Covid-19 outbreak at college sees students take two-week circuit break
Worcester Sixth Form College implemented a two-week circuit break after Covid-19 cases were confirmed at the site.
The measure was introduced immediately but it was hoped students would be able to return to the college following the half-term break.
Teaching was delivered remotely, based on teaching staff’s experience during the national lockdown period imposed in March.
Staff received additional training and an investment was made into equipment and resources to ensure that teachers were well prepared to support students.
Ed Senior, the college’s Principal, said: “The local Health Protection Team have been positive about our safety measures and our response when I have contacted them in relation to the handful of confirmed Covid cases affecting our students.
“Nevertheless, the circuit break provides opportunities to review risk assessments and protocols and consider additional measures as appropriate so that college continues to be a safe environment for all members of the college community.”
He added: Whilst it is disappointing that there will be a week of remote learning and I am keen to return to as full an education as possible, I am reassured that we have had time at the start of term to build relationships with all our students and instil good study habits to ensure that we continue to fully support them.”
Any scheduled external examinations would proceed as planned and students who received free school meals would continue to be supported.
Students in two year groups at Nunnery Wood High School were asked to self isolate after cases of Covid-19 were confirmed.
In the first instance a group of Year 9 students were asked to go into isolation for 14 days, following which Year 11 pupils were urged to take similar action.
The school remained open for other pupils in the run-up to the half-term break.
Parents of children at Worcestershire schools, including Red Hill CofE Primary school in Battenhall, were asked to wear face coverings on school sites.
Meanwhile information signs were wrapped around lampposts near schools to encourage parents and carers to keep safe distances from others at school drop-off and pick-up times.
Worcestershire Children First introduced the initiative, which reinforced the message that parents dropping off and collecting their children from school should maintain two metres distance.