University of Northampton will stay open during second coronavirus lockdown amid national concerns

The University of Northampton will remain open during the second coronavirus lockdown amid national concerns about on-campus teaching and students going home.

Unions have called on universities to move to online learning where possible and criticised the government for not forcing them to do so.

The universities minister asked further education leaders to ensure some form of face-to-face learning over the next four weeks and urged students to stay in their term-time accommodation.

A University of Northampton spokesperson said: “The government has instructed schools, colleges and universities to remain open throughout the next four weeks to support students’ wellbeing and education.

"The University of Northampton will therefore remain open for teaching and learning during the lockdown.

"We have already developed extensive measures to help support our students and help them continue with their university lives.

"This includes learning support, a blended mix of teaching, online social activities and counselling and mental health.

“We also have comprehensive and robust procedures in place to keep our community safe during the pandemic which are kept under review as government advice is updated.”