Coronavirus Update – 25/02/2021
Following the Government announcement on Monday 22nd February, outlining the road map for gradual relaxation of current national lockdown measures, we can now outline initial plans for the weeks ahead. We will, of course, continue to communicate with all learners, parents and carers as additional information becomes available and the term progresses but for now, the approach we will be adopting from 8th March 2021 is as follows:
- Return to on-campus teaching
16-19 School Leavers
On-campus teaching for 16-19 year old learners will re-commence from Monday 8th March 2021. The week of Monday 8th March will be a re-induction week, with learners undertaking a one day ‘re-induction’ programme as part of a welcome back to the college campus. Remote learning will continue during this week, supporting course progression alongside the important return to college.
Whilst remote learning will feature as part of wider blended learning timetables for 16-19 year olds, the majority of timetabled learning, from week commencing Monday 15th March, will be through on-site activity. Further details will be shared with all learners in due course.
Apprentices
On-campus activity will also re-commence for apprentices from weeks commencing Monday 8th March or Monday 15th March, however, it is not anticipated that visits to apprentices within the workplace will resume until a later date. Apprentices and employers will receive specific communication in relation to planned delivery.
Adults and Higher Education learners
Practical adult provision, timetabled for an evening will begin to re-commence from Monday 8th March but this will be on an individual subject basis, with those learners due to return informed individually. Equally, practical higher education courses, e.g. BA (Hons) Dance Performance, Teaching and Choreography will also resume on-campus teaching. However, the majority of higher education courses will, for the moment, continue to follow a remote learning timetable.
- Face Coverings and Safety Measures
In Monday’s briefing, the Prime Minister made it mandatory for face masks to be worn in all college classrooms. This was a requirement prior to the Christmas break at Preston’s College, so all learners (unless exempt) remain required to wear face masks (not visors) in all communal spaces and in all classrooms and workshops. Face masks also continue to be compulsory for all learners using public transport.
All other safety arrangements previously implemented at the College will remain in force, including social distancing, one way systems, frequent use of hand gel/washing and so forth.
- Regular Covid-19 Testing
A key difference in on-campus learning from the previous term is the introduction of regular coronavirus testing for all learners and staff. Whilst these tests are not compulsory, we are encouraging all learners to take up this offer, for the safety and wellbeing of fellow learners and staff.
An initial negative test will enable a learner to remain in the classroom, with a further two onsite tests offered over the following 10 days. After the first three tests have been undertaken onsite, the College will provide each learner with two tests per week. These tests will be undertaken at home, with results recorded through the NHS Test and Trace system and the individual notifying the College of their result. Again, this will not be mandatory but encouraged. Further information on home-testing and the reporting of results to the College will be provided over the coming week.