Season's Greetings from our Principal

Dear student,

We’re nearly at the end of 2020 and it will be a year that lives long in the memory.  I’m sure we’ll be talking about it for a while and no doubt younger students will, in future years, be asked about their time living through the coronavirus pandemic.

I know this first term has not always been easy.  Studying remotely can be a challenge as can be doing things differently in and around the College – such as wearing a face covering and keeping your distance.  That said, I've have been hugely impressed with how you have managed. Our attendance is similar to that of previous years and there’s not too much difference between attendance for lessons in the College against those delivered online.  This is testament to how you have approached this term and I couldn’t be more proud of have you have stepped up to do your bit.  This has helped us keep the College a safe space. 

UPDATE 17.12.2020

Late today, the Department for Education has announced its desire for colleges too, where possible, deliver remotely for the first week of term following the Christmas break.

This late announcement could cause further uncertainty and anxieties so to mitigate this and provide our students with clear guidance we will:

• Deliver remotely from 5th – 8th of January UNLESS in one of the categories below
  • Adult courses
  • Apprenticeships
  • Those with an examination in January
• Keep January 4th as a staff CPD day - but each tutor will contact their group that day to inform of any future plans.
• Continue to update the College website of any further changes across the Christmas period.

Please note we will continue to support all of our learners on bursary throughout this period and we will be consulting the staff that support our high needs learners to ensure we make the best decision for a safe and successful return to college.

Please do all you can to remain safe over the holiday and I look forward to seeing you when we return next year

It’s now time for a well-earned rest and all that remains is for me to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a quieter 2021.

Best wishes

Darren