The Office for Students has launched a Challenge Competition, trialling higher education short courses, as part of the government’s approach to delivering the Lifelong Loan Entitlement (LLE).
The LLE will be introduced from 2025, providing individuals with a loan entitlement to the equivalent of four years of post-18 education to use over their lifetime, which can be used for both modules and full years of study at higher technical and degree levels (Levels 4-6).
The OfS has launched a Challenge Competition, an innovative opportunity to bid for funding to develop higher education short courses at Levels 4-6 in government priority areas, aiming to help people reskill or progress towards full qualifications.
The deadline for submissions of bids to the Challenge Competition is 28th September 2021.
The Institute for Apprenticeships has launched a consultation on proposed changes to existing policies that will affect the development, approval and operation of degree apprenticeships.
The changes are intended to enable degree apprenticeships to better support the skills ambitions of employers, apprentices and the nation.
The five proposed changes are:
The consultation closes on 16th September 2021.
This year’s AGM will be an opportunity to hear about last year’s activities, find out what CHES is planning for the next academic year, meet the Executive Committee and network with others currently engaged in teaching environmental science and related subjects at degree level.
All those working at CHES member institutions are welcome to attend the AGM. The event will be hosted online allowing all of our members, regardless of geographical location, to participate.
Please register by midday (12pm) on Monday 17th May to receive the meeting joining details.
If you would like to know more or have any questions, please email rhiannon@the-ies.org.
COVID-19 has disrupted teaching and learning across the board, requiring a never-before-seen level of flexibility and adaptability from both practitioners and students.
Join us at 10am, Tuesday 18th May for this year’s online CHES Forum to hear from a range of practitioners and engage in collaborative group discussions.
Speakers will present on their experiences of the pandemic, share success stories, reflect on elements that did not go to plan, and consider how these adaptations present opportunities for broader aspects of environmental science higher education. Each presentation will be followed by open discussion groups, allowing all attendees an opportunity to contribute.
The Forum is free to attend for all those working at a CHES member institution.
Our speakers include:
Dr Alison Stokes, University of Plymouth
As Vice Chair of CHES, Alison will be presenting the results of the CHES’ members survey exploring how the pandemic has impacted environmental science teaching, delivery and assessment.
Dr Naomi Holmes & Anna Hawkins, Sheffield Hallam University
Naomi and Anna will be delivering two presentations, the first exploring innovative methods for engaging students in online sessions to encourage them to find their voice, and the second presenting their experience of developing an online portfolio assessment with a range of tasks, encouraging students to engage in a variety of communication methods, learning from diverse sources and using their local environment.
Dr Rachel Dunk, Manchester Metropolitan University
Rachel will be presenting on her experience developing the Carbon Literacy for Staff and Students model for online delivery, and its subsequent national impact now that the University and College Carbon Literacy Toolkit has been shared with all UK universities, helping staff and students to become Carbon Literate.
The Green Gown Awards are now accepting entries for 2021. The Awards provide an opportunity for institutions across the UK and Ireland to be recognised for their excellent efforts in undertaking innovative and inspiring sustainability work to create a brighter future for their students.
The 2021 Awards sees the addition of a new category – Building Back Better – recognising the impact that the pandemic has had on institutions and the opportunities to drive a sustainable recovery, as well as updates to all other categories to account for the challenges and opportunities of the past year.
With a range of categories, from 2030 Climate Action and Sustainability Institution of the Year to Reporting with Influence, Next Generation Learning & Skills, and Campus of the Future, there are a variety of opportunities to submit you application.
Entries are now open and any post-15 education institution can enter for free, closing on 3rd June 2021.
The Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland. The hundreds of applicants to the Green Gown Awards are leading the way as agents of change, and the Awards, administered by The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education, have become the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the tertiary education sector.
Congratulations to the Winners, Highly Commended Entries and Finalists from accredited universities:
Applications for the Green Gown Awards 2021 will open on 1st April.
The European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR) and the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP) are currently conducting a study examining the status of decarbonisation efforts at universities.
We would be very grateful if you could spare 10 minutes of your valuable time to complete a short survey regarding the status of decarbonisation at your institution, and your views on what decarbonisation entails. It would also be fantastic if you could share the survey link with your networks.
The specification for the T-Level Technical Qualification in Science (level 3) has been published by NCFE.
Available for registrations from 1st September 2021, the Science T-Level is a high-quality, work-focussed alternative to A levels for young people once they’ve completed their GCSEs.
The Science T-Level will provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into skilled employment or higher level technical training or study in the health and science sector. The T-Level study programme is also eligible for UCAS points.
Find out more about the Science T-Level.
QAA is inviting expressions of interest to join subject advisory groups for Subject Benchmark Statements. QAA leads the development of Subject Benchmark Statements and reviews them on a cyclical basis to ensure they are useful as possible for discipline communities and can inform a range of purposes across the sector, including course design and providing support for securing academic standards.
In 2021, QAA will be reviewing Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies. Members of the academic community, employers, professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (PSRBs) and students are all encouraged to apply. Academic representatives and current students will only be drawn from higher education providers who are QAA Members.
For further information and how to submit an expression of interest please see the following web link:
EOIs are due by Friday 12 March, 5pm.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way in which further and higher education is delivered in the UK. The impacts of these changes have been particularly significant for many of our accredited members as programmes have a substantial component of experiential learning, such as fieldwork, lab work, and work placements.
As the main accrediting body for FE and HE environmental science programmes in the UK, CHES has a responsibility to support its member institutions and ensure that its environmental programme accreditation continues to benefit environmental science higher education.
We have developed an online survey to understand your experiences of delivering higher and further education throughout the pandemic, including topics like blended learning, impacts on graduate employability, and how best CHES can support you.
The survey is now open and can be completed any time before 31st March 2021. The findings of the survey will be presented at the CHES Annual Forum on 18th May 2021.