Schools and colleges in Basingstoke have moved to full-time online learning as a result of the measures in the new national lockdown to keep people at home, to protect the NHS and save lives. Schools and colleges will continue to be open to support vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers
Early years settings, including nurseries and childminders, will remain open to all, throughout the six-week lockdown because of their role, providing vital child care for parents and crucial early years education to the under 5s which can only be delivered face to face with this age group.
Maria Miller local MP said, “Providing the best education is one of the most important things any government does for each and every child. The best education is delivered in school, with face to face teaching, so it has been a difficult decision for the Government to take to require schools and colleges to move to online learning only, with the exception of children of critical workers and those who are vulnerable. Keeping schools and colleges open has been an absolute priority but with infection rates reaching such high levels limiting the number of children and young people attending schools and colleges is essential to reduce rates of infection. I would like to thank teaching staff and head teachers for the incredible work that has been done to ensure they are prepared to switch to full-time online learning, so children can continue to learn during this new national lockdown.
“For the 2020 to 2021 academic year, DfE is providing more than 1 million laptops and tablets to schools to help children and families in need to access remote education the Department is also working in partnership with mobile network operators to help schools support disadvantaged pupils in years 3 to 11 who rely on a mobile internet connection when their face-to-face education is disrupted by coronavirus (COVID-19).Parents will have already been contacted by their school about access to the right technology at home, including access to data as well as laptops and tablets.
“The Government has confirmed today that exams for GCSEs, A Levels and AS Levels won’t go ahead this year. Exam Boards and teaching organisations have agreed that teacher assessed grades will be used in their place.
“It has also been confirmed that on top of existing funding, additional money is available to schools to enable them to continue to provide Free School Meals to those eligible throughout the lockdown.”
“As soon as the virus allows it will be a priority to reopen schools and colleges to provide face to face learning. And I am pressing the Government to prioritise the vaccination of teachers to help ease the staffing pressures on schools in the coming months.”