Information for Staff
This page has been set up to provide information for staff with questions or concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19). It will be updated as necessary.
College Risk Assessment - Dec 2021
Privacy Notice - Staff and Student Home Testing
Step by step guide for COVID-19 self-testing (alternative versions of this guide including large text and other languages can be found on the gov.uk website)
Will the College be COVID-19 secure?
We have implemented a range of preventive measures and controls to ensure we that are COVID secure and it is important that you continue to follow the measures that have been put in place at all College buildings. These include:
Building Bubbles - Minimising contact and mixing between individuals and groups during the autumn term meant our ability to control and contain the transmission of Coronavirus was good, and our self isolation levels were low.
Therefore, we will be maintaining our building by building approach to bubbles and will continue to limit your movement between them where possible. We are fortunate that our campuses are made up of many separate self-contained buildings which has helped us to control the spread of any infection. As previously students should not need to enter any other buildings during the same day. We will also be staggering lesson start and finish times as well as break times to avoid larger groups gathering together. Our one-way systems around the buildings will remain in place.
Classroom adaptations - Please remember to dress appropriately as even in the cold weather, workshops and classrooms will be well ventilated, doors and windows will be kept open
Protective screening - Plexiglass protective screening for high footfall areas including cafeterias, learning centres and receptions will remain in place for the time being.
Hand sanitizing - Highly visible hand sanitiser stations are in place in key areas. Please remember to wash and clean your hands thoroughly, and more often than usual.
Cleaning Schedule - The College will continue to have an enhanced cleaning routine in place to include increased cleaning of touch points such as doors, push plates and handrails. In addition, areas will be fogged.
Social distancing - The College will continue to support our clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) students.
To keep each other safe at HoW College alongside the considerations outlined above regarding face coverings, we ask that everyone is mindful of others particularly CEV students, so although social distancing measures in the workplace have now ended, we will continue to encourage you to maintain distancing where possible.
If you have any questions regarding our COVID secure prevention measures please email the College on StudentCOV19enquiries@howcollege.ac.uk
One way systems - We are removing the majority of our one-way systems. You will find that some will remain in place in busier areas like the main reception areas, this helps us to maintain some social distancing and avoid congestion.
Face coverings - From 4 January it is now recommended that face coverings should be worn by students when moving around the premises, in corridors and communal areas and IN CLASSROOMS or WORKSHOPS. This requirement does not apply in situations where wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity, for example during sports lessons and physical activity.
Face coverings should also continue to be worn on the intercampus bus, College minibuses and in our cafeterias. Face coverings do not need to be worn by students when outdoors on the premises.
The recommendation to wear face coverings in classrooms and other teaching areas such as workshops has been introduced for a limited time, and as with all measures, we will keep you updated with any future changes as they are introduced or removed.
Face coverings protect the wearer and others against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of COVID-19. Face visors or shields can be worn by those exempt from wearing a face covering but they are not an equivalent alternative in terms of source control of virus transmission. (They may protect the wearer against droplet spread in specific circumstances but are unlikely to be effective in preventing the escape of smaller respiratory particles when used without an additional face covering.) The College has limited supplies of disposable face coverings on College receptions that are available to students who have forgotten to bring their own with them.
Please do remember that there are circumstances where people are not able to wear a face covering, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others. We would ask you to continue to be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Students who are exempt from wearing face coverings are asked to display a College exemption lanyard at all times.
Safe wearing and removing of face coverings is important. Safe wearing of face coverings requires the:
• cleaning of hands before and after touching, including to remove or put them on
• safe storage of them in individual, sealable plastic bags between use
Anyone wearing a face covering must:
• Not touch the front of their face covering during use or when removing it
• Dispose of temporary face coverings in a ‘black bag’ waste bin or appropriate recycling bin
• Place reusable face coverings in a plastic bag that can be taken home
• Wash their hands once a face covering is removed.
Face coverings should also be worn when travelling on public transport or dedicated transport to these settings, this includes the intercampus bus service. Face coverings must be worn on public transport. This does not apply to those who are exempt.
Exemption from wearing a face covering
Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings and we expect staff and students to be sensitive to those needs. We have specific lanyards available for learners with exemptions who may want one. Staff who are exempt from wearing face coverings are asked to display a College exemption lanyard at all times. Any staff who would like a lanyard should ask a member of staff to request one on their behalf via the Student Covid19 Exemption mailbox.
Lateral Flow Testing - Further Education and Higher Education students, should take one self test at home either in the evening or the morning before they return in January, then continue to test twice weekly at home. LFD tests are available from our receptions for all students.
