In response to the news reports around lectures at Cambridge University in the academic year 20-21, Churchill College would like to assure our community that we are planning, along with the University, to welcome as many students as possible to Cambridge for the start of the next academic year, guided always by advice from Public Health England. We are committed to continuing to deliver high quality education to all our students and to delivering a valuable student experience, while ensuring that we respond effectively to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lectures are just one part of the rich education that Cambridge offers and freeing up space in lecture halls will allow us to concentrate on delivering face to face small group teaching, language classes, lab work and practicals, wherever possible within guidelines. The decision to suspend mass lectures in person for the next academic year and instead make them available online will provide new flexibility enabling College and the wider University to plan effectively for small group teaching that is at the heart of our educational provision – supervisions, seminars or individual tuition. In addition, the College will aim to provide an engaging community life, even in the midst of social distancing.
Speaking of the announcement Master of Churchill, Professor Dame Athene Donald said “Cambridge colleges have always offered a variety of small group teaching in all subjects. We are committed to enabling this to continue, if guidelines allow, whatever happens for large lectures. All colleges, including Churchill College, are considering what will give the best possible student experience in the current climate.
We would like to assure the Churchill community, both old and new, that we will continue to keep everyone updated with further information as and when we have it. We would also strongly recommend checking the University’s FAQs page for the most up-to-date information.”
