Bridgend College CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Update

Q&A Links Guides IT Support Contact Virtual Open Events 2021

Page last updated 12/03/21 (13:10)

This page contains our latest information, guidance and frequently asked questions relating to the college and coronavirus (COVID-19). This page includes helpful information for applicants and new students.

Learners must not attend college unless they are instructed to do so. In order to keep learners safe, we will let them know when they need to attend.

GUIDANCE

Safeguarding and Learner Wellbeing during COVID-19

The safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and staff remains central to all that we do. We have created some guidance, designed to append the college safeguarding policy. This does not replace our fundamental responsibilities, expectations or standards expected by our staff, learners and other stakeholders.

English Cymraeg

Learner Behaviour and Conduct on Campus

As some campus based learning commences our behaviour expectations remain unchanged; we expect all learners to be ready, respectful and safe at all times.

We have implemented this annex, which appends our Citizenship Code and does not replace or supersede it. Learners should familiarise themselves with these expectations before attending any college campus.

English Cymraeg

UPDATES ISSUED TO STAFF AND STUDENTS

Any updates will be issued via our official college social media accounts, our student app and via the college website. Updates will also be published via the student and staff portal. Students should also regularly check both their college and personal email accounts.

GOVERNMENT ADVICE

The government will continue to monitor the spread of coronavirus and take further action as needed. You can find the latest information and advice on coronavirus.

Q&A:

THE COLLEGE

What is the College’s position on face coverings?

All learners attending any campus-based activity will be required to wear a three-layer face covering at all times when inside college buildings. This includes classrooms, workshops and catering areas.

If you do not have a three-layer face covering, you will be able to collect one for free from reception.

If you are medically exempt and do not currently have an exemption pass previously issued to you by the college, you must request one here.

What type of face covering should I use?

There are many types of face coverings available but the College strongly recommends the use of a reusable, 3-layered face covering.

A face covering should:

cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
fit comfortably but securely against the side of your face
be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
be able to be washed with other items of laundry, unless disposable

Guidance on how to make your own face covering is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

How can I help reduce the risk of spreading the virus when using my face covering?

wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser
avoid wearing your face covering on your neck or forehead
avoid touching the part of the face covering in contact with your mouth and nose
never allow others to touch or use your face covering
avoid placing your face covering on tables or other shared surface

To take your face covering off safely, you should:

only handle the straps, ties or clips
dispose of it carefully in a general waste bin and do not recycle, if single-use
place in the wash with other laundry, if reusable
then wash/sanitise your hands

What happens if I am exempt from wearing a face covering?

An exemption will only apply in certain circumstances and where reasonable evidence can be provided. If you are exempt, please complete the form which can be found at: www.bridgend.ac.uk/facecoverings

Further guidance on exemptions can be found on the Welsh Government website: https://gov.wales/requirement-wear-face-covering-public-transport-wales#section-47082

Is the College open?

Monday 15th – Friday 26th March

We will invite limited groups of learners to attend campus-based learning, who fall into one or more of the following categories;

Learners who are undertaking a planned assessment or exam which cannot be delivered remotely or postponed
Learners who are studying a ‘licence to practice’ qualification and are required to demonstrate a vocational competency as part of an assessment or qualification
Vulnerable learners

Please note that during this period, we are not permitted to open or use training restaurants, salons or undertake extracurricular enrichment activities.

You can read more about the scope of these limited groups on the Welsh Government’s website, available here.

College transport will not operate during this period and catering services will remain closed. You must only attend a campus if you are invited to do so.

Monday 29th March – Friday 9th April

Easter Break – although some learners who fall into one of the above categories may be invited to attend sessions during this period.

Monday 12th April onwards

We anticipate that from this date, we will be able to welcome back all learners to campuses and in most cases, following our pre-Christmas timetables (one to two days on campus each week). At this point, college transport will recommence and our catering facilities will re-open.

This is subject to approval by the Welsh Government and is dependent on community transmission rates continuing to fall. We will write to all learners to update them on this once any further updates or changes are made by the Welsh Government.

What action is the College taking?

We continue to follow all advice and guidance from the Welsh Government. As controlled elements of some of our campuses re-open, each area is risk assessed to ensure that our staff and students are able to stay safe whilst on campus. Where required, social distancing signage, one ways systems and amended room layouts are being implemented to ensure that learning spaces and workshops fully comply to the latest health and safety requirements.

