Coronavirus response update 29th April 2020

Just a few updates today:

The closing date for the consultation on the awarding of grades for A level, GCSE and EPQ qualifications is at 11.45pm today. The consultation can be reached at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/exceptional-arrangements-for-exam-grading-and-assessment-in-2020. Please send any comments to Ofqual using the electronic form.

Also, the closing date for the consultation on vocational, technical and other qualifications (including functional skills and core maths) is Friday 8th May 2020. The consultation document can be reached at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/exceptional-arrangements-for-assessment-and-grading-in-2020. I would encourage you to read the document and send any responses direct to Ofqual using the electronic form.

The Student Loans Company has confirmed that the application service will remain open to students as part of its response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and are encouraging students in England to apply for student finance as soon as possible to ensure their finances are in place for the new academic year. New students are being asked to submit their applications before 22nd May 2020. The Student Loans Company is contacting returning students to remind them to reapply for their next year’s student finance. The deadline for these applications is 19 June 2020. Applications for student finance can be made here: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance. This will be in the student and parent email today.

Public Health England has released NHS-endorsed top tips for looking after mental well-being during COVID-19. Their Every Mind Matters service has launched a new suite of tips and advice, focussed on looking after people’s mental wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The range of new Every Mind Matters resources can be found here https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters. There are also support materials and resources on Canvas and on the college’s website.

Finally, thank you for your support in keeping your sons and daughters engaged in their learning. Today, we have had 882 direct access requests to our servers which is excellent.

That’s all for today.

Take care, look after yourself, your families and each other; be patient and stay positive.

Anton