College may look at ‘circuit breaker’ to keep students safe
BILBOROUGH PRINCIPAL CONSIDERING ATTENDANCE ROTAS AND PERIOD OF STUDYING FROM HOME
A NOTTINGHAM college is looking at its own ways of preventing virus transmission among students and staff, including a potential “circuit breaker”.
As well as masks now being compulsory in lessons at Bilborough College, there have been discussions on whether changes to the rota could be brought in, or have a week when students work from home.
Principal David Shaw said: “It’s a shame there wasn’t a circuit breaker during the half term break as some talks had indicated, as it would have been a good way not to impact on education.
“At the college, we have been looking ahead at ways we can ensure we stay open within the boundaries of safety but we can do that flexibly.”
All schools, colleges and universities remain open for the current lockdown, which is in place until December 2.
There had been calls from Labour for a sudden lockdown, dubbed a ‘circuit breaker’ during half term to stem infections. But the Government descided against the measure.
Mr Shaw added: “We have looked at putting in our own circuit breaker, for a week halfway through the term when everyone works from home.
“With the age of our students, they are certainly capable of self study, but we know the majority want to be in the building if possible.”
Bilborough College provides sixth form education for around 1,900 students aged 16 to 19, with many travelling from all parts of Nottinghamshire using public transport as well as the college’s own bus service.
Masks have been made compulsory and must be worn during lessons as well as in communal spaces when moving about the college - something students said made them feel safer, according to Mr Shaw.
“We’re big on ventilation, so windows and doors open and people have got used to keeping layers on inside,” he added.
“We are also making arrangements for vulnerable people who may need extra support.
“We continue to take an interest on the outside situation but we are mainly interested in our cases inside the college, so are looking at ways to stay open safely as long as we can.
“One idea we have looked at is a rota model, where we have Year 12 students in one week, then working from home the next, while Year 13s come in.
“The buses and communal spaces would be quieter even though classrooms would still be full.
“But from our surveys, we haven’t found any transmission in the classroom so it seems safe.
“The other idea would be to split the year groups in half, and have each half in for a week which would mean less in each classroom.
“But this could be difficult having to teach half in the classroom and the others remotely.”
Mr Shaw confirmed there had been two cases during the first half of term and both staff and students were working together and taking part in surveys to prepare for what could be done if cases went up.
Mr Shaw added: “I do wish we had better access to testing, something like what the universities have - we just don’t have that sort of funding.
“Instead, we rely on public testing centres, but faster results are needed especially for those close contacts.”
The buses and communal spaces would be quieter even though classrooms would still be full.
Dave Shaw