Coronavirus – Latest Information

Students taking the test at College will be supervised by trained staff and volunteers using a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test. The lateral flow tests are quick and easy to undertake, using a swab of the nose and throat. Results usually take around half an hour from testing. A student taking a test will also receive a text/email notification of a positive or negative result from the online NHS system.

LFD tests have been widely and successfully used to detect COVID-19 in people without symptom. No test is perfect, but the speed and convenience of LFD tests supports detection of the virus in people without symptoms who would not otherwise be tested. They are clinically approved and are crucial in the fight against the virus.

As the tests are more sensitive with higher viral loads, there is a risk of returning a negative result when viral loads are low (for example, in the early stages of infection). This is why Public Health England recommends two LFD tests 3 to 5 days apart (or 3 to 4 days for home testing), to enhance detection by picking up any cases which were not detected during the first test and to catch any new infections.

If a student tests positive using an LFD, it is likely that they are infectious at that moment, whereas people testing positive on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or lab-processed test could be in the less infectious early or late stages of disease. This means that by using the lateral flow test we can identify people with a high viral load who are the most likely to spread the virus further.

A negative LFD result should not be read as a means to relax other virus prevention measures intended to reduce transmission – LFD is an additional tool that contributes to reducing risk

If you test positive on a lateral flow device, you will be informed immediately by Nottingham College and NHS Test and Trace and you will need to self-isolate in line with the current guidance. You will need to get a PCR test to confirm your result.

You can order a PCR test kit to be sent to their home or book an appointment at a walk-in or drive-through test site. You should continue to self-isolate until you have received your PCR test result and then follow the advice you are given when you get that result.

If you test positive for Coronavirus you need to tell us as soon as you can. You can complete the positive test alert form.

The people who you live with are not required to self-isolate if any of the following apply:

• They’re fully vaccinated.
• They’re below the age of 18 years 6 months
• They’ve taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
• They’re not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

NHS Test and Trace will contact them to let them know they have been identified as a contact and check whether they are legally required to self-isolate. If they are not legally required to self-isolate, they will be provided with advice on testing and given guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

While a small number of students may need to repeat the test if the first test was invalid or void for some reason, pupils who test negative will be able to stay in College and resume their activities as normal. Students will be informed of negative test results via text/email. Where participants are under 16, parents or legal guardians will also be informed.

The staff member or student will be notified that they are a close contact by NHS Test and Trace and should self-isolate in line with the current guidance. See the "What if I test positive?" information above.

This testing programme at Nottingham College is for people with no symptoms. If a student develops symptoms at any time (including a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) they must immediately self-isolate, and book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting the GOV.UK website.

We will support our staff and pupils throughout, but please contact us if you have any questions. You can contact the office by calling 0115 9 100 100.

From Monday 17 May, face coverings are no longer recommended for pupils and students in classrooms or communal areas. Face coverings are also no longer recommended for staff in classrooms.

However, we are asking staff students and visitors to use “common sense” and wear face coverings, If they are able, in crowded spaces.

The Government recognises that Colleges can include vocational and workplace training environments. FE providers can recommend the use of face coverings by students and staff in particular circumstances. For example, where teaching settings are more reflective of a workplace environment such as, a training kitchen.

Commercial training environments, such as hairdressing, barbering and beauty salons, sports and fitness facilities or restaurants, must comply with relevant sector guidance in working safely during COVID-19 and any current restrictions.

The Government’s plans for the awarding of grades this year have been updated since it announced that schools and colleges would re-open on the 8th March.

GCSEs, AS and A Levels will not be graded through final end of year exams this summer, due to the ongoing impact the Covid pandemic has had on exam preparation this year.

Instead grades will be determined by teachers. You can read more about Teacher Assessed Grades here.

Ofqual have produced a Student Guide to Awarding in Summer 2021 which you can download here.

Results days have now been confirmed as:

• A Levels and AS Levels: Tuesday 10th August
• GCSEs: Thursday 12th August

You can read guidance for students, parents and guardians for GCSEs and AS/A Levels in England issued by the Joint Council for Qualifications here

Students requiring IT equipment will need to talk to their tutor. If we can provide you with equipment we will arrange for this to get to you.

We recognise that for some families, the ongoing Covid pandemic has been especially difficult. Financial support is available for students in families with an household income of less than £25,000 a year.

You could be entitled to a travel pass, support to buy any equipment you need to do your course, or we might be able to loan you a laptop or help with internet access by issuing you with a 4G router. Whilst you are in college to attend classes you could also get a meal in the college refectory.

If you are 19yrs and over of age and are living with a parent(s) and you have a part time job, we take only your earnings into account.

For our adult learners we can help with childcare too. If you are working you still may qualify. The income threshold is £25,000 but if you have children we allow you £1000 per child.

It is not too late to apply for this additional financial support - we can backdate payments.

Submit an application online via your learner portal, upload the required evidence and we will be in touch soon about your entitlement.

If you need help just call us on 9100 100 and one of our advisors can talk you through your application.

The College is notified about cases affecting our staff or student population. If a staff member or student begins to feel unwell or receives a positive test, that staff member is immediately isolated and arrangements made to return them safely home.

From 16 August 2021 students under the age of 18 will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.

Instead students will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace, informed they have been in close contact with a positive case and given age appropriate testing advice, which is likely to mean taking a PCR test.

Students do not have to self-isolate unless they test positive.

For the latest advice about what to do if you feel symptoms or someone close to you becomes ill, please visit the Covid information on the Government’s website