Updated 19 March at 11:51am
City of Bristol College has announced that from Monday 23 March 2020, it will close its centres at College Green, Ashley Down, Parkway and Hengrove until further notice. This follows the announcement made by the Prime Minister on Wednesday 18 March, ordering schools and colleges to close in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus, COVID-19.
The college is introducing the following measures:
- The college (all centres) will remain open between 8am – 5pm (students) / 5.30pm (staff) on Thursday 19 March and Friday 20 March. During these two days, daytime teaching will continue as normal; evening teaching will only be delivered through on-line leaning channels, as announced on Tuesday this week.
- The college (all centres) will be fully closed to students on Monday 23 March (daytime and evening) and there will be no teaching taking place on this day.
- The college (all centres) will be open to staff only on Monday 23 March between 8am and 4pm to facilitate the final preparations for a period of closure.
- Teaching (daytime and evening) will resume where possible again on Tuesday 24 March via on-line learning channels. The college centres will be shut to student and staff until further notice.
- The college is currently considering the best way to remain open for its most vulnerable students (those with an EHCP) and for those whose parents are key workers (e.g. NHS, emergency services, delivery drivers) in line with government guidelines. More information about his will be issued in the next two days.
- The government has announced that exams will not be taking place in May and June, but students will still get their qualifications. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.
Andy Forbes, Principal and Chief Executive at City of Bristol College said: “Based on the latest Government advice and to protect the welfare and wellbeing of our students and staff, we have taken a decision to close our college centres to the majority of our students. That said, we recognise the importance of ongoing learning, especially at this time of the year when students are nearing the end of their studies. My colleagues have been working tirelessly over the last few weeks to help us prepare for such college closure.
“I am pleased that from Tuesday 24 March we will be able to deliver as much teaching as possible in a virtual format. We also hope to offer provision in one of our centres for vulnerable students and those whose parents are key workers.”
We are looking at ways to ensure that students in receipt of financial support, such as free college meals will continue to receive these payments wherever possible.
Recognising that a period of social distancing or self-isolation can have an impact on mental health and wellbeing, the college is providing information about external services which are available to give online support.
Ongoing general updates and developments in relation to coronavirus will be published on the college’s news section and social media channels:
Facebook: facebook/cobcollege
Twitter: @CoBCollege
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/city-of-bristol-college
