COVID-19: TEMPORARY CLOSURE UPDATE FOR SCHOOLS & GROUPS

Posted on 18th March 2020 at 16:12

** PLEASE SWITCH TO OUR COVID RESPONSE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES **

UPDATED 8 June 2020:

Sandwell Council took the decision to temporarily close Sandwell Residential Education Centres to all schools and groups from Friday 20th March until further notice. We aim to re-open as soon as circumstances allow.

The centres are:

Edgmond Hall Centre for Outdoor Learning

Frank Chapman Outdoor Education Centre

Ingestre Hall Residential Arts Centre

Plas Gwynant Outdoor Education Centre

The temporary closure includes all on-site facilities, courses and events, to comply with the latest government advice.

We anticipate that when the current crisis is over, children (and staff) will be keener than ever for outdoor and creative learning, and to that end wish to re-open as soon as possible. However, we recognise that schools and other groups have to plan logistically and financially, so for clarity:

Schools and groups with an existing booking

We have contacted all existing bookers directly.

1. Summer term. Sadly, no residential visits will take place during the summer term. We continue to monitor latest Covid-19 guidance and, should circumstances allow, have draft plans to support schools with outreach work.

Schools and groups with bookings will be invited to provisionally book for next year; if you haven't heard from us please do get in touch. There will be no charge for any visit in the summer term that is unable to proceed.

2. Autumn term. At present we are keen to keep bookings open for the autumn term, and encourage schools/groups to do so with no financial risk should the visit not go ahead. When conditions allow, we aim to run residentials and be flexible about programmes and numbers to meet school needs. If meeting the normal minimum booking number is not possible, we will only charge for actual numbers attending.

If schools or groups booked to visit before October half term wish to cancel or reschedule, please contact the centre you are due to visit, or complete our contact form. We are of course very keen for schools to reschedule or rebook later in the school year; should you wish to provisionally do so, please let us know.

Staying in touch

We will continue to update the news & blog section of this website

Our central email address is sres_centres@sandwell.gov.uk

You can contact us via the form HERE

In the short term we may take longer to respond than normal.

Can I still make a booking?

Yes. We do not ask for a deposit, and if the centres have not reopened due to COVID-19 by the time of the planned visit there will be no financial penalty to the school or group. Therefore there is no financial risk to schools or parents, or other booking groups, in scheduling a visit.

You can email us or complete our contact form (above) and we’ll be delighted to receive an enquiry from you. Do email us with any questions that you have.

Read: Coronavirus - advice and information from Sandwell Council

Read our five top tips to help protect yourself and your community from coronavirus.

Read: Outdoor Education Advisers' Panel national guidance for planning & managing outdoor learning and off-site visits during the Coronavirus.

Creative & Adventurous resources for home

Our talented teams from around the centres are creating resources and activities that you can use at home. See more HERE.

For now, thank you so much for your continued support; we’ll look forward to welcoming you back at a centre soon.

With best wishes from all at Edgmond Hall, Frank Chapman Centre, Ingestre and Plas Gwynant.