Staff Newsletter - January 2026

e NEWSLETTER

Principal’s Update

Hello and welcome to the first Newsletter of 2026.

The big news of the moment is obviously the Scottish Government’s draft budget publication on 13th January. You will no doubt have seen the headline statement of a 10% increase in funding for colleges. While this is of course a welcome turnaround from the 20% funding reductions the sector has seen over the past five years,

we do not yet know how this will be distributed across the regions and to individual colleges. As part of my role with College Principals Group, I will be working closely with the SFC to understand their thinking and to ensure sector views are represented. At a local level, I expect that the increase will, at the very least, give us a more stable platform to build our own case for the increased resource required in the Scottish Borders (read more here).

At this time, I am also able to confirm that ownership of our Hawick campus passed to South of Scotland Enterprise (SoSE) on 7th January. We look forward to working with SoSE as they develop the

Borderlands Deep Tech Accelerator Hub in the building.

Lastly, can I remind everyone that my regular mid-year update will be on 17th February. As well as sharing any new information I have on the budget developments, I and Executive Team colleagues will provide updates on our performance for the year so far and the preparations for Heriot-Watt’s departure from our main building and shared services in the autumn. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the 17th.

Pete Smith Principal & CEO

Borders College Open Day 2026: your future starts at your college

Borders College is getting ready to throw open its doors for one of the most exciting days of the year, the 2026 Open Day, taking place across the Galashiels and Newtown St Boswells campuses!

Thinking about full-time study, an apprenticeship, or a community course? This

is your moment to dive in and see what your future could look like. Meet the passionate staff who’ll guide your learning, chat with students who’ve been where you are now, and explore the innovative spaces where ideas and careers take shape.

Read the full story here.

News from the People Services Department

Upcoming Pay Dates

Welcome to

Morag McRostie –Classroom Assistant

Agnieszka Jezewska –Supply Cleaner

James Young – Supply Cleaner

GPTW Survey Launch

I am delighted to be able to share with you that the 2026 Great Places to Work Survey will be launched at 9am on Monday 9th February 2026.

You will receive an email containing a link from hello@invite.emprising.com

Your feedback is really important to us and I hope that, in your teams, you have been

Occupational Health

Occupational Health are retained by the College to offer you support. You can selfrefer by giving them a call – their number is 01896 825982. This service is totally

Lynn Spence – Tutor/ Assessor – Social Services and Healthcare

Janine Hogg – Supply Cleaner

involved in conversations about actions and improvements that can be made to make this an even better place to work.

Please take a few minutes of your valuable time to complete the survey and use your voice to tell us what we can do better.

Any questions please get in touch dkerr@ borderscollege.ac.uk or pop by and see me.

confidential and no information is shared with the College unless you ask them to.

Debbie Kerr – Director of People Services

e NEWSLETTER STAFF

Items for inclusion in the eNewsletter should be submitted to your Senior Leadership Team staff member two weeks prior to the end of the month.

Student Support Services – Round Up

UCAS

Over the last few weeks, our SSO for HE, Louise, has been busy supporting students with their UCAS applications. We successfully submitted over 50 applications for students hoping to progress to university in August. I want to thank all staff who supported Louise by completing references for students. And a big thank you to Louise for ensuring every application was completed and submitted to UCAS on time. I know we had a few students who pushed things right to the deadline, but your commitment and support have been vital in helping them achieve their aspirations to apply to university.

Wellbeing – LUNCH Lounge

Thanks to funding received from The Sprot Trust, we’ve been able to enhance the wellbeing support offered to students at Newtown by running a weekly lunch club every Thursday. Our SSO and Student Wellbeing Coordinator provide a welcoming space where students can relax, enjoy games and crafts, and have access to a hot meal kindly provided by Milestone. The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. They’ve told us they appreciate:

• Having a safe and supportive space

• They like the consistency of weekly sessions

• Access to hot food — with some students relying on the club for this

• Staff who are approachable and willing to listen

• The fun activities, including games and crafts

• And one student summed it up perfectly: “Amazing food and vibes.”

Student Support –Student Advice Centre

I also wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for your support over the past few months. It’s been a really challenging time for the team with higher than usual staff absence, and your patience and understanding have made such a difference.

The good news is that we’ve recently welcomed two new team members who are now supporting us on a supply basis as SSOs across both Galashiels and Newtown, which is already helping to ease the pressure.

Just a wee reminder—if you ever have any concerns about a student, you can pop a referral through the portal:

Self-Referral Process – Self-Service Portal

The Student Support referral service is accessible via both the Self-Service Portal and the Student Portal. If a student presents with a need for support from any of the Student Support teams, please encourage them to complete a referral through

either portal.

Staff who have concerns about a student can also speak directly with their Student Support Officer (SSO) or contact the team via email at studentadvice@ borderscollege.ac.uk.

Hardship

As we’re all aware, many students continue to face challenges due to the rising cost of living.

We’d like to remind staff that if you’re concerned about a student, please encourage them to come and speak with the Student Services team. We have a range of support available, including:

• Supermarket vouchers for those in crisis

• Refreshment vouchers for use in the Union

• Hardship grants

• Access to the Campus Pantry through the Students’ Association

• The Discretionary Fund, which is open to all students

Our team is always happy to have a chat and explore how we can help.

Learning Support

The Learning Support Team have been supporting a considerable number of students with assessments. It has taken a lot of coordination and planning to be able to manage the need. A big thank you to the team and other staff involved for their flexibility and collaboration.

