentices as is the virtual learning environment, Studynet, where teaching materials, reading lists other learning resources and assessment information is available.

The AC should be the first point of contact for employers and apprentices if you wish to raise or discuss any issues or concerns.

Wellbeing

Apprentices all have access to central University student wellbeing support offering counselling, disability and mental health services and financial wellbeing support. For more information please contact the service at StudentWellbeing@herts.ac.uk or visit their online resource at https://www.herts.ac.uk/life/support-and-wellbeing

Complaints

Any complaints about: (i) academic issues; or (ii) non-academic issues relating to the University’s training, services or facilities, should be referred in the first instance to the First Contact at the University for consideration by the University in accordance its policies including those relating to the escalation of a complaint. Copies of the applicable policies are available from http://www.herts.ac.uk/about-us/legal/complaints-policy.  

Any party may at any time contact the Apprenticeship Helpline regarding apprenticeship concerns, complaints and enquiries:  

Telephone: 0800 015 0400

nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk 

https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide/overview

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/education-and-skills-funding-agency

Further useful support information – Extensions and conduct

University absences

Where a learner is unable to attend a scheduled academic session, the learner should inform, via email:

• Programme Leader
• Module Leader
• Employer
• Apprenticeship Coach (AC)
• UH Absence Reporting inbox (apprenticeabsence@herts.ac.uk)

Extensions

The University can offer extensions of up to 7 calendar days in agreement with the module leader (or 10 days if a relevant Study Needs Agreement is in place for the learner). This allows the learner to submit their work after the deadline without a penalty or need for a resit. For extensions longer than 7 days, the learner must apply for Exceptional Circumstances. Apprentices are encouraged to inform employers for their need to request extensions.

Please note:

• Extensions are not automatic – the learner must ask their Programme and Module Leaders for permission;
• Some assessments may not allow extensions, or may allow fewer days;
• The Programme Leader is the first point of contact regarding Extensions.

Exceptional Circumstances (ECs)

The University operates an Exceptional Circumstances (ECs) policy http://sitem.herts.ac.uk/secreg/upr/AS14.htm. Requests for ECs are made by the learner via their student record. Learners wishing to defer an assessment should submit an EC request.

EC requests must be submitted no more than 15 working days after the assessment submission deadline, and at least 5 working days before the Board of Examiners. Supporting evidence should be submitted at the same time of the request. The EC team is available to support with the request at ExceptionalCircumstances@herts.ac.uk.

Fit to Sit policy 

If a learner attends an exam or submits a piece of coursework, they are declaring that they are fit to do so.

However, there might be circumstances which could impact their ability to understand their ill health at the time of submission or attendance. The University operates a Fit to Sit policy which covers these circumstances.

What circumstances are covered under the Fit to Sit policy?

1. Where you suddenly become unwell during an examination or in-class test and elect to leave without completing the assessment.
2. Where at the time of sitting or submitting the assessment concerned, you were suffering from serious ill health or other circumstances which impaired your ability to make a rational judgement as to your ability to take the assessment.

What is the time frame for Fit to Sit requests?

If your circumstances fall under the first option (becoming unwell during an exam or in-class test and electing to leave), you will need to submit your request by midnight on the calendar day of the assessment.

If your circumstance falls under the second option (you were not capable of understanding your performance would be affected) you must make a request within 15 working days of the assessment submission date but no later than 5 working days before the board.

Requests for this are made by the learner via their Student Record. Click here for step-by-step guidance.

Academic Conduct 

The University has strict regulations relating to Academic misconduct and assessment offences. This includes plagiarism, collusion, cheating, breaches of professional confidentiality and failure to comply with research ethics involving human participants.  

Employers will be informed if an apprentice is being investigated for an academic conduct offence and the outcome of the investigation as identified in the Written Agreement, Schedule 2.

Academic Support Units

Each school has a dedicated academic support unit. Please refer to the specific school contact information as seen below, or contact your AC.