Top risk security and counter terrorism experts will be leading the UK’s first event crisis management courses of their kind at University of Cumbria. Against a backdrop of the country emerging from lockdown and widespread concern over protection, principal lecturer in tourism management, Dr Angela Athonsisz said it was the right time to introduce high-level training in security and resilience.

Future students should look no further as the annual process of Clearing to secure a place at university this autumn begins next week. University of Cumbria has a dedicated team on hand from 9am on Monday (6 July) to help anyone who is interested in starting university this year. A new downloadable guide with everything you need to know about Clearing has also been produced, including details of Clearing Plus – a new system helping to match applicants with universities.

Trainee teachers who are soon to graduate are behind a scheme to support parents and families amid uncertainty about pupils returning to school. More than 30 University of Cumbria final year Early Years, Primary and Secondary teacher training students are running a daily service for any parent or carer seeking help, advice or fresh ideas on how to make learning fun and meaningful for their children. The Homeschooling Support scheme is free and can be found on Facebook.

After it was revealed in a report from National Foundation of Educational Research that a third of children are not engaging with school work set, recent graduates have set up initiatives in Carlisle to help support children and families in their educational but also their emotional needs.

Education leaders are calling on the community to give their views on plans for a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to transform the education landscape in Barrow. University of Cumbria and Furness College are working in partnership to develop the idea for an innovative Barrow Learning Quarter, which includes a Skills Hub, a new university campus and an Institute of Technology and is one of seven projects shortlisted to go forward to bid for a share of £25m of Government funding.

‘Positive podcasts’ is the brainchild of healthcare lecturer, Zoe Butler from the Lancaster campus of the University of Cumbria, who wanted to share with students ways to stay physically and mentally healthy at home during lockdown and also inform them of developments while they are off campus.

Taking positive steps to address these challenges, a steering group is being established to oversee the development of a land-based skills strategy and delivery model for Cumbria. Chaired by Christine Knipe, Chief Executive of Westmorland County Agricultural Society and convened by the University of Cumbria, the steering group will include wide representation from across the land-based, rural and education sectors, the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) and Eden District Council.

The University of Cumbria has begun working on its plans to reopen its campus services, where it is safe to do so, and the reintroduction of some face-to-face teaching from September 2020. Stressing that the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff and students continues to be the main priority, the university said it will continue to follow and be guided by Government and Public Health England advice on how and when a safe return to working on campus is feasible.

University of Cumbria staff have formed a new club that is busy making handmade scrubs and other items for frontline NHS and care sector workers during the coronavirus pandemic. As the country marks Volunteers’ Week, the University of Cumbria Scrubs Club currently has 16 colleagues from across operational areas and its campuses actively volunteering their time, talent and effort for the cause.