THE PRINCIPAL of Bridgwater & Taunton College said announcements about a new vaccine have left him feeling 'optimistic' for the future after England entered into a third lockdown.

On Monday (January 4) Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a third national lockdown in England and shut schools to most students to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed by surging coronavirus infections.

Under the new measures all primary and secondary schools and colleges have moved to remote learning, except for the children of key workers or vulnerable children.

Andy Berry, principal and CEO Bridgwater & Taunton College, said students have 'embraced' remote learning and the school has invested more than £500,000 to help students and staff adapt to the new way of learning.

He said the college's top priority throughout the coronavirus pandemic has been to keep students and staff safe and he is 'confident' that they can continue to support them in this difficult times.

"Although we are in unchartered times, I am so proud to be principal of this amazing college, it truly is the staff and students who make it such a special place," Mr Berry said

"Our number one priority through the pandemic has been the safety and wellbeing of our staff, students, and our community.

"As we are all coming to terms with this latest lockdown this remains our guiding principle and I feel confident in our ability to support our students and staff.

"Our culture has always been to see challenges as opportunities and coronavirus has been one of the biggest challenges we have ever faced, and in some ways, it has a transformational affect.

"We have invested over £0.6m in new digital learning technology and IT equipment and moved quickly to recruit a new central team of digital innovators to support our staff and students and help them to adapt to the new ways of working and learning.

"Our staff and students have embraced the new way of learning and the move to online learning this term has been seamless.

"We are also using technology to support our schools and those in year 11 who are exploring their options, we have moved open evenings on-line with hundreds of Year 11 pupils watching videos relating to their chosen subject, taking virtual tours of the campuses, and attending live Q&A sessions."

Mr Berry said he 'enjoys fielding questions from visitors' and he is looking forward to taking part in live Q&A sessions which are scheduled throughout the New Year.

He said he is 'incredibly proud' of his staff who go 'above and beyond' to help students.

"We are confident that the way in which we have embraced digital technology will ensure our students stand out against their peers and gain an advantage by studying with us," Mr Berry said.

"Universities and employers have always recognised this difference, we call this ‘ The BTC Advantage’.

"This ‘Advantage ’now includes digital confidence alongside the broader skills BTC students gain.

"Even though we weren't able to get out and about as much as usual last term, it didn't stop our community from cycling (virtually) around the equator, raising money for charity, winning prestigious awards or applying to Oxford, our teaching team ensured students were able to make the most of their time at college, I have no doubt this will continue throughout 2021.

"I am incredibly proud of the staff team here at the college who time and time again go above and beyond to ensure our students achieve their potential.

"While we are still all living with the pandemic, I have to say the announcements on the new vaccines have provided some real optimism for the future.

"The college is an energetic and optimistic place, and this optimism comes from our staff and students."