Message from Katherine Burns, ACL Principal
Although a long time seems to have elapsed since Christmas and New Year, I hope you managed to find some time for rest and recuperation. The last few weeks have probably been challenging for every one of us and it is important that we continue to support each other and to look after ourselves. We have included a section in the newsletter about where to find support for our health and wellbeing.
As you know, with the exception of courses for our most vulnerable learners and our Early Years teams, our centres are currently closed for learning. Any provision that wasn’t already being delivered digitally has now moved to online or remote learning. The people of Essex are continuing to enrol on our courses and are still interested in learning. ACL is well-placed to support the economic recovery – with people gaining new skills and qualifications and to support them with their health and well-being through learning.
Although our enrolments are down from this time last year, we are currently in the throes of planning a new curriculum for next academic year when hopefully people will feel more confident to return to learning in our centres. We have gained a lot of insight during the last few months and we recognise that many of our learners prefer to learn online/digitally so we will be further developing this offer as part of the curriculum design plans.
I would like to wish you all the best for 2021 and to thank you for your continued support of each other and for our learners.
Wellbeing
These have been the most challenging times that many of us have ever faced, not only in terms of our work but also our lives. The ACL Mental Health Recovery courses have been tailored to reflect the specific challenges of living and working through a pandemic. They are open to anyone who feels they would benefit and there is no fee to ensure that finance doesn’t create a barrier. There are a broad range of subjects offered as short introductions as two live sessions so that time commitment from participants is reduced too. Subjects cover Managing Anxiety; Managing Sleep for Wellbeing; Stress Awareness, Working from Home and Wellbeing, Self-Care For Carers. There is no need to complete a staff development form and enrolment can be via the website or through our student services team. The programme is online using Big Blue Button on the VLE.
This is in addition to the wealth of support available to all staff from ECC including Employee Assistance Helpline and the My Wellbeing Portal.
If struggling with finances is worrying you, visit the ECC Salary Finance Portal for money tips, resources and loans
https://ecc.salaryfinance.com/finwellbeinghub
Caring for others
Helping others is known to make you feel good. Could you become a befriender to someone this new year?
Loneliness and social isolation have always been worrying but with the current COVID-19 guidelines there are thousands of people in Essex who receive little to no physical interactions with other people every single day.
https://onenews.essex.gov.uk/new-befriending-service/
Watch this short animation to find out more.
Ofsted Update
In December, ACL received an interim visit from Ofsted. Please take time to read the report which was published on the 14th January, view the full report; it is only 750 words long so not a long read. It reflects the hard work, and effort that has been put in by everybody in ACL to ensure our learners continue to receive the support they need to continue with their learning and achieve their goals.
Well done everyone!
Inspectors spoke with learners, external stakeholders, tutors, leaders and managers to gather the information about what actions we have taken and would be taking to ensure we provide an appropriate curriculum for our learners. Inspectors also explored how we are ensuring that
Curriculum Matters
Firstly, thank you to all the curriculum teams for being prepared for the anticipated change in guidance to providers at the start of this term. This enabled a smooth transition for class-based learners to remote or digital learning models as they returned for the spring term. Well done to all concerned.
This week Ofsted published useful guidance on ‘What’s working well in remote education’ that is based on the research undertaken while visiting schools and colleges in the autumn term. I strongly recommend following the link below and read this guidance. This will in most cases give you the confidence you have the right approach, or the confidence to tweak your current approach. Don’t forget to utilise the services of Jo Loss and Karen Gowlett as we are all learning together on how to get the best outcomes for our learners utilising alternative delivery strategies.
What’s working well in remote education – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For those with learners that can or wish to progress onto another course within ACL, such as Access to HE or GCSE please encourage early applications and highlight our wonderful curriculum offer.
Learn Through Lockdown
We have just launched our Learn Through Lockdown campaign. It aims to raise awareness of online learning courses and opportunities available. If you could share on with your friends, family and learners, we’d really appreciate it.
https://aclessex.com/learn-through-lockdown/
VLE – a reminder
All staff log into the VLE using the staff log in button. The other is just for learners
Tearoom dates
Welcome to ACL’s Staff Tea Room!
A Team in ACL Teams for staff to come and meet, share ideas and best practice, ask questions and join drop ins. You can also just catch up and chat about anything!
TeaRoom upcoming dates:
- Monday 18th 6pm
- Friday 29th 2pm
Any questions about it, please contact Jo Loss or Karen Gowlett.
Online learning feedback – “you all have been outstanding”
Juliet Gill & team have received some lovely feedback from a learner who attended a Mental Health course (Managing Sleep for Wellbeing) recognising the efforts of ACL during these difficult times:
“It’s easy to see that everyone involved to make these courses happen, that means whether you are the technician who designed the course and then placed online, the tutors who are taking the course, people booking the course and even you reading this message, you all have been outstanding and working hard.”
Festival of Learning nominations 2021 – deadline 9th February
Nominations are now also open for the 2021 Awards, please do take the time to nominate the most inspiring and well-deserving learners/staff.
The awards celebrate the many benefits learning can have for everyone, and recognises individuals, tutors, employers and learning provision who have used learning to change their lives and the lives of others.
Nominate now – https://www.festivaloflearning.org.uk/2021-nominations/
Health and Safety
Most of us are now working from home as there is very little now happening in the centres. Should you need to visit a centre, please remember to do the following:
- Contact the Centre Lead or email ACLBusinessOperationsTeam@essex.gov.uk to arrange a date and time to visit the centre. DO NOT, turn up to a centre unannounced.
- If you think you may have any of the recognised Coronavirus symptoms, DO NOT COME TO A CENTRE. Please follow the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
- Ensure you have completed a centre induction to fully understand the Covid-19 safety measures in place. The Centre Lead will be able to arrange a time for you to complete this.
- Remember Hands Face and Space at all times when in the centre.
- Please follow the one way route and use the sanitising stations as and when needed.
- Please remind yourself of the guidance around wearing and removing face coverings.
Nominations are now also open for the 2021 Awards, please do take the time to nominate the most inspiring and well-deserving learners/staff.
The awards celebrate the many benefits learning can have for everyone, and recognises individuals, tutors, employers and learning provision who have used learning to change their lives and the lives of others.
Nominate now – https://www.festivaloflearning.org.uk/2021-nominations/
How to wear a face covering
A face covering should:
- cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
- fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
- be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
- be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton
- ideally include at least 2 layers of fabric (the World Health Organization recommends 3, depending on the fabric used)
- unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged
When wearing a face covering you should:
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on
- avoid wearing on your neck or forehead
- avoid touching the part of the face covering in contact with your mouth and nose, as it could be contaminated with the virus
- change the face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it
- avoid taking it off and putting it back on a lot in quick succession (for example, when leaving and entering shops on a high street)
When removing a face covering:
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before removing
- only handle the straps, ties or clips
- do not give it to someone else to use
- if single-use, dispose of it carefully in a residual waste bin and do not recycle
- if reusable, wash it in line with manufacturer’s instructions at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser once removed
Warm regards,
Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
Katherine Burns, ACL Principal
Christian Norman, VP Curriculum & Learning
Teresa Ablewhite, VP Quality & Compliance
Claire Maynard, Business Operations Manager
Amanda Rawlings, Commercial Manager
If you have any feedback or queries relating to this email, please contact acl.internalcomms@essex.gov.uk