News & Events

Dear Parents/Carers,​

The Prime Minister announced on Sunday that schools would begin to open from June 1st. On Monday, the DfE provided the following guidance;​

​‘From 1 June 2020, we expect that secondary schools and colleges will be able to offer some face to face contact with year 10 and year 12 pupils. This will not be a return to full timetables or pupils back in school or college full time, rather some support to supplement pupils’ remote education.’​

We are receiving updates from the DfE on a daily basis, and there is, in our opinion, a chance that things may change further as the DfE consults with Trade Unions, the Local Authorities and other organisations connected with the education sector.  If this is the case and timelines were to change then we would obviously keep you informed, but at the time of writing we are giving due consideration to the logistical requirements needed to be able to widen our provision from the 1st June, 2020.  

​As always, our priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families. Therefore, we are working hard to formulate plans to ensure that the government’s guidelines can be implemented, without causing undue concern to our communities. Therefore, if you have a child in year 10 and or 12 you will be receiving a separate email containing a link to a survey that we ask you to complete as thoroughly as possible at this time. 

Following the results of this survey we will then be in a position to plan effectively what any potential provision may look like for those year groups which we will communicate with you fully. 

However, the provision will not be full time education. We will only be providing some face to face tuition. Strict social distancing rules will be applied to everyone attending the school site. Students will not be allowed to interact with others outside of their classroom. This could be with as little as 4 others, remaining in the same classroom for all lessons. Social times will be staggered and although food will be available, there will be no socializing in the refectory or public spaces. We will also inform you of the additional procedures we will be putting in place to minimise any potential risk to students, staff and families. 

Along with the face to face contact  for year 10 and year 12 students, we will continue to provide supervision for children of critical workers and those considered vulnerable, as well as providing home learning to all students. We will also continue to provide a free school meal parcel service.

​You and our students, will have many questions and we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. We hope that our communication with you over the next two weeks should answer any questions you have, but as always, please let us know if you have any urgent concerns.​

Many families will have heard the Prime Minister’s address on Sunday 11th May in which he stated that:

“At the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6. Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays.”

Tavistock College will continue to offer places for vulnerable children and those of key workers, but we understand that many other parents will want to know more about when their children will return to school. Schools across the country will also have heard this news for the first time on Sunday and over the course of the next week or two, we will be reviewing the detailed guidance the government has said it will provide. We will then take any action required to open the school to the year groups identified in a safe way. When we are in a position to do so, we will provide information on the website and in other communications so that you  will know exactly when Tavistock College will be able to once again offer a place for your children. 

The College uses GCSEPod to support online learning in school and at home. They are offering a series of webinars for parents. Join a GCSEPod webinar and find out how you can use GCSEPod to support your child’s learning plus get tips and guidance on effective home learning practices. Follow the link to register.