Return to college in January - Latest information for learners and parents
As many of you are aware, infection and transmission rates remain very high within our local area.
We have worked hard to put into place all of the appropriate risk assessments and guidance to ensure that we are able to bring learners back into college in a safe and managed way.
From Monday 10th January, learners will follow a blend of campus based and on-line learning as per your individual course arrangements. Please note that these arrangements could be subject to change at short notice and we will aim to communicate any changes to you as soon as we possibly can.
New Guidance and Health and Safety measures
It is vital that all learners abide by the college’s updated learner guidance and safety measures and would ask that you all familiarise yourself with the guidance, (which can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/34pO31B and which is also attached to this email) and also watch the safety video here: https://youtu.be/OCj7QheMxVA prior to attending college.
Dedicated COVID-19 Hub for learners and parents
We have also set up a dedicated COVID-19 page on our Website, which details lots of information, support and helpful tips and links to support your return to college and also your preparation for your exams.
Arrangements for week commencing Monday 10th January
- All planned exams, including A level mock exams, GCSE, BTEC, AAT and vocational assessments will go ahead as per the exam timetable and learners are expected to come on to site to sit these exams. A copy of the detailed exams timetable is attached to this email for you and can also be found here. Please ensure that you arrive 15 minutes before the exam start time and go immediately to your allocated room. You will need to stay in the room for the duration of the exam or assessment. Please also ensure that you adhere to the college's 2-metre social distancing rules while you wait to go into the room and when you leave the room.
- Vocational learners who are not sitting examinations e.g. motor vehicle, construction, health and care and hair and beauty, engineering, IT, art and design, performing arts, media and music will follow their normal timetable at college. Your course tutors will be in touch with you to confirm the arrangements with you.
- Any vulnerable learners requiring an element of face to face support or learners who may find it challenging to access on-line lessons will also be able to come in to college. If you are struggling to access your lessons from home and would like to come in to use the IT facilities, please speak to your tutor, who in turn, will speak to a member of the college’ support team to arrange this for you.
- All Higher Education Evening classes (after 4pm) will take place on site
- All part-time evening classes will take place after 4pm on site, including AAT, Welding and ACL classes
PLEASE NOTE: Monday 17th January is a designated Guided Learning Day
Arrangements for week commencing Tuesday 18th January
- All planned exams, including GCSE, BTEC, AAT and vocational assessments will continue to go ahead as per the exam timetable and learners are expected to come on to site to sit these exams. A copy of the detailed exams timetable is attached to this email for you and can also be found here. Please ensure that you arrive 15 minutes before the exam start time and go immediately to your allocated room. You will need to stay in the room for the duration of the exam or assessment. Please also ensure that you adhere to the college's 2-metre social distancing rules while you wait to go into the room and when you leave the room.
- A level learners will follow their normal timetable at college
- Vocational learners who are not sitting examinations will follow part or all of their normal timetable at college. Your course tutors will be in touch with you to confirm the arrangements with you.
- All Higher Education Evening classes (after 4pm) will take place on site
- All part-time evening classes will take place after 4pm on site, including AAT, Welding and ACL classes
Attending college
Please do not attend college if:
- You feel unwell, have any of the identified Covid-19 symptoms (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or loss of taste or smell) – if this is the case, you must self-isolate immediately and book a COVID-19 test;
- Have tested positive for COVID-19
- Have been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service
If you are unable to attend, please notify your tutor immediately.
Expectations whilst at college
All learners are required to:
- Adhere to all of the college’s learner safety guidance and rules, including:
- Wearing a face mask at all times in college, including during your exam or assessment and on college transport, unless you are medically exempt.
- Abiding by the college's 2-metre social distancing rules
- Ensuring that you regularly wash and sanitise your hands
Ventilation and room temperature
To ensure that you are in the safest environment possible, all of the college’s classrooms, exam and assessment rooms will be well ventilated. All learners are therefore advised to wear warm clothing to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible during your lessons, exams/assessments.
Exam conditions
For those learners sitting exams, normal exam conditions and regulations will remain in place, meaning that no food or drink will be allowed in the exam rooms.
Please bring all the equipment needed for the exam, such as; calculators, rulers, pens, pencils etc.,
On-line lessons
Where you have got on-line lessons or revision sessions timetabled, it is vitally important that you join these sessions and that you keep in touch with your tutors. If you are receiving any learner support, this will continue online throughout the week.
Learners, who are in receipt of free meals and learning on-line, will continue to have money transferred to their bank accounts.
We understand that this is a difficult time and we want to reassure you that we doing everything we can to ensure that you are able to continue your learning and exams whilst keeping you all as safe as possible.
Thank you and stay safe
The College Executive Team
