Students at Grantham College are to remain off college site from today, and continue studies via distance learning as agreed with their tutor/s or assessor/s.
The government made announcements on Wednesday 18th March 2020 requiring that the physical buildings of Grantham College close to all students except those listed below until further notice.
The college is keen to assist in efforts to support the country and key workers at this difficult time and will be working with national and local agencies to determine how we can be of assistance despite the significant challenges we face. The safety and security of our students and staff is our primary concern during these difficult times and we will do what we can to support them and the local community.
From Monday 23rd March 2020 some physical buildings of Grantham College main site will be open to the following students only and only with prior agreement between the college and the relevant parent/guardian and/or social worker:
o Grantham College students with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP).
o Grantham College students with a social worker.
o Grantham College students aged under 18 that have parents/guardians who are key workers.
The Government has not released a full list of key workers for this situation, however in recent days, schools have been asking parents if they work in any of the following categories: National Health Service; Armed forces; Teachers and childcare staff; Care home workers; Social workers; Police officers, community support, civilian staff; Prison officer or other probation staff; Firefighters; Local authority planners; Environmental health officers; Highway Agency traffic officers. Given that the college is required to keep essential services open to support key workers we are hopeful that all college staff will be classed as key workers but we await clarification.
Any parent/guardian/social worker that wishes to use this provision must contact the college at enquiry@grantham.ac.uk in advance giving the student details, and await confirmation from the college that your application has been accepted. This is an essential step for the college to be able to make suitable arrangements.
The college will signpost the relevant parent/guardian and/or social worker to the government’s latest advice on Coronavirus and the decision to send students to Grantham College must be taken by the relevant parent/guardian and/or social worker in the full knowledge that the college, like any other public building, cannot guarantee that the college environment will be free from the virus.
The college may need to withdraw this service at short notice if it decides that the service cannot be provided due to staffing levels. In this instance the college will try to signpost the parent/guardian and/or social worker and the student to local alternative providers.
The Coronavirus COVID-19 situation in the UK and overseas remains a rapidly changing picture. Grantham College is now taking or has already taken the following steps:
1. On Wednesday 18th March 2020, we were fully open for staff and students. Within classes, tutors were asked to use this time to prepare their students for distance learning. Preparation and content took the form of issuing hard-copy packs of learning materials to the students, and/or materials being uploaded to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), as well as the setting up staff/student group teams on Microsoft Teams. CCSS has circulated guidance on how to use Microsoft Teams and are providing training each day this week.
2. On Thursday 19th March and Friday 20th March 2020, we are open for staff only. Thursday and Friday are to be used by staff to prepare further for remote delivery and home working.
3. From Friday 20th March 2020, we encourage staff to work from home if feasible. The college is currently creating a rota identifying which staff need to physically attend the college each day so that we can maintain essential services. We will be encouraging and facilitating social distancing where possible and practicable for all staff whether they are working from home or on college premises.
4. From Monday 23rd March 2020 until further notice the College will be delivering blended learning which could involve use of telephone, email, the VLE and Microsoft Teams as well as hard copy in some circumstances. For support members of staff, work will be allocated via their Line Manager.
5. Staff and students are asked to continue to monitor their College email and the College website for further information. The college will communicate with parents and guardians via electronic means where possible and parents and guardians should monitor the College website daily for further information.
6. The Easter break for students will be from 6thApril 2020 to 17th April 2020 as planned. The government has asked that certain services are made available for students with an EHCP or a Social Worker during this period and the college is currently identifying if this is necessary and possible given reduced staffing and existing staff holiday plans.
7. We await further information on exams and qualifications from the DfE but A Level and GCSE exams have been cancelled. Students should continue their studies and further information will be provided when available from DfE regarding examinations and the awarding of qualifications.
8. Student accommodation will remain open until further notice. We ask all students who have vacated their accommodation to contact the accommodation team should they wish to return.
9. The College will maintain communications with employers and relevant staff will still be responding to queries as normal via email and phone.
10. We will continue to follow DfE guidance with regards to free school meals, bursaries, examinations and qualifications.
11. Our Daybreak facility is closed until further notice due to staffing levels.
The College acknowledge this is a very difficult time for all of our staff and students and we are grateful for your patience and understanding.
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