CORONAVIRUS: LATEST GUIDANCE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Published: 11 January 2020
ACADEMIC PROVISION When does face-to-face learning temporarily finish? In response to the UK Government’s advice to close UK schools to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), CATS Canterbury, CATS Cambridge and CATS London will move tuition online to avoid any unnecessary disruption to students’ studies. From 5 January, we started remote tuition in preparation for full online learning provision, which we anticipate will begin on 18 January. When are the CATS UK schools reopening? At this time, it is anticipated that all UK schools will remain closed until at least mid-February, with this in mind we have taken the difficult decision to move learning online for our CATS UK schools for the duration of the spring term, resuming face-to-face teaching in the summer term. How will my studies be affected? Our aim is to ensure every student continues to achieve excellent learning outcomes and feels supported during this time. Teachers will be in direct contact with all students to confirm short-term online study arrangements, much of which we had planned already for this period. Where appropriate, we will adjust teaching patterns to make allowances for time zone differences and/or record all classes making them available online. Although we are experienced at delivering online and blended learning programmes, please be patient with us as we transition online at such short notice, as we may need to adapt our provision to best suit our students. Will there be online lessons? Yes. We have an Online Learning Guide detailing our provision, here: http://www.catseducation.com/ugc-1/1/5/0/online_learning_guide.pdf What will happen with Assessment and Exams? On 6th January, the UK Education Minister announced that teachers would assess grades for A level and GCSE students in the UK this summer. The Department for Education and exam regulator Ofqual are considering a range of options, and they will share more detail in due course. The Chief Regulator of Ofqual has said that students must continue to engage as fully as they can in their education as this will put them in the best position for their qualifications. He went on to say, ‘We need to
consider a wide range of qualifications – from A levels and GCSEs to many different vocational and technical qualifications – and the solution won’t be the same for all. Following the government’s announcement on Monday evening, we also need to consider how alternative arrangements will work for different students. We are discussing alternative arrangements with the Department for Education. We know that many are seeking clarity as soon as possible. We will provide further updates as soon as we can.’ Last year, CATS teachers submitted assessed grades for students resulting in excellent examination results and destinations. CATS graduating students progressed to outstanding university destinations including the University of Oxford, London School of Economics, Imperial College London, UCL, the University of St Andrews and Durham University. Students also progressed to competitive courses such as Medicine, Law and Architecture. These results and progressions are a testament to our students’ remarkable resilience and the support they received from their teachers. This year will be no exception; our staff will continue to help our students achieve excellent learning outcomes. We will provide further updates as soon as we have them from the Department for Education. For the second year, our University Foundation Programme (UFP) will be fully assessed online. Launched in March 2020, the online testing for CATS UFP students was developed with the support of our external examiners and was readily accepted by all UK universities. We are still waiting for guidance on the assessment for the International Baccalaureate and BTEC Diplomas. What about my attendance record? Good attendance is an integral part of academic success and progression. We acknowledge that this is a challenging time and therefore we are committed to doing all we possibly can to support our students. We will continue to monitor student attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic through a revised process. Our engagement policy has been sent to all students, their parents and our agent partners. Students will need to complete their face-to-face online lessons to be awarded attendance. Will the school delay the start of the summer term if the situation worsens? We will continue to take advice from the health and education authorities and will act in the best interests of students, staff, families and communities of our schools. As the situation develops, so will our response to it. Will the spring term contribute to students' final grades? At this time, we would expect all students to be back face-to-face for the summer term, but they need to be aware that their work during the spring term will likely still influence their final grade, especially if schools are required to submit supporting evidence. Students must continue to engage fully with their studies this term. To not do will certainly have a negative effect on their final grades.
Will the schools return to Face-to-Face teaching if approved by the government at half term? Our assessment of the UK government messaging is that the earliest which schools would be able to begin face-to-face teaching again would be mid-March, not mid-February. Given the length of time remaining in the Spring Term it is sensible to be clear for everyone’s planning purposes that the entire term will be online. Clearly if schools open for face-to-face teaching considerably earlier than anticipated we will re-assess. Can CATS UK schools offer online learning for the Summer term? At this time, we are not committing to what will be offered during the Summer Term.
ACCOMMODATION Can I remain in boarding accommodation until the Easter Break, if I can't return home safely? We know that for some students it has not been possible to return home. Students who are already living with us are encouraged to continue their school experience in our safe accommodation. We are committed to helping every student achieve their learning goals and supporting them academically and pastorally. Despite the uncertainty, our students have shown such remarkable resilience and dedication to their studies. If I remain in boarding accommodation, will I be catered for? We will continue to provide full catering to those students on a catered package. Can I stay in the UK away from school? Yes, students are able to stay in the UK with a guardian. Those students in independent accommodation in the UK are welcome to move to our residences. They should contact their school if they wish to do so. What will happen to my belongings left in my room? Your belongings will be untouched. If we need to clear your room, we will take photos of the items left and store securely onsite until either your return to college for the summer term or onwards delivery to an alternative location. Can students who are staying in our dorms form small bubbles? Once our school community has undergone testing, we will be reverting to the school household bubbles which will vary in size depending on their residence. They will be able to socialise with their household and within the campus under social distancing and the wearing of PPE outside their rooms at all times. Can students be allowed to go off campus for essential groceries and exercise? Students will be allowed out for exercise and essential shopping items in line with Government guidance and permission for any time off campus.
TRAVEL What if I’ve already departed for the UK? International students who have already departed for the UK for the start of the term can study online with us on campus in our accommodation. What will happen for students on exeat? Students on exeat for the Christmas period in the UK are welcome to return to our residences. What about student visas? UKVI have confirmed that there will be no impact on visas as long as students continue to engage with their studies. This means that students need to participate fully in the teaching and assessments provided in order for us to continue our visa sponsorship during this period. Who do I contact if my child needs help with travel arrangements? Please contact our Student Administrative Services team: CATS Cambridge: studentcommunications@catscambridge.com CATS London: studentservices@catslondon.com CATS Canterbury: studentcommunications@catscanterbury.com
WELFARE What happens if I get sick in your care? We have discussed the possible symptoms with all students and staff. Members of the boarding team are on duty 24 hours a day and ready to offer advice and instruction if anyone develops symptoms. Our medical teams are also on-site offering medical advice and assistance should students feel unwell. Anyone with symptoms should be isolating for 10 days. Anyone displaying symptoms will be tested through the NHS testing programme. We also have Lateral Flow tests which have been used for all students currently in residence and will be used going forward for those who have been in direct contact with anyone who tests positive. Staff onsite are being tested weekly. What care/provision is in place over the Easter break if my child cannot return home due to a travel ban? We will continue to run one of our boarding houses and ensure that students continue to receive the high quality provision that we run all during the year.
FEES Will I get a refund for the spring term? As a result of moving to online delivery, any accommodation fees charged to your account for the remainder of the spring term will be credited. For students that remain in our accommodation, fees will apply. Why do I have to pay full tuition fees for online delivery? Our teachers are continuing to teach the curriculum, planned content and support students towards their end of year assessments, just in a different way and as such our costs remain the same for providing that teaching. Our approach currently is a mixture of group teaching, personal or small group tutorials and independent learning. These mirror what happens naturally in lessons on a daily basis. For instance, a lecturer walking around the studio will discover a student struggling and offer help. Help is being given by email, by a call from the teacher, or by the teacher arranging an ad-hoc small group session for a group with similar problems. Our teachers will continue to feedback via the academic reports and will be required to provide detailed evidence to support any remote assessments for their final grading.