Warwickshire colleges in group suspend majority of face-to-face learning due to national lockdown

Full-time and part-time further education learning will now be online, and learning for apprenticeship and higher education programmes will be delivered remotely, with the exception of some exempted degree programmes.

Colleges will remain open for vulnerable students and children of key workers - with strict Covid-19 safe measures put in place to protect staff and students.

Public exams and vocational assessments scheduled to take place in January will go ahead as planned. This is in line with current advice from Government and the awarding organisations, but WCG is monitoring this closely in case this position changes.

WCG is made up of seven colleges including Royal Leamington Spa College, Rugby College, Warwick Trident College, Moreton Morrell College, Evesham College, Pershore College and Malvern Hills College.

A spokesperson for WCG said: “WCG can confirm that we have suspended face-to-face learning across all of our colleges following the latest government guidance relating to coronavirus.

“Further education students, including part-time courses, will receive online learning on their return from Monday, January 11.

“Our apprentices will also begin online learning from January 11 and we will be working with employers on how this will be implemented.

“Higher education programmes will continue to be delivered online, however students on courses which are considered by government to require face-to-face learning will return.

“We are asking any residential students to not return to college unless they are studying on a higher education course with face-to-face learning permitted by government.

“WCG is reviewing its Digital Poverty Plan to ensure all students have the means to access online learning.

“For any students and staff required to come into college, we will be continuing our enforcement of Covid-19 safe measures, which include wearing a face covering, social distancing, ventilation, hand washing and cleaning.

“We would like to thank all of our staff, students and parents for their understanding in this difficult time. The health of our students and staff is our top priority and we will maintain regular communication with all those affected during the closure.”

For more information visit www.wcg.ac.uk