Dear students,

I trust you are enjoying the Easter break.

Can I remind you that classes re-commence on Monday 12th April 2021.

We look forward to seeing you.

Testing before you return to site

You should complete one of the lateral flow COVID-19 tests we have given to you before you return to Blackburn College.

You should aim to do this the day before you return to classes. So, for example, if your first class is Monday, you should do the test on the Sunday before.

You will need to record your results in two places.

You should record them on the Government site – the link to access this is in your home-testing kit collection pack.

You should also record your result on the College’s website using the link below. Register your Covid-19 home testing kit results.

Register your Covid-19 home testing kit results.

You should make sure you take these tests every 3-5 days.

Home-testing Kits for Students

When you return to College, additional home-testing kits will be available for students to collect from the Beacon Centre reception or from the entrance to St Paul’s.

Social Distancing

I wish to remind you that there is still the need for social-distancing to be maintained when you are moving about the College or when you are spending time outside of your timetabled classes.

Although you have access to tests at home, it is important to ensure that you continue to wear your mask or face-covering when attending College and in all circumstances where 2 metres between yourself and others cannot be maintained.

Replacement masks, should yours become damaged, are available from the Beacon Centre reception free of charge.

Regular Testing for Your Household/Support Bubble

Households and support bubbles of students at College now also have access to Lateral Flow Home Testing kits (sometimes called rapid results tests). As roughly about one in three people with Coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on to others. These regular tests are now available to help stop the virus spreading.

Home testing kits for households and support bubbles of Blackburn College students are available:

• Through your employer (if they offer testing to employees)
• At a local test site
• By collecting a home test kit from a test site
• By ordering a home test kit online

Collection of Home Test Kits

The closest collection point for Blackburn College is the Coronavirus Test Centre located on the College car park outside Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre. The link below details other collection points that may be more convenient to you. Find locations of home test kit collection sites.

Find locations of home test kit collection sites.

Ordering Home Testing Kits

You can also order home testing kits online. You can order one pack of home test kits containing seven tests for home delivery. Your tests should arrive within two days. Order a home testing kit.

Further Information

Further information about testing for households and support bubbles is available using the following link. A useful leaflet about the testing process is also available. Guidance for testing for households/support bubbles. The testing process explained.

• Guidance for testing for households/support bubbles
• The testing process explained
• A useful guide to how household self-isolation works

Yours faithfully,

Dr Fazal Dad,

Principal and Chief Executive

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m worried about travelling to College, what do you suggest?

When you’re attending College you may be worried about public transport. We recommend you read the following guidance from the Government. This document is entitled ‘Safer Travel Guidance for Passengers’. Should you still have concerns, we recommend you speak to your Personal Tutor in the first instance. Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

I'd been given access to IT equipment, what now happens with it?

You will need to return any kit you have been given and will be sent a text message about returning your kit/IT equipment.

You will also get an email to your College email address. You must make sure you return the kit in your allocated time slot or follow the instructions in the email/text to arrange an alternative time.

 

I've lost my lanyard/ID card. What do I do?

You will be able to access a new lanyard and ID card from the Beacon Centre Reception. These will be issued for FREE during the weeks of Monday 8th March 2021 and Monday 15th March 2021. After these dates new lanyards and ID cards become chargeable.

Will a register be for face-to-face sessions be taken?

Yes. We will take a register for all the sessions that take place. This is so we can see that you are engaging with your studies and know that you have returned to College.

What will happen with my Maths and English classes and tutorials?

Your Maths and English classes and Tutorials will also take place face-to-face following your normal timetable.

I’m eligible for Free College Meals, how will I get this payment?

If you are eligible for Free College Meals we will re-start making the associated payment to your College account so that you continue to be able to purchase food from our onsite restaurants.

You can contact the Student Finance team using StudentFinance@blackburn.ac.uk if you have any queries about this.

I’m an adult student and am in receipt of support for childcare, what will happen?

If this applies to you, your payment will still be made to your registered childcare provider.

I was due to sit GCSE and A-Level examinations this year, what will happen?

The Government has announced that GCSE and A-Level examinations will not take place as previously planned in summer 2021.

Information is being released now about these qualifications and we will be back in touch in due course. Until then, it is critical you continue to attend your A-Level and GCSE classes.