Coronavirus – Latest Information

Update: 14^th January 2022

Students have settled well into this second term of the academic year and whilst we continue to contend with Covid, the number of cases being reported by staff and students has been reducing over the last week. This is in line with the national and city-wide picture which show a reduction in the number of positive cases being reported daily.

Whilst a reduction in cases is welcome, the college continues to ask all students, staff and visitors to stay extra vigilant and adhere to all guidelines in place to help stop the spread of the virus to help us avoid disruption to onsite teaching and learning.

Ventilation is one of the college main measures to reduce the chances of the Coronavirus spreading and all our spaces are monitored for CO2 levels and all have designated ventilation protocols in place.

Face coverings in communal areas and classrooms has been recently re-introduced by the Government and we ask all students to bring a face covering with them to college and to wear them in all areas including classrooms, ensuring covering for both nose and mouth. We also encourage regular hand washing and sanitisation too.

One of the most important things our students can do is to regularly test using the free lateral flow test kits made available to all staff and students. These are available from receptions and with seven tests in each pack this should be enough to last up to three weeks, if you are testing two to three times per week as per the guidance.

We are asking students to only come onto site if you have timetabled lessons, if your tutor has asked you to come in or if you are using the library or other learning resource.

Guidance governing self-isolation is being updated too. From Monday 17^th January, the isolation period for those testing positive will be reduced to five days. This means that if day 0 is the day of the confirmed positive test (or onset of symptoms), you must do a lateral flow test on day 4 and 5. Only if both are negative are you able to exit isolation on day 6.

If students are in households with known Covid cases, or have come into recent contact with a known case, they do not need to isolate. Providing they are under 18 years and 6 months, or are fully vaccinated, they can continue to attend college but are advised to take daily lateral flow tests and only attend if negative.

Here you will find our latest correspondence with students which contains up to date guidance on self-isolation.

Absences from college

If students are absent from college they should let the college know using the absence reporting form. You can also report a COVID result on behalf of a student or staff member.

You can find more information about Covid, its symptoms and all current Government guidance on the Government’s coronavirus web pages.