Preparing to reopen to more learners in the next few months is “no simple ask” for colleges, sector representatives have said. College leaders have also questioned the government’s focus on students due to sit “key exams” over those on technical courses.

Yesterday, the government published guidance stating that from 1 June at the earliest, it would ask “secondary schools, sixth form and further education colleges to offer some face-to-face support to supplement the remote education of Year 10 and Year 12 students who are due to take key exams next year, alongside the full-time provision they are offering to priority groups”.

News: Colleges asked to prepare to reopen for some from June

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‘No firm date’

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said with the average college educating several thousand 16- to 18-year-olds, of whom perhaps 1,000 might be classified as Year 12, “this is no simple ask”. However, he said that “it’s important to emphasise that there’s no firm June date yet for wider school opening”.

“We’re working with the Department for Education and our college reopening groups on a range of detailed issues that range from making buildings safe, supporting staff and sorting out transport to helping this year’s cohort of students complete their courses.

“Yesterday’s guidance from DfE is the first step and we will support colleges to use their professional judgements to develop plans which reflect their circumstances. We’re engaging our members now and hoping to put out some draft principles which will support in their planning early next week.”

University and College Union head of further education Andrew Harden said staff and students “should not be going back to work until it is safe to do so”.

“We will need to see plans for stringent hygiene measures including regular deep cleaning. There also must be proper risk assessments and supplies of PPE guaranteed where they are identified as required. Plans for social distancing must include things like travelling to and from college and safe social mixing.

“To help deal with those challenges, staff and students who can continue to work from home should do so. It is absolutely vital that the government works with unions and that local colleges engage with their union reps as soon as possible to address the different challenges they will face.”

College leaders have also raised concerns over the plans for students facing what the government in its guidance called “key exams”. One principal told Tes that “the overwhelming narrative regarding exams during Covid-19 has focused on GCSE and A levels”. 

“It’s only recently Ofqual has clarified the approach for grading vocational qualifications and those that are categorised as ‘delay’ aren’t mentioned in any government narrative. In the guidance that came out yesterday, there is a focus on Year 10 and Year 12 who will do [GCSE and A-level] exams next year - what about those who need to complete the practical elements of their qualifications this year, who need these qualifications to either progress or move into the world of work? Nothing!”

He added: “There is a similar point about those following BTECs which have an external exam element to them. The overriding attention is on GCSEs and A levels - and there is nothing wrong with these, but what about the young people, and adults, following non-academic courses?”

Clare Howard, chief executive of specialist college umbrella body Natspec, said the majority of Natspec members had kept sites open throughout the lockdown, and the number of students on site had increased steadily since March as many families were finding it difficult to sustain keeping their young people at home for extended periods due to their specific and complex needs.

“We are pleased that the guidance confirms that specialist settings should continue the risk-assessed approach for young people with [education, health and care] plans. Colleges are working to bring more learners back on site where it is safe to do so. We also know that many of the practices set out in the protective measures guidance are already in operation at many Natspec member colleges. Access to PPE has been a challenge, and although colleges largely have what they need right now, there are concerns about their continuing ability to get hold of what they need as numbers on site increase.

“We have been working with DfE as part of a working group representing specialist provision, and advising them of the need for guidance on PPE based on job roles and functions rather than settings. Our recent survey highlights many of the plans that Natspec colleges have for wider opening. We will be supporting them to organise their provision so that they can expand face to face learning safely.”

Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association, said: “The government is right to identify Year 12 students as a priority group, but the safety of students and staff will be the main factor in determining if face-to-face contact is feasible by 1 June. College leaders will be monitoring the situation closely over the next few weeks to see if the excellent online package they are providing students can be supplemented by time in the classroom.”