Update: National Lockdown from 5 January 2021
Online courses starting January onwards are available to enrol via our website.
Following the latest government announcement that we are again in a national lockdown, anticipating that we would not be able to return to our community learning venues, we had planned for most of our classes to be online. Where disruption to learning should be avoided due to learners being classed as vulnerable or being ‘High Needs’ we have returned to safe, COVID-19 secure learning. Find local COVID-19 updated information at Information on coronavirus – City of York Council.
All fee-paying classes which have moved online have been discounted against our normal pricing to exclude the premises charges we would normally pay.
Please email York.learning@york.gov.uk with any queries.
Our priority is to keep you all safe whilst also protecting the health of our staff and the local community.
During this period:
Initial Assessments
If your course requires you complete an initial assessment, this will be conducted via Zoom. You will be advised of the zoom codes and passwords via email. You may receive a telephone call in the first instance to check eligibility for the course and that you have a suitable device and the software in order to be able to complete the assessment. In most cases the assessment will be conducted on a one-to-one basis and will be followed by a discussion regarding the most suitable course for you to join. There will be ample opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.
Inductions
After enrolling on a course, all learners are required to complete an online induction. This induction includes useful information about your course and how we might be able to support you, what we expect from you and information about our shared responsibility in relation to Safeguarding , Prevent and Health & Safety.
End of Course Assessments/Examinations
We are currently working with Awarding Organisations to understand the next steps in relation to exams and will follow their guidance.
If a physical exam is required, this will be conducted in a COVID secure manner. In other cases, end of course assessments or exams may be carried out remotely or grades awarded via tutor assessment and predicted grades.
We understand that you may be disappointed by not being able to sit your exams as planned, however, please be assured that none of your hard work will be wasted and you will not be disadvantaged by not sitting them.
There may be a few smaller practical or apprenticeships exams and assessments that can continue safely some areas and we will advise those learners and apprentices accordingly.
Attendance
Support with Resources and Technology
Online Learning
Online Safety
In order to stay safe during remote learning, learners are advised to:
Lots more information about protecting yourself online can be found at www.getsafeonline.org.uk
How to get the most out of online learning
Remaining safe in the Centres
If you are required to attend one of our COVID-19-secure Centres, please ensure that you take responsibility for your safety and the safety of others. We continue to undertake several steps to ensure your safety including:-
Wearing of Face Coverings
It is now council policy for everyone to wear face mask inside our premises. Once a learner is sat down, they are allowed to take their mask off for their lesson but must put it back on when standing and moving around the premises. This is an additional safety measure to protect us all whilst learning, and we ask that everyone shows support for each other and engages with this measure. Although we are sure you are all well versed in mask wearing by now, here is a quick reminder from the World Health Organisation (WHO) who have produced a short, informative video demonstrating the safe wearing of a facemask.
Exemptions to face coverings:
Some people will be exempt from wearing face coverings and we encourage you to be sympathetic of this.
Generally, this applies to those who:
Public Transport
COVID-19 Symptoms
If you are showing signs of COVID-19 (either a temperature, new cough or a loss of smell or taste), you must not come into the Centre and inform your tutor immediately. You must book a test as soon as possible (guidance at Information on coronavirus – City of York Council) and remain at home until your results come back. If someone in your household is showing symptoms or has a positive test result, you must not come into the Centre. You must inform your tutor and self-isolate for 14 days. If you are self-isolating due to someone in your household showing symptoms, you should continue your studies remotely. Contact your tutor for support.
Classroom delivery and Covid-19 prevention
We have followed Government and Department of Education guidance to ensure our venues which are open adhere to COVID-19 secure guidance. We have conducted thorough risk assessments at every stage of the pandemic and have recently been assessed as Safe by City of York Council.
NHS Covid-19 app
The NHS Covid-19 app is live across England and it’s ready to download onto your phone from the Apple or Android app store. It is a way to see if you’re at risk from the virus. If you have been in a venue where there has been a confirmed COVID case, even though you may not have any symptoms, you may be carrying the virus and spreading it to the people you care most about. The app can alert you so that you can act quickly to protect your loved ones. As well as making it simple to check into venues through an in-built QR code scanner, the NHS Test and Trace app also has several other useful tools including contact tracing, searchable risk alerts by postcode, a symptom checker and test booking. It is a legal requirement for businesses and venues across York to display the new NHS Test and Trace QR code on special posters at the entrance to their premises.
Rule of Six
As an adult education provider, our courses are exempt from the ‘rule of six’ that came into effect on Monday 14 September 2020. All our classrooms have already been assessed to hold a maximum capacity of learners based on its size, and as we offer part-time learning provision and our learners are not together in social bubbles for majority of the week, we have maintained a two-metre social distance for all staff and learners for maximum safety. As a result of this continual action all our class sizes are already small.
For more information about what you can and can’t do, visit this government FAQ page.
Please see below a few things to be aware of:
As this is a changing situation, there may be future amendments, please check our website for any updates. If you develop any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, please keep yourself and others safe and stay at home. Local guidance for testing etc. is at Information on coronavirus – City of York Council
Please see the information and Government advice below.
Information and advice – resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest information and advice
Public Health Matters
Public Health England
NHS
Find out how to protect yourself or find out if you need medical help at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-Covid-19/
If you are unsure you can seek further advice from the Department for Education’s dedicated helpline on 0800 046 8687 or Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk