Students Returning w/c 8th March 2021

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

As you will be aware, the Prime Minister recently announced that Schools and Colleges will re-open fully to all students from 8th March.

Your teacher will have confirmed your method of return, timetable, and if it is to remain remote learning or if you will be required on site for some or all of your lessons. Please note things will have changed from your September timetable. We are still offering a combination of both on and off site learning in order for us to maintain COVID-19 safe delivery. Please ensure you keep in contact with your teacher direct or via Teams for these updates. For anyone who is unaware of what the situation was with regards to the home test kits please see below:

• Students who attended all 3 days would have received their home kit on the third day at Johnson building once they had their test.
• If a student has attended 1 or 2 of the test days but not all 3 then they unfortunately have to order a test kit from the website below.
• If a student has not attended any of the test days but wishes to have a home kit then they will also need to order theirs from the website below.

https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

Below are links to alternative testing facilities, and these may be more suitable for you.

Derbyshire: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/health-and-wellbeing/health-protection/disease-control/coronavirus/community-testing/community-testing-for-covid-19.aspx

Nottinghamshire: https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/coronavirus/asymptomatic-community-testing-for-covid-19

Leicestershire: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/rapid-asymptomatic-testing

Staffordshire: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Coronavirus/Testing/Testing-for-people-without-symptoms.aspx

It is great to have students back to College and, in line with current Government guidance, will be encouraging our students and staff to ensure they continue to maintain the principles of social distancing. The two metre rule should still be observed, which means the classes will operate as they did last term with a blended mix of onsite and online learning, depending on class size. Students and staff will be required to wear face coverings (unless exempt for health reasons) in all public areas and in classrooms or workshops. No one should attend a site if they are feeling unwell.

Students need to eat in classrooms and obviously you will need to remove masks for this but we want masks to be put back on as soon as you have eaten to limit the amount of time without masks in your teaching area. Staff will be enforcing this message in class.

DCG Covid Myth Busters

I need to be tested before returning to site?

FALSE - Lateral flow testing is voluntary

I can only have a test if I have provided consent?

CORRECT - Before being able to have a test you need to complete a consent form.

Having consented and had a test, I need to receive a negative result test result before returning to site?

CORRECT - If you have been tested you will need to receive a negative test result before attending face to face lessons.

I will only be issued with home test kits after having had three lateral flow tests?

CORRECT - You will need to attend all three tests before being provided with home test kits.

I have been issued home test kits, do I have to a test each day that I attend college?

FALSE - No, however at least twice a week you are advised do a test prior to attending college.

I continue to report COVID related absence?

CORRECT - You continue to inform DCG should you be absence because you have symptoms and/or tested positive, either as a result of an on-site lateral flow, or a home test.

Safe Risk Assessment for the reopening of DCG Sites (PDF)

College Systems

Students that are required to work at home can access College systems and content from any internet browser, on any internet-connected device. This can include, but is not limited to, Windows desktops and laptops, apple mac desktops and laptops, tablets (android and apple), mobiles (android and apple), games consoles (PlayStation and Xbox). For games consoles we would recommend plugging in a USB keyboard to make it easier.

To simplify access, we would recommend:

1. https://my.dcg.ac.uk – this provides links to timetables, Moodle course updates and assignments, office 365 (Teams, OneDrive etc.), pro-portal but will also have a banner which will be used to communicate our latest message to students.
2. The MyDCG App for mobile device available from the app store – this provides the same links as the above but more conveniently or more inclusively on a mobile phone or tablet device.
3. https://www.derby-college.ac.uk/student-systems-hub - this provides a link directly to the systems they may need, but will require authentication, whereas the App or MyDCG will only require you to authenticate once on access or install.

For further guidance about working remotely visit:
https://moodle.derby-college.ac.uk/course/edit.php?id=1246679 Student logon for Moodle, Emails or the App is the same as College laptops.

Support Services

Ring 0800 028 0289 for any support needs and a dedicated team will filter your IT, Safeguarding or Welfare needs.

We have set up a support page to help support you when working from home
https://www.derby-college.ac.uk/you-re-not-alone

Students in receipt of bursary payments

During this time if students are in receipt of bursary assistance arrangements a payment will be made to ensure you continue to receive financial support for meals.

2021/22 Applications

Applications from school leavers/current Derby College students

We continue to receive 2021/2022 applications for students wishing to join any of the College sites (The Roundhouse, Ilkeston Community College, The Joseph Wright Centre, Broomfield Hall).

Join us at our next virtual open event to find out more https://www.derby-college.ac.uk/news-events/events

Please note: where face to face interviews on college sites would normally take place these will be replaced with alternative interview methods. For example. telephone/remote access interviews.

Absence Reporting

Any DCG student or employee testing positive for COVID-19 must report this to the DCG Health and Safety team immediately by filling out the Covid Positive report form

For any other absences, please ensure you follow the student or employee absence process as normal.

DCG Employer guidance for Coronavirus

The DCG Business Development Team continue to remain in regular dialogue with our employer partners and will continue business as usual with any planned meetings or alternative method of working as mutually agreed.

The DCG Apprenticeship Delivery Team continue to remain in regular dialogue with our employers to limit any potential disruption to learning for your apprentices. For more information call on 01332 387421 or email BusinessEnquiries@derby-college.ac.uk

DCG take our duty of care extremely seriously and we will keep you updated as to any further developments as the need arises via the webpage, DCG social media and directly through your teacher, assessor or business development consultant.
Obviously, this continues to be a difficult time for the whole community and again we thank you for all your patience and understanding.

DCG Covid Safety