Coronavirus: Darlington College cancels all face-to-face teaching

The college on Haughton Road this morning (March 18) announced that all of its students would be moving to an 'online learning' platform later this week.

It said none of its apprentices or part-time students should attend college from Thursday until further notice - meanwhile it said full time students should not attend college from Friday.

A statement said: "Following Government advice, we will be moving to online learning only.

"We will endeavour to continue to provide free school meals and will provide further details as soon as we are able to do so.

"The College will remain open and contact can be made via telephone and other online channels."

The college said it hoped to re-open to students on Monday, April 20 but would be providing updates closer to the time.

It comes after the Education Partnership North East, which includes Sunderland College, Hartlepool Sixth Form and Northumberland College, announced a temporary suspension of face-to-face learning for all university-level courses and adult provision. 

Ellen Thinnesen, Chief Executive of Education Partnership North East, said: “These are, without a doubt, unprecedented times during which our priority is to protect our students and staff and their respective families.  

“We have robust plans and procedures in place to maintain the majority of our curriculum delivery and business critical functions to support staff and students, however, this break in adult and higher education learning will enable us to put further contingency plans in place, including the development of remote learning aids, so study can continue off-site if necessary.” 

"To safeguard the wellbeing and safety of its students, the college group has also cancelled all non-essential college events, plus third-party and private hire events using college facilities.  

"The colleges across Education Partnership North East continue to have no confirmed cases of COVID-19."