Quiet Introduction events build confidence and reduce anxiety for new College students

Borders College’s Quiet Introduction and Supported Enrolment programme continues to play a vital role in supporting students who may find the transition into college challenging, according to feedback from the 2025 programme. The report highlights the positive impact of a calm, structured, and supportive approach to enrolment, particularly for younger learners and those requiring additional reassurance.

A total of 74 students attended the events, with 52 completing entry and exit surveys. The majority of attendees were aged 16–19, representing a significant increase compared to the previous year. Students came from across all

curriculum areas, with strong representation from Creative, Enterprise, Technology and Essential Skills, Health and Social Care, and Land-Based and Rural Skills. Nearly a

third of attendees disclosed a disability or learning need, reinforcing the importance of tailored transition support.

ESOL at Borders College – helping learners build skills, confidence and futures

Students across the Scottish Borders are thriving thanks to Borders College’s English for Speakers of Other Languages

(ESOL) programme, a course that many describe as life-changing, confidenceboosting and essential to

building a future in the UK. Learners from all backgrounds and language levels have joined ESOL, from beginners to those studying at SCQF Level 5, and many say the course has opened doors they never thought possible. For these students, improving their English isn’t just about learning vocabulary, it’s about gaining independence, feeling part of their community and taking steps towards new careers, education and friendships.

Student Partnership Agreement

Our Student President and Principal after signing this year’s Student Partnership Agreement

Business and Project Support Team Page

From 23rd January the Business and Project Support Team have a page on the staff portal with information on key areas we support including how to access support, information required and timescales. This page will be built up over time but at present you can find information related to internal invigilation, invoicing and reception. If you have

any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly. The team can be found in the Staff Base or Reception at the Galashiels Campus. Members of the team are also available on the Newtown Campus and in the TTC on Tuesdays. Fiona Currie: fcurrie@ borderscollege.ac.uk

Fiona Currie

Strong foundations: What the Big Student Survey reveals about student induction

The Big Student Survey provides a comprehensive insight into students’ induction experiences at the start of the 2025/26 academic year. With feedback from 126 students across all delivery areas, the report offers a clear picture of what is working well and where further focus could enhance the student experience. Overall, the findings point to a strong, supportive induction process that helps students feel informed, welcomed, and confident as they begin their studies.

Students reported high levels of clarity around course expectations, access

to learning resources, and the availability of support. Positive relationships with teaching staff and a strong sense of community were recurring themes throughout the survey. Importantly, the inclusion of safety, wellbeing, and equality-related questions provides valuable baseline data to inform future improvements.

The survey results show that students are beginning their courses with a strong sense of clarity and confidence. The vast majority of respondents understood what their course involved and what would be expected of them, indicating that induction is

effectively setting academic expectations from the outset. Clear communication around timetables, learning materials, and assessment requirements appears to be helping students feel organised and prepared during the critical early weeks of study.

Access to resources and digital systems also emerged as a key strength. Most students reported feeling confident navigating the campus, using college IT systems, and accessing online learning platforms. This suggests that induction activities focused on practical orientation and digital readiness are playing an important role in reducing anxiety and supporting independent learning, particularly for students new to further education environments.

Relationships with staff were highlighted as one of the most positive aspects of the induction experience. Students consistently described staff as welcoming, supportive, and approachable, and nearly all respondents felt they had enough time with teaching staff to support their learning. This early relationship-building appears to be central to students’ confidence and sense of belonging, reinforcing the value of staff visibility and availability during induction.

Read more here.

Eilidh Forrest, Students’ Association Support Officer

Explore Apprenticeship opportunities at the Apprenticeship Showcase

Apprenticeship opportunities at the Apprenticeship Showcase

Explore Apprenticeship opportunities at the Apprenticeship Showcase

SAT 28th FEBRUARY 2026

SAT 28th FEBRUARY 2026 TAIT HALL, KELSO DROP IN ANY TIME BETWEEN 10am - 1pm

SAT 28th FEBRUARY 2026

TAIT HALL, KELSO

DROP IN ANY TIME

DROP IN ANY TIME BETWEEN 10am - 1pm

IN ANY TIME BETWEEN 10am - 1pm

10am - 1pm

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT STEP?

This event is your chance to ﬁnd out more about how you can EARN AND LEARN , including :

Meeting employers, universities and colleges offering real opportunities in both modern and graduate apprenticeships across a wide range of industries.

Hearing from businesses and partners about:

• What are the different types of apprenticeships?

• The beneﬁts of studying towards your degree whilst being employed

• How to apply for apprenticeships and what support is available for apprentices

Whether you’re a young person exploring options, a parent looking for advice, or simply curious about apprenticeships, you’re invited.

Whether you’re a young person exploring options, a parent looking for advice, or simply curious about apprenticeships, you’re invited. MARK YOUR CALENDAR – DON’T MISS OUT!

www.dywborders.co.uk dyw@dywborders.co.uk

103 Ettrick Riverside, Dunsdale Road

www.dywborders.co.uk dyw@dywborders.co.uk 103 Ettrick Riverside, Dunsdale Road Selkirk TD7 5EB | 01750 505058

www.dywborders.co.uk dyw@dywborders.co.uk

Selkirk TD7 5EB | 01750 505058

103 Ettrick Riverside, Dunsdale Road Selkirk TD7 5EB | 01750 505058

TD7 5EB | 01750 505058

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