Twice-weekly Testing 

In line with government guidance, we are asking all staff and students to complete twice weekly Lateral Flow tests at home. This helps to identify anyone who is asymptomatic (doesn't have symptoms of Covid-19) and therefore is helping to minimise the spread of the virus. 

Lateral Flow Testing

What are Lateral Flow Tests?

These are tests that provide a fast result, designed to identify people who don’t have symptoms of Covid 19 (who are asymptomatic) but may still have the virus.

The test involves taking a nose and throat swab sample which is then tested there and then and provides a result within 30 minutes. The tests are self–administered (i.e. you swab yourself). 

If your test comes back as positive you will be asked to go home and to book a formal PCR test through the government website. This is a more accurate test.

Students can collect home tests from each of our colleges:

• Langley College - Learning Centre – 10.00am – 2.00pm 
• Windsor College – Main Reception – 10.00am – 2.00pm
• Strode’s College - Student Services – 10.00am – 2.00pm

Adult and Evening Students

You can collect test kits from the Reception on your campus before the start of your class, or during the daytime times above. Please ensure that you bring  your College ID.

We recommend you take the test twice each week with three to four days between each test.

If you receive a positive result you (and your household) must isolate and book a PCR test. Please also notify the College of a positive result via your normal attendance reporting. 

Please upload the status of all your results and details to the gov.uk website at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result upon completion. 

Shielding

The government has advised that students who are clinically extremely vulnerable should not attend College until 31st March at the earliest because the risk of exposure to the virus may remain high. The College will make arrangements for these students to continue receive their education remotely.  

Keeping you Safe at College

The government has announced new safety measures to be implemented on our return to face to face teaching:

• Face coverings will need to be worn by students, staff and visitors in public places (indoors) and in the classrooms and workshops, where two metre social distancing is not possible.
• The enhanced hygiene measures that have been in operation throughout last year will continue – this includes the provision of hand sanitisers throughout the college;additional cleaning of high traffic areas throughout the day; Cleaning of equipment and desks at the start and end of classes.
• Clear directional signage to ensure safe movement around campus.
• Two metre teaching zone and use of visors by teachers in the classroom
• Perspex screens in face to face areas
• Laptop leasing scheme for home and personal learning
• Trace and track system for identifying "close contacts"
• Weekly updates to students, parents and carers.

Please continue to follow the guidance and adhere to the lockdown rules.

What To Do If You Develop Symptoms Of Covid-19

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you must not come into college and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when your symptoms appeared. Please notify the college straight away. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.  

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Face Coverings

All students, staff and visitors will be asked to bring and wear a face covering while in communal areas of the College such as corridors, cafes and other indoor communal areas. The government advice has recently changed and now requires the wearing of face coverings in lessons -where two metre social distancing is not possible. Please note a visor is not considered to be a suitable face covering, however these may be worn by teachers when delivering a lesson as long as they remain within the two metres social distancing rule.

National Guidance For Reporting Of Confirmed Cases Of Coronavirus For Colleges And Schools

We are following the government and Public Health England (PHE) Guidelines on the reporting of confirmed coronavirus cases in our staff and student population which includes:

• Consultation with the Department for Education, PHE and the Local Health Protection Team
• Identification of those people who may have been in close contact with any confirmed cases through our track and trace system
• Notification of the case to those who have been in close contact, along with support and guidance about the requirement to self-isolate
• Support in place for online and remote learning for any students who are required to self-isolate
• Notification of any confirmed cases to the wider college community through a weekly update
• Enhanced cleaning of the relevant campus where any confirmed cases are notified
• Continued vigilance regarding the wearing of masks in public areas, hand-washing and social distancing.

Following the national guidance, we have organised the college timetables and classes into “bubbles” to minimise risk and therefore, where there is a confirmed case, only those who are advised to stay at home need to do so. 

This controlled approach allows us to continue learning safely.

Safety Guide And Risk Assessment

Please see the group's Safety Guide for Learners and detailed Risk Assessment here.

Safety Measures at College

Classrooms, Studios And Workshops

All of our teaching areas and study programmes have undergone a strict risk assessment and appropriate amendments made to layout and the management of hygiene and movement while in class. The protocols have been outlined in the student guide and as part of our induction programme and students are required to follow the guidance to keep themselves and others safe.

Hear from our dedicated leadership team about our commitment to keeping you safe and protecting your future:

For more information - click on the links below:

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