Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority so you can enjoy a safe learning experience. Please remember, COVID-19 is still around and there are some key things you can do to keep everyone safe. The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated. However, those who are fully vaccinated should also continue  to follow safer behaviours to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Keeping safe on campus

Please don’t come into college if you have COVID symptoms. Please be aware that for some young people symptoms of the most common Delta and Omicron variants of COVID are like a cold including headache, sneezing, runny nose and a sore throat. If you have symptoms, book a PCR test at your local COVID testing centre and stay at home until you get the results back. 

All students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. It is important to get vaccinated if you can, to reduce the need for you to have time off and reduce the risk of spreading COVID across college. You can book a vaccination online. The Government has published guidance for parents including evidence on why they believe the vaccine is safe for young people.

Following new government guidance, you should also wear face coverings in learning environments as well as in communal areas in college, unless you are exempt. Communal areas include corridors, toilets, common rooms and learning centres. Please ensure you bring a face covering to college. 

For those using public transport or college coaches, you must now wear your face covering when travelling (unless exempt).  

 

You should continue to carry out lateral flow tests twice a week to identify if you have the virus and are asymptomatic (have no symptoms). You can pick up home testing kits from learning centres or your tutors in college.

If you record a positive PCR test, you must self-isolate for up to 10 days. However, on day 6 and day 7 of your self-isolation period, you can take a lateral flow test each day.  If they both record negative test results, you can return to college.

From now on the Government has changed the approach for anyone who is a close contact of someone with COVID-19. You now need to take a lateral flow test every day for 7 days. If you test negative each day you can come into college. If you test positive or develop COVID symptoms you must stay at home, get a PCR test and notify the college by calling 0300 770 8000.  

Stay healthy and continue to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water along with sanitising your hands frequently. 

Floor markings and one way systems remain in place, please respect these routes around college and follow the arrows.

When should you not attend college?

  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive in the last 10 days
  • If you have been advised to stay at home by Public Health or NHS Test and Trace 

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus here.