We hope that you have enjoyed the festive break and we look forward to welcoming you back to the College on Tuesday 4 January.
We continue to monitor government guidance regarding COVID 19 protocols. The main change to current guidance is the recommendation from the Department for Education for face coverings to be worn in classrooms, “…it is recommended that face coverings are worn in classrooms where pupils in year 7 and above are educated. The advice is short-term only, to support pupils and teachers as they return to school this term and builds on the existing proportionate guidance that recommends face coverings for all adults in communal areas of all settings. We are updating our guidance to reflect this. The advice on face coverings in classrooms will be in place until Wednesday 26 January, when Plan B regulations are currently scheduled to expire, at which point it will be reviewed.”
Therefore, from Tuesday 4 January, all students and staff will be asked to wear face coverings in classrooms, unless exempt.
Please also note the following points:
- Students and staff should take an LFD test before their return to the College and continue to do so twice weekly.
- Self-isolation for positive PCR tests is now seven days rather than 10, provided LFD tests taken on days six and seven return negative results.
- Close contacts of a positive case do not need to self-isolate if fully vaccinated and provided they take daily LFD tests with negative results.
- Booster vaccinations will now be offered to all 16-17 years olds, and to those aged 11-15 if they are clinically vulnerable or live with someone who is immunosuppressed.
- Attendance for all students is mandatory, there is no indication of a return to online learning.
- Exams and assessments are planned to go ahead as originally planned.
We will continue to follow government guidance and will update once again when current guidance is reviewed in a few weeks.