Ely College back to business, safeguarding and educating our young people, as they welcome students back to the ‘new normal’.

This week saw a phased return of Ely College pupils to the school site with lots of smiling faces. The developing Coronavirus situation has presented a number of challenges but after a full term of high quality remote learning and months of preparing, it was a joy for staff to welcome students back and celebrate the start of term.

New Principal Simon Warburton addressed students and parents on Friday (4th Sept) with a review of how the first few days had gone: “As the first couple of days draw to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to say how great it has been to see college, once again, full with students and staff. Our data indicates that student attendance today was in excess of 98% which is a fantastic figure to realise on the first full day of term. Thank you for your support and patience with our plans. After many months of absence seeing children back in classrooms and engaging with teachers and their friends is heart-warming!”

The leadership at Ely College and Bishop Laney Sixth Form had been in constant communication with parents in the lead up to reopening, reassuring all on the protective measures in place to reduce the risk of transmission. As well as increased hygiene and sanitation stations, children remained in their consistent year groups or ‘bubbles’, and measures including staggered break times kept groups apart.

“Clearly the new arrangements for staff and students have presented a challenge unlike anything we have experienced before – but that fact that over 98% of our students have been able to come into college today shows the confidence that parents have in our commitment to support their children.  We are thrilled to have the students back”.

Some great photos of the first few days back AND a short video on our COVID Secure College, from the Student Council....