All colleges should close down for a two-week "circuit breaker" over half term, the University and College Union has said. 

The UCU said Preston College had emailed staff to say that only essential work would continue on campus for two weeks from 19 October to 1 November, and that the two weeks would be used to test plans for a long-term switch to remote learning.

The union added the government was not providing colleges the support to combat Covid-19, so they were being left to deal with the virus on their own. It said that given the difficult circumstances, Preston College had shown real leadership in using a "circuit breaker" to protect the health of staff and students, and that other colleges must follow its example as infection rates continue to rise.

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UCU head of further education Andrew Harden said: "It is scandalous that Covid cases continue to rise across the country, but the government still hasn’t told colleges to shut down for two weeks over half term as part of a national ‘circuit breaker’.

"Preston College has shown real leadership in halting in-person teaching for two weeks to protect staff and students, while it considers how best to teach safely under Covid. We call on all colleges to follow its example."