Watch our short safety videos:

English: https://vimeo.com/425911077

Cymraeg: https://vimeo.com/427350594

Should I self-isolate?

If you or someone you live with has a high temperature, new and continuous cough or experience loss of taste, you should stay at home.

You should apply for a Coronavirus test and follow instructions from Public Health Wales on Test, Trace and Protect in Wales.

You can apply for a home testing kit here: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test

If you develop symptoms, are waiting for a test, awaiting test results or you have received test results, please let us know immediately by completing our notification form here: www.bridgend.ac.uk/covidnotification

How do I report symptoms or tell you I am awaiting or have received test results?

If you or someone you live with has a high temperature, new and continuous cough or experience loss of taste, you should stay at home. You should apply for a Coronavirus test and follow instructions from Public Health Wales on Test, Trace and Protect in Wales.

You can apply for a home testing kit here: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test

Who is regarded as a ‘contact’ as part of the Test, Trace and Protect system?

People will be considered as potential contacts if they have been in close contact with the individual who tested positive up to two days before they first displayed symptoms and for ten days after and:

is someone who was within 1 metre of a case who they have had a face-to-face-conversation with, had skin-to-skin physical contact with, been coughed on or had other forms of contact within 1 metre for 1 minute or longer. These people will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
is someone who has had extended close contact with a case (within 2 metres of the case for more than 15 minutes) or; has travelled in a vehicle with a case or been seated near to one in public/college transport. These people will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Important note: wearing a face covering does not affect whether you are a close contact.

Are Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) available?

Yes – students and staff are able to collect lateral flow devices from reception at each campus.

Instructions on how to administer the test and what to do with your results are included in the pack. Any individual who chooses to be part of the lateral flow testing programme will be required to undertake the test at home prior to attending a college campus. You will be able to test up to twice per week and testing is optional.

You must not attend a college campus to college a testing kit unless you are timetabled to be on campus and have been invited to attend.

NEW STUDENTS

Are you still accepting applications

Yes! You can apply online today.

Our Student Services team will be in touch within a few days with more information about your next steps.

I have applied to the college but haven’t had an interview

We will not be interviewing any applicants for the remainder of this application cycle. Our Student Services team is still working remotely, processing applications and issuing conditional course offers based on your predicted grades.

Is there any work or preparation I can do before I join Bridgend College

Sure! We are creating new student resource packs which contain useful resources, reading, links and learning activities.

Simply search for your course area and download your resource pack here: www.bridgend.ac.uk/newstudents

What if I don’t get the predicted grades that I was expecting

Don’t worry! We will do all that we can to ensure that you enrol onto the course which is right for your own starting point, based on the grades you have been given.

How can I find out more about financial support or transport

Information about applying for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and the Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) can be found at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

You can download and print an application pack from the Student Finance Wales website or you can collect an application pack from our Bridgend or Pencoed campus, Monday to Friday between 9:00-16:30.

You can view our current college bus routes and find out more about financial support here: www.bridgend.ac.uk/newstudents

If you have any questions, please visit our website live chat or email hello@bridgend.ac.uk

I have a young child, is there any support available for childcare?

We have a newly refurbished 100 place day nursery at our Cowbridge Road campus. You can find out more and arrange a visit here: www.bridgendcollegedaynursery.co.uk

You may also be eligible for support from our Financial Contingency Fund (FCF).

Is there food available on campus?

Our Catering Services will not be open until Monday 12th April and this will initially be a reduced service. Any student invited to attend any campus-based learning before this date will be required to bring their own packed lunch and refreshments.

I was eligible for a free meal at school - will I get one at college?

Yes. If your circumstances have remained unchanged, you will still be eligible to receive a free meal at college. In addition, all students get free breakfast – you don’t need to register or apply, just help yourself!

If you are unsure about whether you are eligible, please contact our Student Services team on 01656 302302, email hello@bridgend.ac.uk or speak to us via the live chat function on the college website.

What are the term dates?

You can view all of our term dates and closure days for 2020/21 here: https://www1.bridgend.ac.uk/college-news/important-dates/

I don’t have regular access to a suitable device and/or the internet. What should I do?

