A message from the principal

Following the Prime Minister’s recent announcement that students will return to colleges, we really look forward to welcoming most of you back for a phased return from Monday 8 March. 

Although all students have been working incredibly hard, either in college or from home, we’re pleased that we can start to invite everyone back to college in line with our phased approach and plans for testing. 

Why is it important to come into college?

As many of you have been remote learning for some time, returning to campus is really important for your wellbeing. You’ll be able to spend time with your peers, join in with college activities and access face-to-face support from tutors, college counsellors or the Safeguarding team. 

Your wellbeing and safety are key priorities for us. If you’re worried about your mental health and wellbeing, you can come to the Leeds City College Students’ Union drop-in sessions, run by our wellbeing mentor, Catherine Tranter. If you’d like to find out more about accessing this support complete our referral form.

What safety measures will be in place?

We want you to feel safe at college, so we’ve implemented many safety measures to help this happen. 

Our safety measures include:

• Testing for staff and students (as described above)
• The continuation of 2m social distancing measures
• Wearing face coverings in all areas of the college (including classrooms), unless you are medically exempt 
• The ‘bubble’ grouping system
• Increased hand sanitiser stations on campus

The government lockdown guidance states that you must stay at home and only leave your house when necessary, such as for basic necessities, exercise, work (where you cannot work from home), meeting your support bubble or to seek medical assistance or avoid injury. 

Testing

We have been following government and Public Health England guidance on our Covid-19 safety measures. College Covid-19 Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are another measure that help in creating an even safer environment.

College testing

On returning to college, you will be expected to take three Covid-19 tests on campus, which will help to identify anyone who may be infectious.  These tests in college will happen three to five days apart.

Anyone who has taken their first test will need a negative result before coming into the classroom. After your second and third test, you can return to lessons while you wait for your results. 

Home testing 

After your three tests at college, you will be expected to take tests at home twice per week. 

Results

You will receive your test result on your phone or by email. If this is negative, you will be told when to begin your timetabled sessions. 

If positive, you must not return to college. You must self-isolate and book a test through the NHS website.

Before getting tested, you will need to complete a consent form with your tutors. You can find the NHS’ helpful guide to testing here.

There will be a different approach to testing and returning to learning for higher education students and apprentices. If this applies to you, please get in touch with your tutor for more information.

We’ve created this video to show you how to take your lateral flow test at college.

Questions?

We’d like to thank everyone for their hard work and determination during such a challenging time. We’re really looking forward to welcoming you back into college next month and hope to return to normality soon. 

If you have any questions about attending college, please get in touch by calling 0113 386 1997 or email contact@leedscitycollege.ac.uk. You can also take a look at our student FAQs here.

Bill Jones

Deputy CEO and Principal at Leeds City College