Tag Archives: students

MPs call for support for students affected by coronavirus outbreak

Over 100 MPs have signed a letter to Universities Minister Michelle Donelan calling for support for students affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The MPs have called for a flexible approach to assessment, refund of rents on unoccupied accommodation and a temporary suspension of rules preventing students claiming universal credit. Speaking to Sheffield Live! Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, said thousands of students have lost their casual jobs due to the coronavirus. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Union demands better conditions for student workers

Unite the Union is calling on Sheffield University’s Students Union management to end zero hours contracts and to offer its student workers the real living wage. Unite Union says hundreds of students are employed by the University’s student union on a casual bases earning less than £118 a week meaning they do not qualify for statutory sick pay. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Harriet Eisner, regional organiser for Unite.

Students welcome change to graduate visas

Sheffield students have welcomed changes to visa regulations that would allow international students to stay in the UK for two years after graduation instead of the current four months. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Andrew Adegbola, education officer at Sheffield Hallam University Students’ Union.

Longley College students celebrate A-level results

Dozens of students at Sheffield’s Longley College were in a celebratory mood this week after receiving their A-level results. The pass rate for the college rose from 96% to 98%. Meanwhile, the proportion of students in England achieving top grades has fallen to its lowest level for more than ten years with only 25.2% gaining A grade or higher. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield students join climate demo

Hundreds of school students took part in a climate change protest today in Sheffield, one of many in cities across the UK. The school strike for climate is an international movement of school students engaged in demonstrations and strikes calling for action on global warming and climate change. Activists say strikes will continue until the government hear and address their concerns. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to organiser and youth activist Patrick Wakefield.

Students warned to beware of tax scams

University students in Sheffield are being warned to be vigilant as a wave of tax scams are circulating using fake university email addresses. HM Revenue & Customs has received thousands of fraud reports from students across the UK with emails telling students that they are owed money and encouraging them to send their personal details. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Sherriff Muhammed, education officer at Sheffield Hallam University Students’ Union.

Sheffield students occupy Arts Tower in support of striking lecturers

A group of students have occupied the Arts Tower at the University of Sheffield in support of lecturers on strike over pensions. The University and College Union (UCU) is in dispute with Universities UK, the employer organisation for universities nationwide, over changes to staff pensions arrangements. The students say university management are complicit in “attacks” on pensions as “part of a wider agenda of marketisation” of the education system. A University of Sheffield spokesperson told Sheffield Live: “The University is aware of the situation and will be providing information as appropriate to staff and students”. Baillor Jalloh reports.

University staff strike over pensions row

University staff on strike together with students and other supporters held a rally outside the University of Sheffield on Western bank in a protest over changes to staff pensions which would see many worse off after retirement. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Craig Brandist, president of Sheffield University branch of the University and Colleges Union.