Message to Year 11 and Year 13 students

25th March 2020

Dear Year 11 and Year 13 Students,

I hope you are all well and managing to do some work at home. Don’t forget that you can access plenty of resources from the Show My Homework app which your teachers are updating on a regular basis. Also, form tutors will attempt to make verbal contact with you via telephone each week.

In light of the recent announcements around exams and school closures, we understand that this is a worrying time for you. We wanted to assure you that we are in contact with the Department for Education, awarding bodies, universities and UCAS to provide clarity. As soon as there’s any further information, we will let you know.

The latest information released by the UK government on arrangements for exams which have been cancelled to stop the spread of Coronavirus is available here.Government Advice

In the meantime, please follow the advice below carefully:

• Do not contact individual teachers directly about your predicted grades. We do not yet have clear details about how grades will be allocated, so staff are unable to confirm your grade at this point.
• If you are a job seeker or looking for an apprenticeship without a firm offer at this stage, please continue to apply for advertised posts. You can email Simon for help at any time.

In addition, for Year 13:

• Use the wide range of on-line resources to make your final university decisions. For example, most universities will have virtual open days, offer holder days and webinars. Don’t forget to refer to league tables and the Discover Uni website for information about assessment methods, student ratings and graduate prospects. Some universities have started to convert conditional offers to unconditional but have now been discouraged from doing this. Please think carefully before accepting any offers.
• Please start your applications for Student Finance

Form tutors will attempt to make verbal contact with you via telephone each week. Tom is available through e-mail should you wish to discuss anything related to university and Simon can be contacted to discuss apprenticeships or anything concerning destinations.

Kind regards

Av Gill, Principal

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Coronavirus Update

18th March 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

Following on from my last update, I am writing to let you know that we have now been instructed to close the school to almost all children from Monday until further notice.

As advised by the government, we will do all we can to stay open for the children of key workers (e.g. NHS staff, police, others in frontline services) and vulnerable children.

We are waiting for the government to publish more information but it would help us in the meantime if you could let us know if you think your child may fall into one of these categories. Please contact Mrs Murray with the following information: emma.murray@wmcutc.co.uk, e.g. child’s name and tutor group.

All other children will need to stay at home, so we ask that you do not send your child into school from Monday until further notice. Please note that this is a national closure and we are not alone. We will contact each of you by e-mail to provide more information around the support we can provide towards your child’s learning.

We have been instructed that Year 11 and Year 13 will not be sitting exams. We are awaiting for more information as to ascertain how their grades will be awarded. In the meantime it is important that your child continues with their learning. During school closure, work for your child will be posted daily on Show My Homework (SMHW). Information on how to access SMHW can found here if required. Show My Homework

A member of UTC staff will make phone contact with you every week whilst the school is closed. This is to offer support and guidance. It is important to encourage your child to maintain good structures and routines around sleeping, eating and their attitude to schoolwork, approaching it as they would a normal school week. If you have any welfare concerns please contact our Welfare Lead: claire.gleeson@wmcutc.co.uk.

To family and children please keep safe in this difficult time. Thank-you for your support in this matter.

Av Gill, Principal

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Coronavirus Update

17th March 2020

I write with an update on the UTCs current actions and future contingency planning due to the developing COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation.

May I begin by thanking parents for their calm approach and understanding in the face of a significant amount of media reporting. I can confirm that the UTC is continuing to follow the latest guidance given to all schools in relation to the virus and our Senior Leadership Team meet regularly to assess ongoing developments. Whilst the UTC continues to have no cases of the virus amongst our students or staff, we are aware that the latest advice suggests self-isolation of 7 days if symptoms are exhibited. Those symptoms include a high temperature of 37.8 C or above, a dry cough or sore throat.

It is imperative that students are set and able to complete work whilst out of school and this may be for reasons unrelated to the virus. Staff will be setting work for students through the Show My Homework portal. It is imperative that this, as well as UTC e-mails, are checked on a regular basis by parents and students throughout the period of absence. I would suggest each morning and again through the day. Staff will also indicate a deadline for completion of this work and this will often be at the end of the day on which it was set as this mechanism is partly there to replace normal lessons. Students can upload completed work to the portal.

If you have any queries relating to this matter please contact Sarah at reception or e-mail subject teachers directly if it relates to the curriculum.

Av Gill, Principal

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