Almost half of learners under the age of 19 in further education are receiving an online timetable covering the majority of lessons during the coronavirus lockdown, a survey by the Association of Colleges has found.

The survey – shared exclusively with Tes – asked college leaders about the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on teaching and learning. Leaders from around half of English colleges responded. 

The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown led to the closure of colleges for most learners in March, with learning and teaching moving online. The research revealed that one in five learners are currently receiving a full-time timetable online, while just over a third (35 per cent) are receiving a significantly reduced timetable. 

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Despite the time pressures on college teachers to move all learning online, the survey shows that more than 90 per cent have made materials available for students to access through a website or by email, 85 per cent are setting work and giving feedback and 70 per cent are scheduling online lessons.  

Overall, 65 per cent of colleges say that the majority of learners are continuing their learning remotely. 

However, the report warns that “the new arrangements are not sustainable on the current basis for more than a few months. Students, courses and staff will need to return in person in due course”. 

Only 1 in 10 colleges reported a significant variation in the amount of remote education being delivered by subject; half reported some variation; and the remaining 36 per cent reported a small amount or no variation.

The survey found that engagement was reported as more difficult for practical subjects such as catering, sciences and trades (practical elements). This was also the case for creative subjects such as performing arts.

Colleges also reported significant levels of disengagement among students in their final year of A-level courses and GCSE English and maths resit courses. 

Supporting with transition

Colleges are also supporting learners to transition from school to college, college to employment and college to higher education.

Leaders and staff are reaching out to secondary students who are due to start college in September with just over half offering online content delivery and virtual campus tours, and just under half offering “meet your tutor” virtual sessions. 

Almost 80 per cent of colleges are supporting students due to start higher education in September by answering progress questions and continuing to deliver their current courses online. 

And when it comes to supporting current students into employment, almost 80 per cent are delivering online courses and offering online information, advice and guidance; 70 per cent are offering online and phone tutorials; and more than 60 per cent are offering online CV building. 

Kirsti Lord, deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “It is clear that colleges are working extremely hard to enable high-quality distance learning. The rapid move to online provision has resulted in good engagement from students with most colleges covering learning, teaching and assessment in a completely fresh new way. The challenge now will be to ensure that as we begin to recover from this crisis, the sector has the support to effectively provide the tools and resource for those who are at risk of dropping out of education or have specific high needs.

“Colleges support learners at all levels, at all ages to take their next step in life. Support for transitioning, whether it be to work, to university or into the college from a school is a huge priority.

“Since the beginning, we have been clear that no student should be left behind due to Covid-19 and its impact on educational facilities. The AoC will continue to plan for the reopening of colleges, whenever that may happen and working with officials to ensure that nobody is disadvantaged and able to reintegrate as seamlessly as possible when appropriate and safe.”

Gillian Keegan, apprenticeships and skills minister, said: “It is great to hear that 95 per cent of colleges are reporting that the majority of their young people are continuing with their learning remotely during this unprecedented time. I want to thank colleges, teachers, support staff- in particular IT support staff, across the country for their hard work in making sure as much learning as possible can move online and for their continuing support for students.”