The guidance confirmed that FE settings will ‘remain open to on site delivery for the duration of the national restrictions’.
For 16-19 programmes, providers should ‘continue to seek to deliver the majority of education on site unless they have written public health advice to move some groups to remote teaching’ and if this is the case, the ESFA should be informed.
For adult education, the DfE is asking that providers consider moving to online teaching where possible – whilst still achieving educational objectives. If you are considering online solutions, check out ukcoaching.org for a wealth of learning resources that may be helpful.
The guidance also states that apprenticeships and other training in the workplace will ‘continue where those sectors remain open’ but the DfE expects to see particular impacts in hospitality and retail.
In terms of sport and physical education, this can continue ‘as part of education and training’.
Outdoor sports should, however, be ‘prioritised where possible and large indoor spaces used where it is not, maximising distancing between consistent student groups and paying scrupulous attention to cleaning and hygiene and using maximum fresh air ventilation through either opening doors and windows or ventilation systems’.
Competition should not take place – this is in line with the wider restrictions on grassroots sports.
The full guidance on FE can be accessed here: DfE Statement.
Additional information on schools and universities and wider restrictions can be accessed from the Wider Education Guidance.
UK Coaching and its awarding body 1st4sport support the continuance of education and have informed our centres of the adaptations that need to be made as per the DfE guidelines.
We have worked alongside our regulators, took on board feedback from governing bodies of sport and centres in deciding our adaptive approach, and we will continue to review this to ensure it remains fit for purpose and maximises teaching, learning and assessment across all of our qualifications.
If you need any further support, please drop the team a line at [email protected].