Covid-19 Guidance and support
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Wednesday, 21st July 2021
Dear all,
I know this pandemic continues to be a worrying time for us all, but I must commend our learners and staff on how they have coped in returning to College and their support in following all the new procedures and guidance to ensure our spaces are as safe as possible.
Following the statement on the 19th July from Central Government, I would like to explain how Weston College will be approaching the situation, with the priority to maintain the highest levels of health and safety for everyone associated with the College.
We will continue to stress ‘Hands, Face, Space’ for example:
- Sanitisation stations will remain in place
- Enhanced cleaning regime to be maintained until at least December 2021
- Face masks – strongly advised in communal areas and dedicated transport
- One-way systems will be removed from Monday 2 August
- Social distancing will no longer be necessary from Monday 2 August
In addition, the following is relevant for the Autumn term
- Testing of learners - when learners (16-19, Apprentices, HE) return they will undertake two onsite tests (precise details will be publicised here in due course).
- Classrooms will return to full capacity with rooms well ventilated.
- College transport will continue with social distancing, where vehicles are not at full capacity and continue with ventilation where weather allows.
- Visitors to the College will continue with pre-attendance covid safe disclosure.
- Everyone will ensure continued reporting to covid.reporting@weston.ac.uk
I fully expect there to be some changes to the above as the summer progresses and also as the country takes account and responds to the COVID-19 situation. Any changes will again be communicated directly to you here.
Thank you for your continued hard work and support.
Dr Paul Phillips CBE
Principal and Chief Executive
Previous Updates:
Click to view our January 8th Update
Click here to view our March 5th Update
Click here to view our May 24th Update
*** A Letter to Young People from Gavin Williamson MP, Secretary of State for Education - 29th March 2021 - Click Here To Read ***
How will I be protected?
Weston College opened its doors back up in June, so we have had the opportunity to effectively implement and trial a robust approach to campus health, safety, wellbeing plans to ensure you are safe when onsite.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Every teaching space and communal area is set-up to ensure you can learn, study and socialise safely
- Additional cleaning, extra hand-washing and sanitising facilities have been added
- More staff are on hand to make sure everyone understands and follows the rules
- Access to the building is through each main reception of the campus only – we are tracking and tracing all staff and students through the scanning of ID badges at barriers
- Clear signage for a new directional system is displayed to enable safe movement around campuses
- We have curriculum pods and dedicated zones to limit contact with others onsite
- Face masks are mandatory in communal spaces and corridors onsite
- Teachers will wear PPE where there is a requirement for them to work in close proximity to learners to check their work
- Timetables have been constructed to ensure that you are in for set blocks of time - free periods have been removed where possible to reduce unnecessary movement of students
- Blended learning (face to face and online) form part of study programmes.
- Online resources can be accessed through Microsoft Teams, which is the platform that the College uses as its virtual learning environment.
- We request that staff and students to continue to engage with the Track and Trace App
- Only necessary staff and students are permitted on campus at present. All other external visitors are unable to attend under the current restrictions, all external meetings will be held virtually.
- Reporting a COVID absence in the first instance to your tutor and your employer if you are an apprentice or on work experience. All learners will need to keep the College updated on their situation, including new symptoms and most importantly learners cannot return to site until authorised to do so.
- Students/staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable are advised to study/work from home and not come into College. Individuals in this group will have been identified through a letter from the NHS or from their GP
- Students/staff who live with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable, but who are not clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, should still attend College.
What we will encourage you to do when you are on campus:
- If you need to cough or sneeze, remember - Catch it! Bin it! Kill it!
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
- Limit your movement around the campus and any unnecessary contact where possible
- Stay in your assigned curriculum pod and learning zone
- You will be expected to return home following any block of learning
- Bring and use your own laptop and tablets at College (loan and bursary support is available)
- Wear your ID badge at all times.
Health and wellbeing support
Welfare and Pastoral Support Services includes Welfare and Retention Officers and Counsellors providing confidential, non-judgmental support and guidance regarding a wide range of issues.
Click the buttons below to find out more about our services and how to get in touch.
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