UCU says all colleges must copy Preston's College two week 'circuit breaker'

Preston's College emailed staff today (October 16) to say only essential work will continue on campus for two weeks from October 19 to November 1.

All learning will be moved online for the week before half term (commencing 19 October 19), and any staff not on leave over half term (commencing October 26) will work remotely.

The college says it will use the two weeks to test plans for a long term switch to remote learning.

UCU said the government was not providing colleges enough support to combat Covid so they were being left to deal with the virus on their own.

It added that given the difficult circumstances, the 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.

Andrew Harden, UCU Head of Further Education, 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's 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."

The National Education Union is also calling for an urgent circuit breaker to suppress Covid cases, stating all schools and colleges should be closed for two weeks at half term for secondary and post-16 students.

Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The latest infection survey report from the ONS (October 16) shows infection rates rising sharply amongst secondary age pupils - much more sharply than in any section of the population apart from university students.

"This should be no surprise to either the Prime Minister or the Department for Education - scientists have consistently told them that secondary students transmit the virus as much as adults, and we have warned them that because we have amongst the biggest class sizes in Europe we have overcrowded classrooms and corridors without effective social distancing.

"The Government must not just turn a blind eye and pretend all is going to be OK. They must not pretend that the only change needed is a delay of three weeks to next year’s exams. Urgent action is needed now."

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