DURHAM University has moved to calm concerns about offering online learning on its campus this term, despite ministers calling on educational institutions in the UK for a return to face-to-face teaching.

The university, which has previously turned to online methods earlier in the pandemic, today (January 10) announced that it would be starting the new term in a virtual capacity, due to the rising number of Omicron cases within County Durham and the wider North East.

Despite reintroducing an online timetable, the historic institution has clarified that labs and practical lessons will be continuing ‘in person’, with small and medium sized group sessions returning in the second week of the new term and the university hoping to return face-to-face lessons by the end of January.  

Read more: Durham University's first female Vice-Chancellor in post

In a statement, a spokesperson for Durham University said: “It continues to be our policy to deliver a high-quality, in-person teaching and learning experience. Last term we offered a fully in-person experience, and we firmly plan to have the same this term.

“The health and safety of our students, staff and the wider community remains our priority. We want to manage our teaching and learning environment as safely as possible, given rising infection rates both locally within North East England and nationally.

The spokesperson added: “We have, therefore, introduced temporary Covid-controls for the next two weeks as we manage the current wave of Omicron infections. This will enable a short transition period to test on arrival and assess the prevalence and degree of required self-isolation in our community.

The Northern Echo: Alongside the online lessons, mask wearing and regular testing is in place across Durham University and its campus. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT. Alongside the online lessons, mask wearing and regular testing is in place across Durham University and its campus. Photo: SARAH CALDECOTT.

“In week one, all labs and practical classes will continue with existing robust Covid mitigation measures, and all other teaching will take place online. In week two, we will reintroduce in-person small to medium sized group teaching while larger group teaching will remain online. We fully expect to revert to full in-person teaching following this transition period.”

As well as reintroducing virtual lessons, the university has said that students participating in outdoor sports and other outdoor events and activities must prove they have a negative Lateral Flow Test result.

It has also introduced measures about face coverings in the University Library, when moving around in buildings and during in-person teaching and some wider student experience activity.

Read more: Students at Durham University threaten to stop rent payments

Despite insisting that keeping its student population safe was its “main priority”, education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, was quoted as saying that there are “no excuses” for universities not to deliver face-to-face learning despite a surge in Covid infections and staff absences across the board.

Mr Zahawi said his expectation of universities “is that they deliver face-to-face education - they need to deliver it” and that students who “feel they are not getting value for money” should make complaints “to the Office for Students”.

Speaking over the weekend, Mr Zahawi’s comments come as several universities have offered online or “blended” learning this term and schools have faced staff shortages.

The Northern Echo: Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi had initially called on universities to return face-to-face lessons. Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi had initially called on universities to return face-to-face lessons.

Alongside Durham, Queen’s University Belfast and King’s College London have also announced that they will hold most classes online for the “foreseeable future”

According to a recent report, more than 100 institutions, including 23 of the top 24 in the Russell Group, plan to offer a mix of online and face-to-face teaching this term.

However, Mr Zahawi has pointed to primary and secondary schools as examples to follow – with the education secretary urging a return to “normal” for universities, despite also admitting that absences of staff in education was running at about 8.5 per cent.

He said: “They are doing it in primary and secondary schools and in colleges. I expect universities to do the same thing, otherwise explain why not. There are no excuses, we are all in this together.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054