Coronavirus
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): GUIDANCE FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS
This is an evolving situation and individuals should check www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the most up-to-date advice and guidance.
Update: 24 March 2020 (12pm)
The Education Minister has now clarified that it is safest for children and young people to stay at home, and to be sent to school only if absolutely necessary. Central Bedfordshire College has been working with parents to support this initiative where possible.
At this moment in time and in line with this, Central Bedfordshire College will be closing all of its buildings from 9am on Wednesday 25 March, and all staff will be moving to remote working and all students will continue with online and remote learning.
If parents of vulnerable children at the College, or key workers with children at the College, have queries regarding access for their child, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Exams udpate: 23 March 2020 10am
For the current academic year, the government has taken the difficult decision to cancel all exams due to take place in schools and colleges in England this summer. This decision hasn’t been taken lightly, and we know our students will be disappointed as they have been working hard towards these exams.
To ensure students can progress to the next stage of their lives, including going onto university, further study or an apprenticeship this autumn, the Department for Education is working closely with the exam boards, and qualifications regulator Ofqual, to put in place alternative arrangements.
Ofqual is now working urgently with the exam boards to set out proposals for how this process will work, to ensure that the approach taken is as fair as possible.
Once we know what these proposals are, we will provide further updates on this page, and through social media.
Updated: 20 March 2020 (5pm)
In line with the updated advice from the government, we can confirm that Central Bedfordshire College and all its campuses will close to most students from Monday 23 March 2020 until further notice, with exception to vulnerable children and those children whose parents are key workers.
We have made all the necessary provisions to move teaching and learning online, which will commence from Monday. All of our plans will continue to prioritise enabling students to learn, succeed and progress as best they can, so they are able to complete their assessments and achieve the highest grades possible.
Students’ arrangements
All students, unless in a vulnerable category, need to have made all the necessary preparations to be able to study from home from Monday 23 March. Students:
- need to ensure that they can access learning materials via Moodle and able to access their emails to enable their tutors to communicate with them
- refer to the communications sent by text/email informing them of the arrangements and reminding them of the importance in engaging and maintaining good communication with the College
- await communication from their subject teachers
- must not attend the College unless by prior arrangement, which will include any necessary on-site practical assessments
- if entitled to free school meals, will be supported by payments
Vulnerable students
All designated vulnerable students are being communicated with directly, to ascertain whether they will be attending College or not, with further arrangements to be made if required.
If parents/carers deem their child to be in a vulnerable category as detailed by the government, please contact the College to obtain information on how we can support you. Call 01582 477776 or email your child’s tutor directly.
Key workers
All parents of 16-18 year olds - if you are a key worker as defined by the government, and require support from the College with your child, please contact us directly, on: 01582 477776.
Parents/Guardians
We have written to all parents and guardians advising them of the working arrangements from Monday 23rd March 2020, and provided guidelines on the ways in which they can support their child achieve and progress.
Applications, enquiries and interviews
The College will continue to take enquiries by telephone and email, and online applications.
We would also like to reassure students who have applied to us, or are considering applying, that we will continue to process your application in readiness to start with us this September. To secure your place, apply via our website and our Admissions team will be in touch with further details.
Interviews will continue to take place by telephone until further notice. All communications relating to interviews will be by email and/or a phonecall from the Admissions team.
We will also continue to work closely with our employer partners and apprentice employers to aim to limit disruption and provide them with as much support as possible.
For new or current student applications enquiries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For all apprenticeship enquiries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Due to an influx of enquiries, we may take a little longer to respond, so please bear with us.
Updated: 17 March 2020
The College remains open and all classes run as normal until further notice.
In response to additional measures announced on 16 March by the Prime Minister, Public Health England has released new guidance for those staying at home because they have symptoms of the virus or live with someone with symptoms.
- If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19) - a new persistant cough and/or a temperature, however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started. (See ending isolation for more information)
- If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members 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
- These actions will help protect others in your community while you are infectious
- Students: email your tutor as soon as possible, who in turn will advise you further on virtual learning arrangements. You will be expected to complete your work from home and maintain regular contact as agreed with your tutor
- Staff: email/phone your line manager as soon as possible. Please ensure you have provision to work from home and maintain regular contact with your line manager
Only 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
Staff and students who are unable to return after 7 days should follow the medical advice provided by NHS 111 online coronavirus service and notify your personal tutor or line manager.
March Open Event cancelled
The safety of our visitors, staff and students is our number one priority and with the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, we have taken the decision to cancel our 19 March Open Event.
Online applications remain open
Our online applications remain open and as always, we encourage you to apply early to secure a place on your chosen course for September.
Telephone interviews
To minimise face-to-face contact, the College will be moving towards telephone interviews until further notice. If you are due or awaiting an interview, full details will be sent via email and available to view on your application portal and/or a phonecall from the Admissions team.
Enquiries
For open event specific enquiries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For new or current student applications enquiries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For all apprenticeship enquiries, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Due to an influx of enquiries, we may take a little longer to respond, so please bear with us.
