COVID-19 (coronavirus): arrangements for learners
Following Wednesday's announcement by the Department for Education (DfE) on social distancing measures, Bishop Auckland College will move to remote teaching and assessment for the majority of learners from Monday March 23rd.
If students can stay safely at home they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.
However, there are certain categories of learner who can continue to attend college, as instructed by the DfE, if parents wish them to do so:
Vulnerable groups
Vulnerable young people include those who have a social worker and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans. Young people who have a social worker include children in need, young people who have a child protection plan and those who are
looked after by the local authority. If your child fits into one of the above categories or if you are unsure, if possible can you please contact the college today by 4pm to confirm if you wish them to continue to attend college or the college
nursery at enquiries@bacoll.ac.uk or 01388 443000.
Critical workers
Critical workers include NHS staff, police, farmers and food retail workers, who need to be able to go out to work. In order to continue to offer critical services as part of the country’s ongoing response to the virus, children of workers who
form a central part of effort - such as NHS workers, police and delivery drivers - will also be able to continue to attend college or the college nursery. A full list of critical workers and further information is available here.
If your child fits into one of the above categories or if you are unsure, if possible can you please contact the college today by 4pm to confirm if you wish them to continue to attend college at enquiries@bacoll.ac.uk or 01388 443000.
All other students
All other learners not in any of the above categories are not to attend college after today (Friday March 20th). Advice on access to remote resources and student support can be found here.
Self isolation
Any learners who develop symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature and/or new and continuous cough), or come into close contact with someone who has, should self-isolate at home. Further guidance is available here.
College Allowance
All eligible students will continue to be paid their College Allowance on a monthly basis, on the second Friday of each month, while remote learning continues.
Bursary
All eligible students will continue to be paid their College Bursary on a weekly basis, while remote learning continues.
Free School Meals
While eligible learners are remote learning, the free school meals allowance will be paid into your bank accounts on a weekly basis. This will be to the value of £7.80, based on three days at £2.60 per day. Next week (commencing Monday 23rd) the
allowance will clear on Wednesday (March 25th). From Monday March 30th onwards, payments will clear every Monday.
Public transport
There may be disruption to public transport services, including those which serve the college. Please visit the Arriva website for further information at https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/
We remain committed to supporting all of our students and staff during these difficult times.
There are currently NO confirmed cases of staff or students as having tested positive for Coronavirus.
Please monitor the website and our social media channels for regular updates.