7th January 2022

Update Covid-19: Advice to all students, parents and carers 07/01/2022

Dear students, parents and carers   

Welcome back for the start of the new Spring Term. I last emailed you on Monday 03/01/2022 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. 

Please see below for the current and most important information.   

1. LFD testing
2. Confirmatory PCR tests to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results
3. Self-isolation periods
4. Close contacts of a positive Covid case
5. Those previously considered clinically vulnerable
6. Provision of remote learning for students unable to be on-site for COVID-19 related reasons
7. January examinations
8. Face Coverings
9. Reporting COVID-19 Cases: Latest data 

1. LFD Testing  

Students should please keep testing every Wednesday and Sunday evening after 6pm. Test kits can be collected from the either Level 1 or Level 3 Receptions at any time.   

Students must also share their results with the College via the Covid test results form, as soon as possible after a test, so that if positive, the College can monitor any localised ‘outbreaks’. The SDC COVID results reporting form is quick and easy to complete and should take less than a minute.    

Links are also easily available on SDConnect and the College website. 

Even if someone has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, they are strongly encouraged to take part in LFD testing. 

2. Confirmatory PCR tests to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results 

Confirmatory PCR tests following a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result are to be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January 2022. This will mean that anyone who receives a positive LFD test result will be required to self-isolate immediately and will not be required to take a confirmatory PCR test. 

3. Self Isolation Periods 

The self-isolation period for people who record a positive 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 
• 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. 

4. Close contacts of a positive COVID case 

People who are fully vaccinated, or children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years and 6 months, identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, should take an LFD test every day for seven days and continue to attend College as normal, unless they have a positive test result or develop symptoms at any time. 

5. Those previously considered clinically vulnerable 

Students previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) and high or higher-risk are not being advised by the Government to shield. 

6. Provision of remote learning for students unable to be on-site for COVID-19 related reasons 

For students unable to attend on-site for COVID-19 related reasons, for example, because they need to self-isolate, teaching staff are being asked wherever possible to provide remote education to minimise disruption to their learning. 

While students are unable to attend on-site, teaching staff will use their best endeavours to deliver as much of students’ planned hours as possible and meet the expectations concerning participation, live teaching, feedback, assessment, attendance and engagement. 

7. January Examinations 

Examinations and assessments in January will go ahead as originally planned. Following the temporary reintroduction of face coverings in classrooms, the public health guidance to support exams was updated on Sunday 2 January. This guidance sets out that the Department for Education would not ordinarily expect candidates and invigilators to wear face coverings during exams and assessments, but only on arrival and departure. Both candidates and invigilators may wear face coverings if they wish to do so. This guidance is also applicable for mock exams and other assessments taking place under exam conditions or similar. 

8. Face Coverings in January 

The wearing of face coverings in communal areas of College for students, staff and visitors will carry on in January 2022. 

From Sunday 2 January, face coverings are also to be worn in classrooms and workshops (all teaching areas). This 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 or where an individual has a valid exemption. 

Teachers are not expected to wear a face covering whilst teaching students if they are at the front of the class. This will be kept under review. 

9. 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 all areas.      

Weekly cases: 60 (Total confirmed positive cases reported between 17/12/2021 – 07/01/2022 – this includes the Christmas break)

Total cases: 470 (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)

Thank you for your continued support and commitment. 

Kindest regards   

Laurence Frewin    
Principal and CEO    
South Devon College