Plans for 21/22 session gather pace at NESCol
August 6, 2021
North East Scotland College has confirmed a range of measures designed to ensure a safe and engaging experience in 2021/22.
The new session will begin on 30 August for full-time students.
The College – with its three main campuses at Aberdeen City, Altens and Fraserburgh – will once again employ a blended learning model until October 2021 initially and then reviewed.
This will include a mix of activity on campus, live online learning through the NESCol Virtual Learning Environment and structured remote learning activities which give students flexibility in their schedule.
Access to campuses will be carefully managed to limit numbers as part of a range of measures for 2021/22. These include:
- The use of face coverings in all public areas, including corridors and lifts. These can be removed when seated in teaching areas and libraries as well as dining or social spaces.
- Maintaining physical distancing. A 1-metre rule is in place throughout the College and must be observed. This includes dining and social spaces. The only exception is for risk-assessed activities approved by staff.
- Ensuring students, staff and visitors avoid gathering in groups, with one way systems in place where required.
- Encouraging regular hand washing using sanitising stations available. Increased cleaning regimes are also in place.
- Reminding students, staff and visitors that they should not attend College if they experience any Coronavirus symptoms. Anyone displaying symptoms should stay at home, book an NHS test and inform their tutor, lecturer or line manager.
The College continues to support the distribution of lateral flow kits to students and staff for asymptomatic testing, recommended twice weekly, as well as the use of the Protect Scotland app. Students planning to move into term-time accommodation should take a PCR test before relocating and follow-up with lateral flow tests.
NESCol Principal Neil Cowie said: “We look forward to welcoming students for 2021/22 and to another engaging, vibrant and productive College year. We’re eager to get started and to support all of our learners in the new session.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of all connected with our College and the communities we serve has been the priority throughout the pandemic and will continue to be in 2021/22.
“The experiences of previous sessions, in which we have been able to manage on-campus delivery so successfully, have been central to the decisions taken for this year.
“These guidelines have been produced in partnership with union representatives and the Students’ Association. At the direct request of the Scottish Government they intentionally go above and beyond the minimum requirements. They are intended to keep everyone safe and minimise the potential for disruption for learning.”