Vaccination and Boosters - Vaccines are our best weapon against this virus and our booster programme has accelerated rapidly, with almost 30 million doses of boosters or third doses administered, and more than half of adults jabbed, securing vital protection. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of infection, helps break chains of transmission and is safe and effective – so we encourage all those eligible to consider taking up the offer.
Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
For a full detailed guide please click here
Do you require students and staff to wear masks?
From 4 January it is now recommended that face coverings should be worn by students when moving around the premises, in corridors and communal areas and IN CLASSROOMS or WORKSHOPS. This requirement does not apply in situations where wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity, for example during sports lessons and physical activity.
Face coverings should also continue to be worn on the intercampus bus, College minibuses and in our cafeterias. Face coverings do not need to be worn by students when outdoors on the premises.
The recommendation to wear face coverings in classrooms and other teaching areas such as workshops has been introduced for a limited time, and as with all measures, we will keep you updated with any future changes as they are introduced or removed.
Face coverings protect the wearer and others against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of COVID-19. Face visors or shields can be worn by those exempt from wearing a face covering but they are not an equivalent alternative in terms of source control of virus transmission. (They may protect the wearer against droplet spread in specific circumstances but are unlikely to be effective in preventing the escape of smaller respiratory particles when used without an additional face covering.) The College has limited supplies of disposable face coverings on College receptions that are available to students who have forgotten to bring their own with them.
Please do remember that there are circumstances where people are not able to wear a face covering, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others. We would ask you to continue to be mindful and respectful of such circumstances. Staff who are exempt from wearing face coverings are asked to display a College exemption lanyard at all times.
I use the public transport / College buses to reach College, what do I do?
We are currently running our inter-campus bus service between Bromsgrove and Redditch campuses, but please note that social distancing arrangements will always be in place which means not as many people will be allowed on the bus. Please note that face coverings must also be worn at all times on our intercampus bus service between Redditch and Bromsgrove campus. Students using face coverings should ensure these are appropriately worn, cleaned, stored or disposed of correctly. Bins will be provided in College.
To avoid busy periods please make use of the earlier bus options as an alternative to waiting too long. Seats may be marked as not in use to keep to social distancing rules.
Will the College cafes be open?
College cafeterias will be open in Peakman, All Saints’, St Dunstan’s, St Andrew’s, Bromsgrove, and at the Duckworth Centre of Engineering, offering a take-away service between 8.30am and 2.00pm. All customers will be expected to wear a face covering whilst in the cafeteria area.
You should use the cafeteria that is located closest to your study area and should not move between buildings simply to use a different cafe. You will be allowed to eat and drink in your allocated classroom during breaktimes because we are only providing a take-away service. We would also encourage you to use contactless payment wherever possible, although we will still accept cash at all sites if needed.
Students and staff, who are purchasing items from the cafeterias, are encouraged to use contactless payment. However, we will still accept cash at all sites if needed.
How do I know if I have got the virus?
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.
Use the 111 online coronavirus service if you have any of:
- high temperature
- new, continuous cough
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
111 will tell you what to do and help you get a test if you need one. Use the 111 online coronavirus service
What is the isolation period?
The 10 day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances, unless you cannot test for any reason.
Individuals may now take LFD tests on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period. Those who receive two negative test results are no longer required to complete 10 full days of self-isolation. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. This also applies to children under 5, with LFD testing at parental or guardian discretion. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to your education setting from day 8.
Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests will need to complete the full 10 day period of self-isolation. Further information is available in the here. Staff and students should follow our standard absence reporting procedures. Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
your condition gets worse
your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
What if there is a confirmed case of coronavirus at the College?
Rest assured that a strict protocol is in place for a confirmed case. We have a duty to work closely with the local Health Protection Team under Public Health England where a collaborative risk assessment will be undertaken which will inform all necessary actions.
What can I do to help reduce the spread of this virus?
Just like the common cold, the Coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person who has the infection or by touching contaminated surfaces if you do not wash your hands correctly. There are some simple things that you can do to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and look after yourself and those around you. Here are some guidelines to help you:
Frequently clean hands by using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. You can see the correct way to clean your hands by clicking HERE.
Viruses love warm, moist environments so avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
When coughing and sneezing cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands. ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.
Further advice and guidance can be accessed using the following links:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019:
Where can I find the latest information about coronavirus?
The situation is evolving rapidly. Staff and students are asked to continue to visit and regularly check the following websites for the latest updates and guidance:
Further information
We have a number of dedicated pages with further information in the following areas:
Information for Staff
Advice from Public Health England
Testing Information
Safety Measures and walk-throughs
I still have questions, not answered here – what should I do?
We understand that you may have more questions so we ask you to please contact us on this email and we will be back in touch as soon as possible to respond to your questions. Studentcov19enquiries@howcollege.ac.uk
