Scarborough Sixth Form uses innovative ways to keep students learning in lockdown

Despite not being able to attend Scarborough Sixth Form College for lessons, students are being taught as close to as usual as is possible.

Maths teacher John Armstrong said the team at the college did not want students to feel abandoned.

“It was our aim from the outset to take a ‘business as usual’ approach, ensuring that students did not simply feel cut off,” he said,

“Given the years of hard work and effort they have put in, they deserve the opportunity to finish their courses properly.”

The college’s IT staff have been working round the clock so that teachers can provide interactive video lessons, document-sharing platforms and the ability to allow assignments to be handed in and marked over the internet.

“We wanted to get as close as possible to making online lessons as authentic as being stood in front of the students in a classroom,” said Mr Armstrong.

“We want to help them realise that finishing their course in the right way is imperative in preparing them for university, and also to keep them in a routine during the current lockdown, giving them a sense of purpose for their own mental wellbeing and self-esteem.”

The measures have been a hit, he said, and he has had close to 100 per cent attendance for his lessons.

Year 12 student Marcjanna Slodczyk said: “What I particularly like about them is the mutual feeling that we're all in this together and that we'll get through this well.

“The teachers still are as professional as they were in our normal lessons, keeping us occupied with work and patiently teaching us.”

The college is reassuring Year 11 students applying for next year not to be concerned about the security of their place.

“Their place is secure and actually the college is currently looking to increase the number of places we have for the coming academic year so that no prospective students are at a disadvantage,” said Mr Armstrong.

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