College leaders should “use their judgement” on what is right for students staff and their communities as they plan for a reopening to students, the Association of Colleges has said.

Responding to new reopening guidance from the Department for Education, published today, deputy chief executive, Julian Gravatt said: “It is right that the government has focused on getting young people back into education and training for September. The guidance will help colleges to plan for their reopening and be extremely helpful in making sure buildings and campuses are safe.

“The focus on procedure for local outbreaks and how to continue to utilise remote learning to ease pressure where necessary will be reassuring for many.”

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‘Very late in the day’

Mr Gravatt continued: “However, it comes very late in the day and being so close to the new term, many will already have robust plans in place for gradual full returns. We suggest that college leaders use their judgement as to what is right for their students, staff and communities. Colleges will all be facing different challenges in September, we are confident they will do all they can to offer the best experience to their new and returning students.”

This comes after the Department for Education today published updated guidance on colleges reopening to students - only days before most welcome back learners. 

It contains updates on issues such as implementing risk assessments and managing the effectiveness of the control measures that are put in place; the importance of good ventilation to reduce the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and steps that can be put in place to limit the use of poorly ventilated spaces; how colleges should manage confirmed cases of coronavirus as part of the wider system of control measures; the use of face coverings; and how national and local partners will work together to prevent, contain and manage local outbreaks.

The guidance says: “You may already have implemented proportionate control measures to limit the transmission of coronavirus (Covid-19) for a limited number of students.”

As part of planning for welcoming students back for the autumn term, it adds that colleges should revisit and update risk assessments, consider additional risks and control measures to enable a return of all students from the beginning of the autumn term, including those who may be at more risk of an adverse outcome if infected, review and update wider risk assessments. They should also have arrangements in place to monitor control measures and involve students in the development of a student charter or agreement that sets out responsibilities for staying safe and protecting others. 

In addition, the guidance contains updates on the framework for supporting public transport to and from FE settings; how colleges can support students to undertake music, performing arts and physical activity; and blended learning. It also contains updates on the emergency treatment of students, and how to support staff who are at increased risk from Covid-19 to return to work.

Last night, the government published its contingency plans for college and school provision in areas of higher Covid-19 risks. Labour’s shadow education secretary Kate Green tweeted the timing of the announcement was “insulting to heads and staff who’ve worked flat out over the summer holiday, and are now expected to cope with yet more new guidance just hours before the bank holiday weekend and only days before term starts”.