Dear Parents and Carers

I hope you remain well and are in good spirits. I’m sure you’ve heard that the government has now issued more guidance about children and young adults returning to school or college. Many of you will have questions about what this means for your child. Firstly, we want to reassure you that the key priority for us is to ensure the safety of your child. The college leadership team is currently undertaking a detailed risk assessment and putting in place a range of protective measures before we will open our doors to students. We are planning for changes that are as supportive as possible for young adults and families, whilst being manageable for our college.

The government has set an ambition for more students to begin to return to school from the 1st June and they have been clear about the priority order of students. However, as an Independent Specialist College we can make our own decisions, and as I have said previously, we will be considering how we move forward very carefully. We will not be able to increase student numbers at The Hive College on June 1st. However, we will be putting all of our efforts in making this happen as soon as we can, but only when we are confident the plans we have made allow us to do this as safely as is possible. When we do start to stagger the increase of student numbers in college we will be monitoring the situation very carefully and will only make further increases when we feel confident this is possible.

Some changes to normal will be necessary. We will be considering different times for the start and end of day for groups to manage social distancing. We are planning to teach in “family groups” that will remain separate at all times in college. As you will know, social distancing will be impossible for many of our students, so staff will have PPE (personal protective equipment) when necessary.

The government has been clear that students who are shielded due to their medical vulnerability or who are at significant clinical risk or who live in a household with someone who is shielded or otherwise clinically at risk should remain at home. We are all responding to new guidance as we get it, but this is often changed at short notice.

We have begun to contact families to discuss their views and concerns about a return to college. We will be starting with very small numbers of students. Clearly, we all share the view that we want our students to be back in college, but this has to be when we and you as parents are reassured that this will be safe. This is why the government is encouraging parents to support the phased return to schools and colleges, but they have confirmed that attendance is not compulsory at this time. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns then please let us know, either contact me directly k.everton@wsucbpt.co.uk, or talk to the member of staff who is keeping regular contact with you. We will keep you informed of any news or developments as soon as they happen and will give you information well in advance of any changes.

Take care and keep safe,

Kim Everton

College Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you and your families are well. We are expecting information about colleges reopening very soon. Can I assure you that we will be looking at these guidelines carefully before we decide what to do at The Hive College.

As a special college we have different challenges to mainstream colleges, and we will need to consider how we will respond to any information. The Hive will not be reopening before we have been able to consider and plan for what is best and safest for our students and staff.

We will be talking to all our parents about reopening and will be listening carefully to your worries and concerns. We will take your views into account when making decisions and will make sure we continue to consult with you as this situation develops.

I hope you enjoy your Bank Holiday and VE Celebrations.

Kind regards, keep safe

Kim Everton

College Principal

We know have our Family Support Hub page live on the website that provides information all in one place that families might find useful, it can found on the top menu called “Help and contact information for families.”

Apologies for the lack of updates, but we have all been flat out working on arrangements to provide the most effective support we can over the last two days.

We have set up Outreach Teams who will be making regular contact with all our families for safe and well checks and to offer any help and advice we can. If you do need help or advice, please contact us by email and we will do everything that we can to support you.

Finally, can I urge you in the strongest terms to follow the instructions we have all been given regarding social isolation and staying at home. Our main aim now must be to help everyone, students, staff and families to stay safe and well.

Take care and stay safe.

For guidance please go to https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Kim Everton

College Principal

There have so far been no cases of coronavirus infection of any staff or students in the college.  

Many parents and carers of our college students have already taken the decision to self-isolate their child due to concerns about the possibility of infection.

We have 9 members of staff in college who are absent due to advice about self-isolation or childcare related problems.

Most of our students have health and medical issues and are at the highest risk according to the Department of Health.  Their safety and health is our priority, we have followed government guidelines and have assessed each student, with the support of the colleges medical staff and have taken the decision to close the college to all students from 3.15pm today.

Learning packs have been collated by the teachers and will be sent home today.  College Key Workers will carry out regular safe and well checks on all students by telephone on a regular basis, whilst the college is closed to students.

All staff who are able to will remain in college, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or need any advice:

business@wsucbpt.co.uk

k.everton@wsucbpt.co.uk

n.cutler@wsucbpt.co.uk        

Please check our website for any further updates www.wsucbpt.co.uk. Please take care and stay safe during this difficult time.

There have so far been no cases of coronavirus infection of any staff or students in the college. The Government announced last night it will be giving advice to vulnerable people in the next few days. This advice will probably have significant impact on any decision regarding the temporary closure of schools and colleges.

With increasing numbers of students being absent and many of our staff being absent due to childcare issues or precautionary advice, we are taking measures to try to continue as normal as much as possible. Increasing absence rates could be another reason we have to consider the closure of our college. In these circumstances, it may be a decision we are forced to make at short notice. I would advise you to consider what you will do in these circumstances.

We are continuing with our hand-washing, cleaning and all the measures as specified by the health authorities. We have been informed by nurses that students with a dry cough and/or temperature in college must go home and will need to be collected by parents.

We are looking at ways we will be able to keep in touch with students who are off college and will be aiming to keep in touch with students and families on a regular basis. We have also started preparing work to be completed at home, if all of this becomes necessary.

I understand this is a very difficult and worrying time for everyone. If you wish to discuss anything regarding the current situation, please contact the college on 0121 306 4800.

Yours faithfully

Kim Everton – College Principal