Important News - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Following the Government’s announcement that all Colleges and Schools should close at the end of lessons on Friday 20th March until further notice, we will be sharing information and updates as often as possible. Our learners remain at the centre of all our efforts to minimise the impact of these unprecedented times.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Reporting – 07500 050 599
Staff and students should use this number to report a positive COVID-19 test result.
Call or text 07500 050 599 and include:
- Full name
- Date of Birth
- For staff – your Department, for students – your Course
- Date of test and date symptoms began
A member of the Health and Safety team will follow up your call to determine direct contacts or further action required. Where possible, please also forward the NHS text notification of your result.
Latest Updates
FACE COVERING UPDATE (14/05/2021)
From Monday 17th May 2021, SMB College Group will continue to require the wearing of face coverings in all communal/public areas, but will no longer require them to be worn inside the classroom (except when required for industry guidelines, such as in hospitality and catering and close contact services). Face coverings will still be required on public transport, including college minibuses. Students may choose to continue wearing face coverings in class if that is their personal preference.
GCSE ENGLISH & MATHS ASSESSMENTS (26/04/21)
As you may be aware, GCSE exams will not be taking place this summer. Instead, students will be awarded a College Assessed Grade. Results will be released on August 12th 2021. In the next few weeks, students will be taking a series of assessments during their GCSE English and Maths lessons. These will be used to make decisions about their final grades. It is therefore essential that students attend all of their classes. If the student has a genuine reason for not being able to sit an assessment, there will usually be opportunities to arrange another time with your lecturer.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL STUDENTS (26/02/21)
The College is delighted to be welcoming you back on campus to continue your studies from March 8th and your lecturer/progress coach will be releasing information on revised timetables between the 8th March and Easter – as you can imagine things will be a little different for a while as we phase the return of all of our learners. These will go out via Teams and your college email address and should be with you by next Thursday lunchtime at the latest. Normal timetables will be re-introduced after Easter.
The most important thing you need to know is that the Government has asked us to make sure that all students are offered Lateral flow Tests.
Testing plays a vital role in the community to help identify asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 which would otherwise go unnoticed. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. Identifying these cases helps break the chain of transmission and reduces the infection rate in the local area, provides reassurance to staff and students and helps us all to get on with our day to day activities, while continuing to follow all control measures in place. As all students and staff return, we need to test all students from their first day back on campus and then a further two times within our on campus testing station, followed by twice weekly testing via home test kits throughout the term. These home test kits will be given to you once you return to College.
Testing is voluntary but you are strongly encouraged to take a test to protect yourself, your family and your fellow students. If you have any concerns or questions, speak to your course tutor who will put you in touch with the SMB Group Health and Safety Team who are managing the testing process
We’ve set up testing stations on all of our campuses and will be asking students to visit in your tutor groups to take a COVID test. You don’t need to worry about making an appointment – we will organise classes to go together to the testing point.
These documents explain a bit more about testing and about how your personal data is stored – please take the time to read them:
Testing – Students Returning to Campus
SMB Group – Student Privacy Notice
SMB Group – Student Consent Form
We want to make sure that our campuses are safe and that you feel confident to return to your studies and so we’re working hard to make sure that the one way systems in the building are clearly marked and that there are plenty of hand sanitiser stations throughout the buildings. Don’t forget you’ll need to wear your mask at all times whilst inside the college buildings. This change in practice is initially until Easter and includes classrooms inside (please contact student services if you have a medical exemption).
Thank you for your support – working together we can ensure a safe campus for everyone.
COVID 19 Risk Assessment – SMB GROUP
UPDATE FOR STAFF (18/03/21): DFE Toolkit now available – Click here to access the toolkit
Volunteer opportunities at your local college to help stop the spread of COVID-19
SMB Group Covid-19 Student Induction Guidance
Remobilisation COVID 19 Risk Assessment – SMB GROUP
SMB Group Remote Learning Policy
Message From Principal 12 May 2020
Safeguarding Support for Learners, Parents and Carers
Students
Parents
Employers
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand in these unprecedented times you may have some questions and, in order to help you, we have put together a selection of Frequently Asked Questions for our current students, applicants and employers.
16-19 Study Programme Students – Current & Applicants
Apprentices and Employers – Current & Applicants
Higher Education – Current & Applicants
The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and students can contact the helpline by telephone and email:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
The helpline is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The government will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and take further action as needed. You can find the latest information and advice on COVID-19 and the latest guidance for educational settings on the GOV.UK website.
We recognise that these are unusual times and we are here to support you. You can contact us in a number of ways:
- Direct Message us on social media
- Email marketing@stephensoncoll.ac.uk
- Request a callback using our enquiry form