10th December 2021
Update COVID: Advice to all students 10/12/2021
Dear students, parents and carers
I last emailed you on Friday 03/12/2021 with all the current Covid information and updates. This link will take you to the Covid-19 section of the college website where you will find all the information and resources you need from the College.
On Wednesday 8th December 2021, the Prime Minister announced the implementation of Plan B of the COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan, to reduce pressure on the NHS. Plan B sets out a number of additional measures across society to control transmission of COVID-19.
The Government is clear on the critical importance of not disrupting the education of children and young people and the Government will prioritise keeping all education and childcare settings open. Enabling children and young people to attend their education setting regularly continues to be a national priority.
The Government expect all education and childcare settings, including further and higher education providers, to continue to provide face-to-face teaching, and staff will continue to attend College if required in order to deliver this. The Government have advised that Teaching and learning should not be moved online as a result of the work from home guidance.
Please see below the current and most important information.
- Face coverings
- Covid vaccination
- Covid testing – students
- Covid Testing – parents, guardians and other visitors
- Isolation
- Christmas testing and return to College in January 2022
- Those formerly considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable
- Reporting COVID-19 Cases: Latest data
Face Coverings
From Monday 13th December 2021, face coverings must be worn by students, staff and visitors when moving around the College, outside of classrooms or indoor teaching areas, such as in corridors and communal areas unless they are exempt. Students must also wear a face covering when travelling on public transport.
Students and staff do not have to wear face coverings in classrooms, workshops and other teaching spaces or when sat down in our cafes and restaurants.
Covid vaccination
All eligible staff and students aged 12 and over are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters.
Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19. They help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on.
To book a vaccination, please visit: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Covid testing – students
Students are asked to conduct home testing on a Wednesday and Sunday evening after 6pm. Tutors will ensure that students have a constant supply of home testing kits. Test kits can also be collected by students from the ‘Student Space’ in The Street.
Please note students should share their home test results with NHS Test & Trace as soon as they have undertaken their home test. Students must also share their results with the College via the Covid test results form, as soon as possible after a test so the College can monitor any localised ‘outbreaks’. The College will be reviewing who completes this form, as well as the results, and keeping Public Health England informed of the numbers of students conducting home tests. The SDC COVID results reporting form is now even quicker and easier for students to report their results.
We will continue to constantly review our approach, following the latest government guidance and will adapt what we do accordingly. Please do whatever you can to keep everyone safe.
Covid Testing – parents, guardians and other visitors
Please note that staff will now be encouraging parents, guardians and other visitors to take a lateral flow device (LFD) test before entering the College.
Isolation
All individuals who have been identified as a close contact of a suspected or confirmed case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, irrespective of vaccination status and age, will continue to be required to self-isolate and asked to book a PCR test.
Christmas testing and return to College in January 2022
All students and staff are encouraged to continue with their home testing routine of twice a week during the Christmas holiday period, particularly in light of the new variant and the increased mixing with friends and family. All students and staff must take one self-test at home either the evening or morning before they return to College in January. Home test kits for students and staff to use over the Christmas break will be available for collection from the Student Space in The Street, and Level 1 and 3 Receptions from Monday 13th December 2021.
Those formerly considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable
Following expert clinical advice and the successful rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine programme, people previously considered to be particularly vulnerable, clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV), and high or higher-risk are not being advised to shield again. Young people who were previously identified as being in one of these groups, are advised to continue to follow the guidance contained in Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread. Young people previously considered CEV should attend their setting and should follow the same guidance as the rest of the population.
Reported COVID-19 Cases: Latest Data
The table below gives the most up-to-date picture of COVID-19 infections at South Devon College in allareas.
| Weekly cases: (Total confirmed positive cases reported in the last week) | 28 |
| Total cases: (A running total of positive/presumed positive cases reported to the College by students and staff since the first case was reported on Wednesday 7th October 2020) | 396 |
Thank you for your continued positive support.
Kindest regards
Laurence Frewin
Principal and CEO
South Devon College
