Government confirms guidance for college reopening
The Department for Education has issued updated guidance for Further Education (FE) and skills providers, explaining the actions they should take to stay as safe as possible when students return to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The document, Further education coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance, includes public health advice, endorsed by Public Health England (PHE), and has been issued for sixth form colleges, general FE colleges, independent training providers, designated institutions, adult community learning providers, and special post-16 institutions.
Separate guidance is available for Apprenticeship providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Government advise that training providers, including beauty and hair colleges, should continue to judge the right balance between on-site and remote delivery for adult students in order to provide high quality education and training.
As well as recommending that face coverings should be worn by adults and students (except where exemptions apply) when moving around the premises, in corridors and communal areas and in classrooms or workshops where social distancing cannot easily be maintained, other mitigation measures advised include, but are not limited to:
- increasing the frequency of handwashing and surface cleaning
- keeping activity time involved as short as possible
- using screens or barriers to separate students from each other
- seating students side-by-side and facing forwards, rather than face-to-face or side on
- moving unnecessary furniture out of rooms to make more space
- avoiding large gatherings such as meetings with more than one group
- staggered break times and lunch times
- keeping occupied spaces well ventilated
The document also outlines the process of asymptomatic testing in colleges. Independent Training Providers (ITPs) and Adult Community Learning providers (ACLPs) will be able to access home testing from the end of March which, although remains voluntary, is strongly encouraged.
It also includes support on health and safety risk assessment.
Commercial training environments, such as hairdressing, barbering and beauty salons, must comply with relevant sector guidance on working safely during the pandemic and the current restriction guidance. This includes students practicing treatments on other students in college settings, and not members of the general public, until close contact services are permitted to resume.
