Lockdown 2 began today so it’s business as usual for Better Tuition, but onscreen. We have taken our services online for the duration of November and our doors will reopen on 2nd December. Our students will have their usual dynamic, engaging lessons and we will still run our free assessments. Our Entrance Exam Zoom Webinar will still take place on 16th November.
It hasn’t been an easy decision because the government hasn’t insisted on tuition centres closing. Lockdown guidelines state that it is acceptable to leave the house for education. Furthermore, as we are Ofsted-registered, parents can access our tuition as part of their childcare provision.
So we had to weigh up the benefits of continuing to open against the need to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Firstly, we had to consider whether we could offer a suitable alternative to in-person tuition. This one was a no-brainer. We learned a lot about delivering lessons online during Lockdown 1 and we are really confident that our web-based lessons are of the highest quality. We have developed a huge library of engaging digital resources. We have invested our time and our money to ensure that we can offer an unparalleled service. During Lockdown 1, we taught hundreds and hundreds of lessons online, so we are now adept at delivering digital education.
For all that, though, we know we offer a very safe environment. Children sit apart, facing the wall (it sounds Victorian but it does help them focus on their studies,as well as reducing the transmission of viruses). There are no more than five children per room. Each room is ventilated and benefits from an air purifier. Staff wear face shields and there are contactless hand sanitising stations throughout the building. The children must sanitise their hands before and after each session and we follow stringent cleaning protocols. For example, the toilet is cleaned after every single use (big thank you to our Receptionist/ Digital Resource Manager Emma, who has accepted this variation in her duties forbearingly).
Ultimately, though, we know that although we offer a very safe environment, people still have to leave their house to bring their children to Better Tuition. It’s very difficult to leave the house without encountering other people and we can’t control what happens on the way to our centre. The best way to stop the spread during Lockdown 2 really is to stay at home as much as possible. Education is really important but our students will not miss out. We’ll make sure of that. So we are closing for the protection of our students and their families and all those key workers who are in the frontline.
Yes, we will lose money. We thank our lucky stars that we are able to offer our services online, unlike many other businesses such as hairdressers or beauty salons, but like all small, family businesses, our situation is precarious. Just like you, we don’t know what the future holds or when the pandemic will end. However, we have had grants from the government. In fact, those grants have come from tax payers: ordinary people just like us who are doing their best to get through this year. We’ve been given these grants so that our business can survive during these tough times. We’re so grateful for the help we’ve been given. We could never repay the money so it’s only right that we use it in the right way: to enable us to close and protect as many people as we can during Lockdown 2. This is not a judgement on other tuition centres or other businesses. Each one has their own set of circumstances. If lockdown is extended after December 2nd, we will evaluate and make a decision based on circumstances at the time.
For now, we would just like to thank our customers for their support this year. We couldn’t carry on without you and we will work so hard to make sure the children don’t lose out. If you need help or support, just ring us straight away on 0161 748 3912. Let’s stop the spread, beat this virus and get on with the rest of our lives.
