East Riding College Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
19th March 2020 11:12am - Return to press releases
Like many other colleges and schools, East Riding College has been monitoring the rapidly evolving situation regarding the Coronavirus pandemic and to date has followed government advice on social distancing and self-isolating to protect the most vulnerable. Some of our students and staff, who have been identified as most at risk, have already being advised to work and study from home. At East Riding College the welfare of our students and staff is always our top priority.
With the announcement that Schools and Colleges are to shut their doors to the majority of students from Friday night, we will use the next few days to prepare for online teaching of our students. We are continuing face-to-face teaching today (Thursday) and preparing to move to online delivery for students from Tuesday next week.
The Principal Mike Welsh had this to say “The College will move towards delivering remote learning across all curriculum areas, for all students at its campuses in Bridlington, Beverley and Hull. Students will be given work to complete independently at home and will be able to contact tutors and support staff throughout the remote working period using the internet. Guidance is being issued to students by staff from their specific curriculum area. This will include information on any assessments students may still need to prepare for.”
“We have taken the decision that our campuses will remain open to staff, for as long as it is safe and prudent to do so, or unless otherwise directed by Public Health England.”
Where a student’s parents, carers or guardians are classed as one of the key workers - as notified by the government yesterday evening - and where learners are vulnerable and not independent, they will be given the option to access the e-Learning Centres to continue studying.
Simon Wright, a local business owner, who is also Chair of Governors at East Riding College continued, “We have been paying very close attention to the evolving situation and have followed the advice given by central government. However, we now find we need to close down direct face-to-face teaching. The College itself will not shut unless circumstances dictate we should and we will be using our well-developed online teaching and internet technology to stay in touch and continue delivery for our students.”
“Coronavirus is about today. Education is about tomorrow. We are committed to the fact that we will continue to deliver Further and Higher Education across the East Riding of Yorkshire for all our customers.”
The next College open event due to be held at the Bridlington campus on Saturday 21 March, 9.30am-12pm will be postponed, and a virtual open event will be held in its place. Applicants will be contacted about alternative arrangements to replace face-to-face interviews over the remote working period, and the College will continue to accept applications online.
