Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We're sorry to say we've closed temporarily from Monday 16th March...
(This update as at 13th June 2020)
Dear All
We hope that you are all safe and well. Our current status update is that we will remain closed for the rest of June and July due to the covid-19 lockdown restrictions and complexities around re-opening. All workshops from March to May inclusive have been rescheduled to later in the year. Workshops for June and July sadly have had to be cancelled, as there are no longer any remaining spaces in the calendar to reschedule them. We are deeply saddened to take this course of action as we know it impacts your enjoyment too.
We are doing all we can to prepare for a tentative reopening of the school from 1st August, and are waiting for final guidelines on how organisations like ours can safely do so. In the meantime, please read our plans below based on current information from GOV.UK for safe social distancing measures we are putting in place:
Ardington School of Crafts
Summary of covid-19 safety protections
We provide a regular update to students who are booked on courses of our progress and the status of your particular course. If your course is cancelled by us, we will offer a refund, or a transfer to another course, in line with our usual policy.
The good news in the meantime, is that we have extended our programme of safe, socially-distant online LivePlus workshops and ArtTalks, which have been extremely popular. You can see the full programme at this link: ArdingtonAcademy. These small group sessions (limited to 12 students) are hosted live on Zoom video conferencing, which our students and tutors are describing as incredibly simple to use. We hope to see you again soon, and in the meantime, do feel free to give us a call or drop us a line to discuss any aspects of our programmes.
With best wishes, Yvonne and Simon
(This update as at 13th June 2020)
Dear All
We hope that you are all safe and well. Our current status update is that we will remain closed for the rest of June and July due to the covid-19 lockdown restrictions and complexities around re-opening. All workshops from March to May inclusive have been rescheduled to later in the year. Workshops for June and July sadly have had to be cancelled, as there are no longer any remaining spaces in the calendar to reschedule them. We are deeply saddened to take this course of action as we know it impacts your enjoyment too.
We are doing all we can to prepare for a tentative reopening of the school from 1st August, and are waiting for final guidelines on how organisations like ours can safely do so. In the meantime, please read our plans below based on current information from GOV.UK for safe social distancing measures we are putting in place:
Ardington School of Crafts
Summary of covid-19 safety protections
- Classes have been cut to one each day, rather than two, to avoid congestion and to ensure social distancing at 2 metres can be observed
- Class size is a maximum of 12 persons, plus the tutor
- Weather permitting, some classes may be held outside
- The school layout has been amended to accommodate all necessary social distancing measures, by closing the back classroom except for a one way corridor to the exit, sinks and the bathrooms
- The front classroom and dining room area will be opened up into one large space to accommodate socially distanced work table layouts
- A one-way system will be in place throughout the schools, with signage and distancing markings, and barriers where required
- All doors and windows will remain open for best ventilation
- Tutors will demonstrate via webcam projected onto a large screen TV out in front of the classroom and will sit behind a screened off desk, and can be approached for one to one assistance at the correct safe distance
- Students and tutors are asked to observe social distancing at all times, and not move around the classroom to look at others work
- Shared tools must be sanitised after each use – where possible students will be provided with own set or/and can use own tools
- Refreshments and lunch will be served separately in individual packs and can be taken in the garden, at desks, on a walk or in own cars, or you can bring your own
- Tea, coffee and water will be available as usual and handles must be sanitised after each use. Please bring your own mugs!
- Additional daily sanitising / cleaning measures will be put in place. Sanitiser and cleaning materials will be available in each classroom and at the entrance
- It is requested that all tutors and students wear appropriate face coverings and wash hands hourly. Please bring own sanitiser supply if preferred to soap and water
- Anyone who has been in contact with, or experiencing symptoms of covid-19 in the last 14 days will NOT be permitted to enter
- For full details of each covid-secure workplace measure, please ask ASC for the annotated Government guidelines
We provide a regular update to students who are booked on courses of our progress and the status of your particular course. If your course is cancelled by us, we will offer a refund, or a transfer to another course, in line with our usual policy.
The good news in the meantime, is that we have extended our programme of safe, socially-distant online LivePlus workshops and ArtTalks, which have been extremely popular. You can see the full programme at this link: ArdingtonAcademy. These small group sessions (limited to 12 students) are hosted live on Zoom video conferencing, which our students and tutors are describing as incredibly simple to use. We hope to see you again soon, and in the meantime, do feel free to give us a call or drop us a line to discuss any aspects of our programmes.
With best wishes, Yvonne and Simon