CV&CC Update 2nd June 2020. A few developments

CoronaVirus & College Closure Update                              

 Update 2^nd June 2020

SITUATION UPDATE 

• The Government’s 3-week review confirmed that the Government’s Five Tests for wider opening of schools have been met, and the (limited) reopening of schools is proceeding. 

• Revised guidance has been issued to schools: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020 

• ECP numbers are increasing, and we are currently operating three groups of students (Bubbles) in isolation from each other 

• Revised risk assessments, for ECP and any further limited reopening for students, have been written and are available on the College website 

• Parents and carers of Year 10 students are being surveyed to identify whether they wish to keep their child at home this term, or return to College on a limited basis 

• Similar information will be sought from Year 12 parents this week 

• Members of staff are being surveyed to identify their precise availability 

• A letter will be sent to Year 9 parents this week to explain the move of students from Year 9 non-core subjects to their choice of Option subjects next year (ie Year 10). 

1. SUMMARY OF CURRENT POSITION 

• Until 15^th June at least, there is no change to the existing position.
• Our priority remains ECP for the children of critical workers and vulnerable children. Numbers have risen and are consistently around or above twenty students.
• We are “refreshing” remote learning after half-term
• From 8^th June, Year 9 students will be taught in their Year 10 options classes 

2. College Closure: Main Points

• Clyst Vale site is closed, except our Emergency Childcare Provision (ECP) for children of key workers and vulnerable children (and deliveries, essential contractors, etc) ·
• If you have any concerns about a student at Clyst Vale, please contact the school and ask to speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mr Sutton, Mrs Albutt, Miss McConnachie or Mr A Pearce). If this is not possible please contact MASH, The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub: 0345 155 1071.

3. Emergency Childcare Provision 

• We are fully committed to maintaining our offer to look after the children of key workers (secondary age group) and vulnerable students
• ECP will run daily Monday to Friday 08.30 – 17.00. Please contact us if you wish to discuss varying these hours (within reason) for individual children.

(If no children attend, the College will close at 12.00.)

• ECP has moved to a booking system. Places for the next day can be booked until 9.00 p.m. the night before (including Sunday, for Monday). Or phone the number which has been provided to ECP parents.
• School Transport is suspended. If you are a key worker and would like school transport, please contact on the day before you require transport.

4. Remote Learning 

• Teachers are working from home to set work on the day your child would have their lesson. The activities set should take 2-3 hours in Year 7 rising to 3-4 in Year 10.
• Work will be assigned on Microsoft Teams and notified on students’ College e-mail accounts.

5. Free School Meals 

• We joined the Edenred/Government scheme from 6^th
• If you have any queries about Free School Meals, please contact Racheal Long on .

6. Public Examinations

• We have at last received guidance on vocational qualifications, in our case BTec and CNAA. Essentially, it is exactly the same as GCSE and A-Level. My colleagues make a judgement on all work submitted and all other information as to a likely level and degree (ie Level 1 or 2, Pass, Merit, Distinction)
• Next week (w/b 8th June) we will start uploading the grades to Exam Boards and Awarding bodies.
• Exam Results Days have been confirmed as Thursday 13^th August for A-Level and AS (and presumably vocational Level 3 courses); Thursday 20^th August for GCSE (and vocational Level 1 & 2 courses).
• We cannot discuss predicted grades with students, parents or carers at any stage. This is prohibited in the guidance.

7. Trips and Visits (Updated 26^th May)

• My colleagues in Finance have worked hard and persistently to secure refunds from some reluctant companies, and have made good progress. Parents WILL be refunded in full for all payments made. Clearly, this is your money !

LINKS AND FURTHER INFORMATION

This is the Government’s guidance to parents:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers

The following link is the government’s advice to schools:

Guidance to Educational Settings About Covid-19

The next link is Devon County Council’s dedicated website for parents for Coronavirus advice

https://www.devon.gov.uk/document/schools-and-families/

Department for Education Coronavirus helpline:

Phone: 0800 046 8687  Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

Email:

There are hundreds of support agencies’ links I could list for mental health and on-line issues. Here are just four, but all are tried and tested.

• kooth.com has a load of information and on-line counselling; mainly mental health
• childline.org.uk 0800 1111 has been around for ages, but is still one of the best helplines
• thinkuknow.org.uk focusses on on-line issues including bullying, or messages that make you uncomfortable
• Young Devon (Google it) is web-based, and points you to a wide range of possible services

Should you have any specific queries regarding Covid-19 and Clyst Vale, please e-mail Mrs Ann Hopkins (College Manager) on .

Kevin Bawn, Principal