Some of your timetabled learning and teaching will be delivered online, so having access to a device and the internet will be essential to your success, but please don’t worry, we can help!

We are a Google Reference College, and we operate fully within the G Suite environment (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail), meaning that a Chromebook would be a suitable device for nearly all of our courses.

You will need to select one of the following options;

Option 1

Purchase a Chromebook (or a PC or alternative laptop, if you prefer) from a high street retailer. Depending on screen size and specification, Chromebooks retail from around £180.

We have worked with a reputable supplier (ConnectED from Academia) who are able to offer educational discounted devices, accessories, insurance and payment options.

Visit the Academia Online Shop [https://bridgend.store.academia.co.uk/]

Option 2

Check if you’re eligible for financial support and apply. If you’re eligible, we’ll supply a loan device.

16-18	Household income must be £20,817 or less if you are the only young person in the household. Household income must be £23,077 or less if there are any additional young people eligible for child benefit in the household.
19+	Household income must be £18,370 or less

Apply for Financial Support [https://www1.bridgend.ac.uk/fcf-application-online]

Once you have applied, we will be in touch with your next steps. If you are eligible for a loan device, you will need to sign an acceptable use agreement and this device will be monitored for safeguarding purposes. Devices will be issued w/c 14th September, following completion of our induction period.

If you have any questions or need any support, please contact our Student Services team by emailing hello@bridgend.ac.uk, calling 01656 302 302 or speak to us via live chat on the college website.

CURRENT STUDENT

Can I speak to someone at the college during campus closures?

Yes. Our Student Services team is online Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00. You can speak to them via the live chat function on the college website or by emailing hello@bridgend.ac.uk

Our student Wellbeing Team are also available:

Online: bridgend.ac.uk/wellbeing

Email: wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk

Mobiles: 07971 670 504 / 07800 598 090 / 07973 716 794

I need help accessing college systems remotely or need my password reset

You can reset your password using the guide further down this page. If you need support, please complete the IT Support webform which can also be found on this page and a member of the team will get back to you.

Can I have a refund on my higher education tuition fees?

Although physical face-to face-teaching has been suspended, the College continues to support all of our learners to achieve their desired learning outcomes. As such, we will not be refunding tuition fees for HE courses.

The College is remaining open during this time and has transitioned towards remote methods of delivery, so that as students you can continue to work towards achieving your qualification and help you be all that you can be.

Your tuition fee covers a wide range of activities and services, including online teaching sessions, tutorials, virtual learning environment and the supporting infrastructure that make all of this possible.

If you are paying your tuition fees yourself – or if you are using the Maintenance Loan to pay your fees – it is important that you keep up with payment of fees as per the instalment plan set up at enrolment. Failing to keep up with payments may prevent you from progressing to the next stage of your course or from graduating.

If however, the coronavirus crisis has caused financial hardship and is affecting your ability to keep up with your tuition fee payments please contact the higher education team for advice by email: heenquiries@bridgend.ac.uk

If you intend to withhold tuition fees due to the temporary suspension of face to face teaching due to coronavirus you should refer to the Students Complaints Procedure which can be found here:- https://www1.bridgend.ac.uk/about-us/

How do I make sure I have secured a place at Bridgend College next year

You should have had a progression discussion with your Personal Tutor during ‘Next Steps’ week in March; you would have then received a conditional offer from us.

Don’t worry if you didn’t – you can either email your Personal Tutor or email our Student Services team at hello@bridgend.ac.uk

Is there food available on campus?

I was eligible for a free meal at school - will I get one at college?

What are the term dates?

You can view all of our term dates and closure days for 2020/21 here: https://www1.bridgend.ac.uk/college-news/important-dates/

I don’t have regular access to a suitable device and/or the internet. What should I do?

Some of your timetabled learning and teaching will be delivered online, so having access to a device and the internet will be essential to your success, but please don’t worry, we can help!

You will need to select one of the following options;

Option 1

Purchase a Chromebook (or a PC or alternative laptop, if you prefer) from a high street retailer. Depending on screen size and specification, Chromebooks retail from around £180.

We have worked with a reputable supplier (ConnectED from Academia) who are able to offer educational discounted devices, accessories, insurance and payment options.

