We are looking forward to welcoming you back to College for the Spring Term.
As you will be aware, the guidance to schools and colleges on managing the Covid-19 pandemic has been updated for January and, therefore, I wanted to confirm the details of how the College will be operating to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Face Coverings
The guidance says that all staff and students should now wear face coverings when in classrooms or workshops, in addition to moving around the building, in corridors and communal areas.
The key change is the additional use of face coverings in classrooms and workshops. Please make us aware if you are unable to wear a face covering for health reasons.
Regular Testing
Please continue to take a Lateral Flow Test twice a week and report these on the government website and to the College via your tutor.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and highlight any COVID related absence
Self Isolation
The rules around self-isolation have also been updated, please visit Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) for full details. If you have any symptoms, please ensure you request a PCR and begin to isolate immediately. When returning to College after isolation, please report your two consecutive negative tests (these must be taken on separate days) to the College via your tutor.
Keeping you safe
We continue to operate all the existing measures to keep the College as Covid safe as possible including:
- Lateral Flow testing twice per week by all staff and students
- Keeping rooms well ventilated
- Maintaining social distance wherever possible
- Using the one-way system to move around the building
- Working at home where the role allows it
- Continuing to encourage regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and putting used tissues in the bin immediately
The vast majority of students will appreciate the importance of face coverings at this point, but ultimately, we may need to use the disciplinary process in certain cases to reinforce this. We have included mask wearing and regular lateral flow testing as an addendum in the Student Code of Conduct to reinforce our commitment to these safety measures.
We appreciate your support in our ongoing effort to keeping everyone safe and maintaining the continuation of learning and teaching.
Further information: ESFA Update further education: 5 January 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)