Thursday, 18th March marked the end of the mass testing of Worcester Sixth Form College students on their return to College. Like all secondary schools and colleges across the county, students were expected to be tested three times onsite before the transition to home testing. Over a nine day period, the College conducted almost 4,000 tests with 99% of our students taking part.
Ed Senior, Principal, said: “I am proud of the maturity and responsible attitude shown by our students and grateful for the hard work and dedication of the testing team who worked tirelessly to complete such a huge task and at the same time keep students safe. In addition to the testing team, other members of support staff were crucial in ensuring that our testing arrangements worked smoothly including setting up the facility, collecting, directing and registering students and recording their results. Thank you to all of these colleagues – it really was a great team effort.”
The triumph of the testing programme follows a period of successful remote learning since January with students and their parents being overwhelmingly positive when surveyed about the support received and communications with them.
- 97% of parents strongly agreed and agreed that the College made effective arrangements for remote learning. One parent said it was “impressive the speed at which the College responded to the lockdown and the clear instructions that came swiftly to the students and parents regarding the online learning. My daughter knew exactly what she was doing from day 1 and structure meant she could transition to on-line with minimal disruption.” Another commented that: “Staff were professional, and made the conversion to on-line lessons so well. The lessons were friendly and inclusive. Good encouragement and feedback was given.”
- 99% of parents strongly agreed and agreed felt that the College kept them well informed with one commenting: “The clear and sensible communications only emphasise the college’s commitment to students, supporting them and treating them like young adults.”
- 98% of our parents strongly agreed and agreed that the College is doing everything it can to make the return of all students to College as safe as possible in terms of safety measures and testing. One parent said: “Thank you to all the staff for going above and beyond for our students’ safety.
Ed Senior, Principal, said: “I am grateful to parents for their positive feedback which really helps to boost the morale of our staff who have worked tremendously hard to support our students. I am also grateful for the constructive comments regarding areas where we can further improve.” He adds: “I am sure that students, teachers and parents (who have had to support learning from home) would all agree that there is no substitute for face to face teaching. However, the skills and resilience that this group of students have had to develop will ensure that they emerge stronger from it. I am delighted to have all our students back at College and in the classroom learning.”