As you will be aware, the government has published the ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown. Most importantly the roadmap lays out a route to seeing our family and friends, and allowing us to get back out into the real world enjoying face-to-face activities. This includes face-to-face learning within our centres that will resume from 8th March.
As we prioritise the safety of our staff and learners, we are planning a phased return to all centres from the suggested date of 8th March. In order to maintain the right balance of on-site and remote delivery, our plan will include a phased return to prioritise vulnerable learners and key areas that need additional support. In line with the Department for Education’s guidance, reduced class sizes, social distancing, and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) will become mandatory for staff, learners, and visitors for the foreseeable future. Please be assured that our current online/remote learning courses will go ahead as planned unless otherwise advised.
The changes to our services will be as follows:
- There will be a planned phased return to classrooms from 8th March for courses that were planned to run in Centres.
- Provision
that has been planned for this term will go ahead as remote/online learning
unless otherwise advised.
- Early Years settings (nurseries and preschools) are
currently open.
- Examinations – Currently we are reviewing DfE and the awarding bodies’ guidance and information. We will share further guidance for the Summer and January exams when it is provided.
- Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (staff and learners) have been advised to not attend our centres and limit the amount of time they spend outside the home until 31st March 2021. Those deemed clinically extremely vulnerable should have received a letter from NHS or local GP. For updated guidance, please see gov.uk.
Please ensure that you read the Safety Guidance before visiting our centres.
We expect there to be several updates to guidance over the coming days and weeks which will help us form our decision making. Please look out for updates over the coming weeks that will detail which courses are available in centres. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us.