I had met with Jenny and assigned targets for her to work on in the run up to the COVID pandemic. However, in March 2020 we were put under lockdown restrictions. Due to the nature of the school being a specialist school who support many vulnerable and poorly children, they implemented a total restriction on non- essential visitors.
NWCS continued to support Jenny as well as all other learners remotely. Live delivery sessions were organised and completed via zoom. Jenny attended these. We also kept to regular Friday check ins only it was moved to telephone visits rather than being on site.
Jenny largely remained focused and enthusiastic throughout her whole apprenticeship journey. Jenny utilised opportunities during self-isolation periods well by working on her assignments and completing independent research. She remained updated and current with her in house training at the school and logged these throughout maintaining her CPD record.
Restrictions slightly eased for a short period in June and an observation was scheduled to take place to secure her practical aspects of her qualification. Witness testimonies had already been provided by her employer. This observation was cancelled a couple of days before it was due to go ahead as there had been several positive COVID cases that week. The head teacher contacted me to inform that after an emergency meeting with the risk team the school had to close the doors again to visitors.
After a discussion with the IV and also SV, it was agreed that reflective accounts could be used to secure her outstanding criteria on her qualification. There has been a broad range of assessment methods used throughout her programme including professional discussions. I felt that all the evidence combined was valid, safe and secure enough to sign this qualification off. The IV also agreed with this.
During her apprenticeship period Jenny was offered and secured a permanent position as a TA within the school. She has accepted this role and is now in full time employment at the school.
