Dear Parents and Governors,
In view of the fast-moving situation regarding the impact of the COVID-19 virus, and the Government’s announcements about the measures to be taken in the UK to prevent its spread, the college will be closing at the end of the school day tomorrow, Friday 20th March, for all pupils that do not fall into the category for ‘key worker’ or ‘vulnerable’ families. Your sons and daughters will be available for collection at the end of the school day. Please kindly ensure they take all belongings home with them at this stage.
Distance learning
We will aim to use the tools and systems with which our pupils and staff are already familiar to deliver distance learning.
Some of the key points of our plan are detailed below:
Staff and pupils will follow their usual timetable of lessons from Monday to Friday. Pupils, particularly those preparing for public exams, will have a considerable amount of independent work to complete.
23rd March – 2nd April:
We will deliver lessons through ‘Show My Homework’ and Microsoft 365 on a daily basis. Teachers will be able to display teaching resources such as PowerPoints, worksheets and past papers. While there will be some variety in the nature of lessons, a typical lesson will involve:
- An introduction
- A series of tasks for pupils to complete
- Pupils can pose questions via Show my Homework
- A plenary
Pupils will submit their work on either Microsoft OneDrive or Show My Homework platforms, for the appropriate member of staff to mark through.
Please contact Mrs Samra Deputy Head (Academic,) as soon as possible, if your child cannot access either distance learning platform for any reason – email: rs@tettcoll.co.uk.
From 21st April:
All remote learning will take place on Microsoft Teams to enable pupils to follow a more structured school day and have interaction with teaching staff. Pupils will have been given training on this platform, prior to the school closure. In addition, we will be sending information to parents in order for everyone to familiarise themselves with this application.
Our IT support will be available for any related assistance Monday – Friday from 8am – 8pm.
Please email: helpdesk@tettcoll.co.uk
The staff have now finished teaching the GCSE and A level specifications and this time is crucial for pupils to prepare for the public examinations in the summer. Teachers will be routinely touching base with pupils via email, to make sure they are completing the work that is being set.
We would be very grateful if you would support us in delivering effective distance learning. Your child will need access to their laptop, textbooks and other resources, and a quiet workspace conducive to studying.
Public Examinations to date, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has cancelled the public examinations in the interim period. However, the situation and decisions change on a day to day basis. It is our duty, as educators, to make sure we keep pupils, on track, to meet their academic goals, in order to proceed to their next academic stage.
We are monitoring the situation closely and will keep parents and pupils up-to-date with important developments. The examination groups will be following a structured timetable, preparing them for all eventualities relating to their GCSEs or A Levels.
We have excellent teachers who will do everything in their power to support those they teach. We are also fortunate to have hardworking, determined and ambitious pupils who I know will rise to the challenge of distance learning if needed.
Pastoral Care
Pastorally, the House Tutors will be touching base with all of their tutees, on a weekly basis. If there are any additional needs, please do contact Mr Jeff Shipway email: jms@tettcoll.co.uk and he will be happy to support.
We are in difficult and uncertain times but look to support our pupils academically and pastorally, to ensure we are delivering our high level of education and care that is expected from all of us at the college.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Christopher McAllister
Headmaster
Categories: Whole School
