Coronavirus: advice and guidance

College updates for staff, students and visitors

Our main campuses at East Ham and Stratford are open, and are offering the full complement of courses through a mixture of classroom lessons and remote learning where appropriate. All of our college community venues have also reopened with the exception of North Woolwich Learning Zone, subject to agreement with our local authority partner, Newham Council.

In accordance with government guidelines, the College has planned a full return to study in place for students based on social distancing while in college and via “curriculum bubbles”.

The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff are of the utmost importance. The College will continue to closely monitor the coronavirus situation and will refine its approach in response to the latest developments and any change in advice from the government and Public Health England.

For students, there is a regularly updated guidance procedure which students should adhere to. This guidance remains in place until the government requirement for social distancing is removed.

The College maintains an up-to-date risk assessment of its premises to ensure students, staff and visitors can feel safe and maintain social distancing.

Latest developments

As of 22 September, we have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the College. The affected persons have been identified and students and staff who have had close contact with these individuals have been informed and been asked to self-isolate for 10 days.

We understand that you will find this situation concerning but the College is working closely with Public Health England to minimise any further risk and we have stringently followed government guidelines as outlined in the latest risk assessment.

All College sites remain open and students should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

Advice about what to do in the event you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are outlined below.

I've developed symptoms of COVID-19

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 – go to testing to arrange. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

If you are not experiencing symptoms but have tested positive for COVID-19, self-isolate for at least 10 days, starting from the day the test was taken. If you develop symptoms during this isolation period, restart your 10-day isolation from the day you developed symptoms.

From 28 September, you could be fined if you do not stay at home and self-isolate following a positive test result for COVID-19 or if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and instructed to self-isolate.

After 10 days, if you still have a temperature you should continue to self-isolate and seek medical advice. You do not need to self-isolate after 10 days if you only have a cough or loss of sense of smell or taste, as these symptoms can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

In the event that you need to self-isolate or have received a positive test for COVID-19, you must inform your teacher so that we can take appropriate action to inform staff and students, deep clean areas where necessary and put arrangements in place for you to be taught remotely while you're quarantined.

For further information, check Public Health England’s staying at home guidance.

Course delivery

We will use a range of face to face and online tools to deliver our sessions and to engage with our learners.

Will I have to access to face to face lessons?

Yes, we aim to continue to deliver our face-to-face lessons as much as possible. The College will endeavour to offer a full teaching programme while maintaining COVID-19 precautions in line with the latest guidelines. This means, at the moment we will have staggered times across the day and week. If you are an adult, this means you will usually only attend during a morning, afternoon or an evening, not a full day.

If you are aged 16-19, we will offer you a full study programme of vocational studies, English and Maths group tutorial, work related/work experience and enrichment activities planned across the day and week.

What does this mean for me?

The majority of learners will be in college between 60% to 100% of the time with the remainder of sessions delivered online to maintain social distancing. We will prioritise vocational workshop and practical skills development when you are in college. Online or blended learning will support you via ‘live’ webcasts from your teacher and online tasks and assessments.

What will my timetable look like?

Individual curriculum areas will have different start and end times. You will be given all the information once you are enrolled.

If you studying on entry level or Level 1 programmes you should expect 75% to 100% time in college
If you are studying on Level 2 programmes you should expect 60% to 90% of your time to be in college
If you are studying on Level 3 or about 50% of your programme may be blended learning

However, each course is different so you may get more time.

Will I need electronic devices and internet connectivity?

Yes. In light of the current virtual teaching and learning requirements, a proportion of study will require you to have an electronic devices such as mobile phone, and internet to use the college’s communication tools for demonstrations, lectures, assessments, and more.

Timed entry into college

Different curriculum areas will have different time slots for entry to the college sites. You should attend in the timed window at the time advised at enrolment to enable social distanced “curriculum bubbles” to be in place across the week. On arrival, you should go directly to your allocated classroom on the timetable. Queuing systems will in place outside the college to maintain social distancing in foyers and entrances for start times.

Stratford

Engineering and Construction students to start between 8.45 am-9.15 am
Access to Higher Education students to start between 9.15 am-9.30 am
Young ESOL (16-18) students to start between 9.15 am-9.30 am
Adult ESOL students from 9.30 am onwards.
Digital Technology students to start between 9.00 am-9.15 am

East Ham

Business, Sports, Health & Social Care, Hair & Beauty, Travel & Tourism and Digital Technology students start between 8.45 am-9.30 am.
All 14-18 Foundation students start from 8.45 am-9.15 am.
All High Needs students start from 9.45 am
Adult ESOL start from 9.30 am onwards

Both campuses

Part-time afternoon classes start from 12.30 pm-12.45 pm entry at both Stratford and East Ham.
Evening classes will remain the same across all campuses starting at 6 pm.

Safety on campus

We’ll have the same range of activities as before which may be online or socially distanced. Guest speakers, extra enrichment and sports activities will all be available under safe precautions. There will be a one-way system in place for moving around the college safely.

While on college premises

Wear your ID badge at all times so that you can be identified as a student enrolled at the College
Upon arrival on site, students are requested to follow the signage and attend the designated room
Comply with social distancing rules and stay 1 metre plus apart from any person
All students are required, upon arrival on site, to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, then
wash hands regularly or use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water not available
Use tissues if needed – “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”
Bring bottled water from home
Toilets for use in appropriate areas will be clearly signposted. Students are required to adhere to the signage
Only bring equipment that is needed with you to college, and do not share this equipment with others
Ensure that you keep a safe distance while in classroom or workshop space
Follow the one-way system on the stairs and all floor markings around the college
Follow all instructions given by staff, failure to do so will lead to disciplinary actions

What facilities are open?

College Learning Resource Centres will be open for booked timed appointments to support your self-study
Canteen facilities will be timed entry to maintain social distance
College cafes remain closed for now
College gyms also remain closed

How should I travel to college?

If at all possible do not use public transport – travel on foot, by bike.

What about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

The Government advise on PPE at present is that it is not necessary, but we will monitor this and keep you updated on any changes. You are advised to wear a face covering while in communal areas in the college – but this is not required or expected when in your allocated classroom.