COVID 19 Safety Handbook - Etc. Group

S T U D Y AT STOCK TON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE

OUT F I N D T TH E U ABO RES WE O U T S MEA N PL ACE E F I A E HAV P YOU S DY K E E O U ST U AS Y ITH US W

A WELCOME FROM OUR PRINCIPAL Lesley Graham, Principal of Stockton Riverside College “Keeping all our students safe is always my top priority, particularly during the current pandemic. We are working in line with the latest government guidelines and in many cases, we’re working over and above this, particularly in respect of our more vulnerable students. As government guidance continues to change we regularly update our plans to ensure the College is as COVID-19 safe as it possibly can be. Our message to students is that it’s ‘learning as normal’ during this time, which might be face-to-face, online, or a combination of both depending on the needs of our students – we ensure that their learning is disrupted as little as possible. These are challenging times, and the changing nature of the situation is no longer a surprise, more an

obstacle that we must adapt to and navigate.”

STUDY SAFE, STUDY LOCAL The safety of our students, staff and local community is our priority, and Stockton Riverside College is proud to provide a COVID-19 secure environment across all our sites.

We have implemented a number of safety measures around our campuses to ensure we reduce, as far as possible, the risk of COVID-19.

These measures include (but are not limited to): • Mask-wearing is compulsory around shared communal areas for everybody including staff and students • Sanitisation stations at entry points and around the buildings • Increased cleaning schedules throughout buildings • Step and pull door features added to toilet doors to reduce the touching of handles • One-way systems put in place where appropriate • Increased signage throughout campuses to serve as reminders for social distancing, hand washing, and sanitisation • COVID-19 induction briefings for all new students starting with us • Designated entry and exit routes where possible • Social distancing measures put in place

SAFE LEARNING We are proud to have continued delivery of teaching across our site with only minor interruptions. In our classrooms and learning spaces we have put social distancing and other safety measures in place, for instance: extra space has been made between student workstations, and plastic screens have been fitted where appropriate; classroom layouts have been adapted to provide more space; and additional leaning rotas have been put in place throughout our buildings.

REMOTE DELIVERY We understand that during these unprecedented times students and staff may need to work from home due to self-isolation or local/national restrictions. We have put in place a series of measures and procedures to ensure that we have the technology in place to enable this with minimal disruption to learning.

Some of the things we’ve introduced include: live streaming on-site lessons so students working from home can access and check in with their tutors in real time; providing teaching session recordings; teachers delivering lessons via MS Teams, and implementing new portals to maintain student-staff communication, and for monitoring of progress and work.

IT EQUIPMENT For those students who may need IT or other equipment to use when learning from home, we have a selection of laptops, iPads, and other items available to loan. Stockton Riverside College has also worked with a major provider to give learners the opportunity to purchase their own equipment in more affordable ways.

For more details please go to our website at:

www.src.store.academia.co.uk

COMMUNICATION Communication has always been of the utmost importance and maintaining clear communication channels is now more crucial than ever.

We always follow the latest government guidance to ensure the safety of our students.

Stockton Riverside College has been keeping in regular contact with our learners and their families. Our Principal has been distributing regular updates via email and letters, and we have been keeping our website and social media platforms up to date with all the latest information and guidance. We have implemented a number of new portals and methods to maintain regular student-staff communication, and for monitoring of progress and work. We’ve established programmes and software like MS Teams across our whole site.

For example, where our tutors can create student groups in order to share information with their whole class quickly and effectively. Whether staff and students are working and learning on-site or from home, there is no interruption in communication.

VISITING US OPEN EVENTS

We’ve been running our open evenings, taster sessions, and other events like face to face events where possible. When Government guidelines have stated that this isn’t safe to do so, we’ve moved all of our information online, so you’re still able to find out what you need to know about studying with us and won’t miss out on anything. Take a look at our website below to see dates and information for our upcoming events and to check out some of our great virtual content.

www.stockton.ac.uk/open-events info@stockton.ac.uk We’ve also been hosting other online events like Instagram Q&A sessions, so if you’ve got a question, please do get in touch or email us (address shown above.)

CAMPUS TOURS As a result of COVID-19, we’ve put in place personal 1-1 campus tours for our site (please check our website for available dates). All of our tours are socially distanced and led by a knowledgeable member of our friendly team, so you can take a look around and get a feel for if we’re the right place for you, in line with government guidance. If you book a campus tour but aren’t able to make it, we can offer you a virtual tour instead! A member of the team will lead you around the campus using a video link via MS Teams or similar, so you’ll still be able to take a look around and chat with us.

Additionally, we have footage of our facilities available on our website, including 3600 images and campus tour videos. To book a personal campus tour, head to our website or social media, where you’ll be directed to pick a date and time that suits you.

OUTREACH WITH SCHOOLS Our friendly Schools Team love getting out and about and meeting students from all over the Tees Valley. While we’re not able to run things as normal, we’ve put together some new ways of making sure local students are getting the information, advice and guidance they need.

• We’re regularly hosting online, live Q&A sessions (e.g. via Instagram) • We’re constantly creating informative video content – including campus tours, meet the team, presentations, how to apply, and Q&As with our students • We’ve provided materials directly to schools – including prospectuses and event information • We’re getting out and about in our information trailer, which is fully stocked with all the info you’ll need – we’re organising directly with local schools to carry out some, socially distanced and safe, outdoor on-site visits with our trailer. And much more! (For more information, take a look at our websites opposite)

SELF CARE GUIDANCE IN LOCKDOWN Taking care of your mind as well as your body is really important while trying to stay at home because of COVID-19. You may feel bored, frustrated or lonely. You may also be worried, anxious or concerned about your health, finances, or about those close to you. We have included a few links and coping exercises that we hope will help you through this time.

For general tips please visit the official NHS website below: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-athome-tips/

TIPS TO HELP MANAGE ANXIETY

Stay connected with people Try to exercise regularly

Don’t overload yourself with bad news

Talk about your worries

Support and help each other

Look after your body Stick to the facts

Do things you enjoy

Focus on the present

FREE AUDIO BOOKS https://stories.audible.com/discovery

RESILIENCE TIPS www.stockton.ac.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2020/05/ResilienceTips.pdf

KEEPING FIT AND HEALTHY IN YOUR BODY AND MIND

Need some more tips? Here’s a few websites that may help with your health and wellbeing.

NHS Strength and Flex Work Out Plan - www.nhs.uk/live-well/ exercise/get-fit-with-strength-and-flex/ NHS Exercise Videos - www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/ Joe Wick Body Coach Exercise Videos - https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ Yoga for beginners 1 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AYKMP6rOE Yoga for beginners 2 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pKly2JojMw A Guide to Being Active at Home During COVID-19 - www.stockton. ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AGuidetoBeingActive.pdf

APPLY NOW We are accepting and processing all applications as normal, across all our sites.

We recommend applying as soon as possible so that you can secure your place with us, and we can keep you informed directly about all of our upcoming events and latest news.

Once your application has been received you will then be invited to attend an informal interview with a member of our friendly team to discuss your options in more detail. Our interviews may be held either in-person or over the phone, dependent on the latest guidance and COVID-19 restrictions.

If you have any questions or would like some help with your application, please get in touch with our friendly admissions team: 01642 865 566 or info@stockton.ac.uk.

Contact us: www.stockton.ac.uk info@stockton.ac.uk