PUBLISHED: Thur 2nd September 2021
We look forward to welcoming you to the College this September. Behind the scenes, we’ve been working hard to make sure you stay safe while you study here with us.
If you’re a new or returning student (aged 16-18 or a vulnerable adult), we’re asking you to take a lateral flow test before your first day at college. This is in line with guidance and advice from Government.
New students: If you are a new student, you will be invited in to take your first test, receive training on how to test at home and be given some test kits to take away. You should then take a second test 3-5 days after your first test during your first week at college.
Returning students: Please test at home no more than three days before your first day back at College. You should then take a second test 3-5 days after your first test during your first week at college.
Test kits will be given out in your lessons or can be collected from:
After your first week at college, please continue to test twice a week for the rest of September.
See how to take a test here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9XR8RZxKNo
Please report your test result here: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result
If you test positive, you should:
If your test result was unclear (void), you should do another test.
Positive, negative and void results should all be reported to NHS Test and Trace at https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.
Remember, if you’re showing symptoms of Covid-19 (even mildly), you should not come into college, self-isolate and get a free PCR test. Please remember to contact the College’s Absence Team and let us know you are self-isolating.
Covid-19 symptoms include:
However, if someone you live with has symptoms, or has tested positive, you will not need to self-isolate if:
Even if you don’t have symptoms, you should still get a free PCR test to check if you have Covid-19.
For full and up-to-date rules on self-isolating, please click here
These tests are to protect everyone, particularly those who may be vulnerable, from this virus. Taking part in testing is voluntary and you will still be able to attend College whether you take part in testing or not.
We would like you all to take part. Testing at home will allow everyone to attend college in as safe a way as possible.
You can view our COVID-19 Self-testing Privacy Statement here.
We encourage all students to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
By getting vaccinated, it can help to protect you, your family and friends and your local community. If you’re aged 16-17, you can get your first Covid-19 vaccine through some walk-in vaccination sites. Find out more here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/
As part of our safety measures, we’re encouraging all students, staff and visitors to:
The latest government advice and details on current restrictions can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
