You will have no doubt seen the news about early years, school and college closures from next Monday 23rd March 2020, other than to particular vulnerable groups and key worker children. 

Educational establishments all over the country are currently working through the implications and awaiting to receive further details from government. We do not currently have guidance on what constitutes a key worker or arrangements for vulnerable groups. Please bear with us, as we will be unable to answer any questions until we have received further details.

As soon as we have these we will send information out to parents, carers and students. For those students who were due to sit exams and take assessments, there will be plans from government in place for you to get your qualifications. We are awaiting further information and will share this as soon as available.  It is still our current intention, as communicated earlier in the week, to move study online from Monday 23rd March - keep learning and stay resilient. 

APPRENTICES

For those apprentices who were due to sit exams and take assessments, there will be plans from government in place for you to gain your Apprenticeship. We are awaiting further information and will share as soon as available.  We are also aware that some apprentices have been made redundant because of the financial insecurity for business - if you are in this position, please make contact with us at  and we will work out how we can support you to continue learning to gain a qualification. Keep learning and stay resilient.

Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms

Stay at home and self-isolate in line with Government Guidelines if you have either:

• A high temperature (over 37.8 degrees)
• A  new, continuous cough

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.

Read the advice about staying at home.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice

Only use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• Your condition gets worse
• Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Students report absence by email to: 

Having assessed the current situation, we have reached the point where it is in the best interests of our community to start transitioning to online learning as a precautionary measure because of COVID-19. We have a significant number of staff and students, who have been advised to follow guidelines on social distancing because of either age and/or pre-existing health conditions. This means they should significantly limit their face-to-face interaction with others. 

Within current Government guidance, the College will remain open, but face-to-face teaching will pause from close of play on Wednesday 18^th March 2020. Thursday 19^th and Friday 20^th March 2020 will be designated as staff development days with the exception of planned exams. Online learning will commence from Monday 23^rd March 2020. We are currently working through the arrangements for individual courses. We have put in place arrangements for those in receipt of Free School Meals to access financial support and have allocated teams to keep in touch with our most vulnerable learners. 

We have spoken with our local MP, Robert Halfon, who is in full support of the measures we are taking to safeguard our community. 

We do not envisage face-to-face teaching restarting before the start of next term at the earliest. We understand that this is a difficult time for students who are preparing for examinations and formal assessments, but the current public health situation is unprecedented. Our sector is working closely with the Department for Education to ensure there is clarity regarding arrangements for the Summer assessment period. 

We will keep you up to date as the situation changes through the News section of our website.