Visit the Academia Online Shop [https://bridgend.store.academia.co.uk/]

Option 2

Check if you’re eligible for financial support and apply. If you’re eligible, we’ll supply a loan device.

16-18	Household income must be £20,817 or less if you are the only young person in the household. Household income must be £23,077 or less if there are any additional young people eligible for child benefit in the household.
19+	Household income must be £18,370 or less

Apply for Financial Support [https://www1.bridgend.ac.uk/fcf-application-online]

If you have any questions or need any support, please contact our Student Services team by emailing hello@bridgend.ac.uk, calling 01656 302 302 or speak to us via live chat on the college website.

TRANSPORT

Do I have to wear a face covering on buses?

Yes. It is the law in Wales that a face covering must be worn on public transport. We also require any student travelling on our contract buses to wear a face covering and this is a condition of your bus pass being issued.

You can view our travel behaviour code here: https://www1.bridgend.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bus-pass-1.pdf

Guidance on exemptions can be found on the Welsh Government website: https://gov.wales/requirement-wear-face-covering-public-transport-wales#section-47082. You need to let us know if you are exempt by visiting www.bridgend.ac.uk/facecoverings

When will college buses start running?

All students travelling on college transport will be issued with a copy of our ‘Travel Behaviour Code and are expected to follow this

Our college contract buses will run from Tuesday 1st September. If you don’t have your bus pass straight away, you will be able to travel for the first few journeys using your student ID.

Currently, you will only be able to travel on a college contract bus if you have a three-layer face covering. Please refer to the latest Welsh Government guidance on face coverings and transport here: https://gov.wales/requirement-wear-face-covering-public-transport-wales

You can view all of our routes and estimated pick-up times here: www.bridgend.ac.uk/newstudents

If you are travelling on a First Cymru public service bus, you will be required to adhere to First Cymru passenger requirements relating to COVID-19, which can be viewed here: https://www.firstgroup.com/south-west-wales/news-and-service-updates/coronavirus-covid19-service-information

How do I apply for a bus pass?

I live in Bridgend

If you live more than three miles (walking distance) to your campus of study, you live in Bridgend county borough and you are under 19 years of age when you start your course, you will be eligible for a First Cymru bus pass issued by the college on behalf of Bridgend County Borough Council. You will be required to adhere to First Cymru passenger requirements relating to COVID-19, which can be viewed here: https://www.firstgroup.com/south-west-wales/news-and-service-updates/coronavirus-covid19-service-information

I live outside of Bridgend

If you live outside of Bridgend county borough and need to use our college contract buses, you will need to complete an application for our Financial Contingency fund. We will work through applications as quickly as possible, and we will issue you with a bus pass (this is likely to be via post).

You can apply online here: www.bridgend.ac.uk/newstudents

Can I park on campus?

Yes. There is limited parking available on campus available on a first come, first served basis. We ask everyone to park responsibly and to be respectful of others. Parking any vehicle is the sole responsibility of the driver / owner and the college cannot accept any liability for damage or theft.

You will need to register your vehicle registration at reception or with our Student Services team. Once you have done this, you will be issued with a parking pass.

We have a number of disabled parking bays across our campuses. Staff, students and visitors are welcome to use these when displaying a valid blue badge.

KEEPING WELL

What are the best ways of keeping well during the Coronavirus outbreak?

Your wellbeing is incredibly important to us. Whilst we might be changing the way we work and starting to work more remotely, we wanted to take the opportunity to signpost you to some helpful guides:

Mental Wellbeing

This guide explores how to keep mentally well throughout the Coronavirus outbreak and has been developed by the mental health charity, Mind. Click here to access further information Coronavirus and your wellbeing

Physical Wellbeing

In addition to your mental health, it is really important to maintain good physical health. These videos, which have been developed by NHS Wales can be accessed from home. Click here to access Fitness Videos which will support you to maintain your physical fitness during periods of self isolation.

College Employee Assistance Programme

Additionally we would like to remind staff of our confidential 24/7 counselling service, which is delivered by Carefirst. Please access by clicking on this link Care first Access

Additional Health and Support

As well as all of the above, if you have any queries or concerns about your health in the context of the workplace please contact your line manager or a member of the HR Team (ext 350)