Dear members of the UTC Portsmouth community,
I felt it important to write to you as we enter the Easter break. I would like to start by conveying how impressed I have been by the response of our students during this “virtual learning” period.
The need for students to take a “break” is more crucial than ever. With all the hard work that they have been submitting from home, it is important that they can draw a line and use the two weeks of Easter to relax and step away from work for a while. Because of this, as a college we will be treating the break as exactly that; students will not be required to complete the daily register and they will not be set timetabled work. We will however be providing a contact link for students should they feel the need to reach out to us during the break.
Schools and colleges do not yet have a complete picture as to how grades and results will be calculated. However, today (03/04/20) initial guidance has been published by Ofqual. Please be assured that, as a college, we are well prepared for this and the teaching team are busy preparing the necessary evidence required. Whilst the publication does raise a number of questions that we are awaiting answers for, I include a link for you so that you can read at your leisure.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/how-gcses-as-a-levels-will-be-awarded-in-summer-2020
A number of parents have written to me asking about provision for students post-Easter. For Years 10 and 12, as they are currently in the middle of their courses, it is more important than ever that students continue to complete the work set so that they are ready to continue their studies in college when we reopen.
For Years 11 and 13, until we get further clarification from Ofqual, it is still important for them to be completing their work. For this reason, lessons will be set as normal over the entirety of next half term. I will be in communication with you to detail what this will look like in the second half of the summer term (after the June half term break), though it is likely that students will finish ‘early’ just the same as if they had still been sitting exams.
During the college closure, we have been able to utilise our facilities to help with the COVID-19 outbreak. Our 3D printers have been running around the clock to produce components for visors, and I would like to thank both the University of Portsmouth for helping to lead with the design process and our employer partners; many of whom have worked with us to produce protective equipment. For me, this reinforces the link that UTC Portsmouth has with our employer partners that makes the college so special.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff body of the college. Their tireless dedication towards the education of our students, even under these challenging circumstances must be applauded. Like the students, staff will be taking a well-earned break during Easter, but will be ready to return to the rejuvenated for the next term. Your feedback during this period has been especially motivating to the team, and I felt it appropriate to share a few of the comments with you:
“Thank you for your support and commitment to our children”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at UTC Portsmouth. The college & its staff have brought my son a whole new lease of life and helped him in so many ways. His education has gone from strength to strength and all involved with his education have to take a huge part of the credit for that.
It is fantastic that you are so well prepared for the children to continue studies at home.”
“Your continued updates have been very useful and appreciated in these crazy times. Please pass on my heartfelt gratitude especially to my son's teachers. Their support, teaching techniques and standards have been incredible”
“My son has just received an email regarding information about his place at your college and the access to virtual packages for the courses he would like to undertake in the next academic year.
I would like to offer my thanks for reassuring my son about his offer at the college and providing work he can undertake to prepare for his A Levels. It has been a challenging time for all and for students who were due to take their exams.
As a fellow teacher, who works in a secondary school, and is currently supporting my own students and my own children, I wanted to thank you for supporting future students too. I know you will have your own students to support currently (and probably your own families too) and therefore the guidance and support for his next steps is very welcome.”
As always, I am keen to hear your viewpoints and listen to any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to contact the college at enquiries@utcportsmouth.org
Warmest regards,
James Doherty