We are making our centres COVID-19 secure
We've really missed everyone and have been busy planning to welcome you back to our seven Adult Learning Centres in April for the summer term. We are looking forward to delivering some courses face-to-face again, with some courses remaining online initially.
As we all get used to the changing circumstances, your visit to our centres will feel a little different but our team is dedicated to ensuring you have a safe experience while learning with us.
We are firmly committed to running a high-quality service, putting the safety and welfare of our learners and staff as our top priority. We have carefully followed government advice and have risk assessed all areas of our service to allow us to open in a controlled and responsible way. A number of measures have been implemented to allow us to provide safe and enjoyable visits for everyone.
Please take a moment to read the following important information before you visit.
Enrolments – do I need to enrol before the course starts?
Yes. We have carefully reviewed each centre's capacity and have a limited number of places available for each course. We operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrolments can be made online or by calling our Customer Service Team on 0300 200 1044 up to four working days before the course start date. We're unable to take late enrolments or enrolments at our centres.
Payments – can I pay using cash or cheque?
To protect our centre teams, we need to avoid handling cash or cheques. Please enrol and pay by credit or debit card either online or by calling our Customer Service Team on 0300 200 1044.
Social distancing – what measures are in place?
As well as reviewing our room capacities, each centre will have directional signage and floor markings in place to support 2-metre social distancing guidelines. This will include walking on the left hand side of corridors, walkways and stairs, and our toilets and lifts will be operating on a one-person-at-a-time basis. Some areas of the centres won't be accessible.
Enhanced cleaning – what measures are in place?
Before centres open, they are undergoing a deep clean. To help support ongoing cleaning we are limiting the number of courses taking place in each classroom to three per day across the morning, afternoon and evening. This will allow sufficient time to clean between each session, ready for the next group of learners.
Hygiene – what measures are in place?
All visitors must sanitise their hands when they come into the building and regularly during their visit. Additional hand sanitiser stations have been positioned at key areas throughout the centre.
Arrival – what do I do when I arrive at a centre?
Please arrive no more than 5 minutes early for your class to avoid queues and follow the social distancing rules while you're waiting. If you know the room your class is being held in, you should go directly to the classroom. Reception staff can direct you if you are unsure of the location of your classroom. We've installed plastic screens at our reception desks to protect you and our staff. To support NHS Test and Trace we have QR codes for the NHS COVID-19 app displayed in all our building entrances - please ensure you scan the QR code when you arrive onsite.
Visitors – what signing in process is required?
To support the NHS Test and Trace service, Surrey Adult Learning requests all visitors provide a telephone number to enable easier contact should a confirmed case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) be identified. This will be a temporary record, which is kept securely for 21 days, before being destroyed.
Leaving – what do I do when my class has finished?
At the end of your class please follow the exit signage and leave the centre as quickly as possible.
Classrooms – what will have changed?
To aid ventilation in classrooms and across the centre, windows and doors will need to remain open, whilst still adhering to fire regulations. You may wish to wear additional layers to compensate for this. You may also find that the layout of classrooms has changed or that some items have been removed to create a bigger teaching space.
Shared equipment – what's happening about learning resources and specialist equipment?
Please reduce the amount of contact you have with any shared equipment, whether this is learning resources or specialist equipment. Your tutor will demonstrate techniques on their own project and direct you while you work on your item. Social distancing should be maintained at all times. We ask for your cooperation in making sure that your workstation and all shared equipment is wiped down after use. Disinfectant wipes will be available in each classroom so you can clean shared equipment before and after use and please dispose of these in the lidded bins provided.
Face Coverings – Do I need to wear one and will staff be wearing one?
In accordance with the latest government guidelines, face coverings must be worn by all when moving around the Centre, in corridors and communal areas and in classrooms, where social distancing cannot easily be maintained, except where exemptions apply. Some people are exempt from wearing face coverings for health, age or disability reasons so please be respectful of this. It is expected that as part of step 3 of the roadmap process face coverings in classrooms will no longer be recommended, which will be no earlier than 17 May. When you enrol on a course it is with the understanding that you are currently required to wear a face covering. Please be mindful that wearing a face covering may inhibit communication with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions, and clear sound. Please bring your own face covering with you. Should you forget your face covering, a replacement can be obtained from reception. Although we are sure you are well versed in wearing a face covering by now, please visit our How to wear and remove a face covering page for additional guidance and a quick reminder from the World Health Organisation (WHO) who have produced a short, informative video demonstrating the safe wearing of a fabric face covering.
Asymptomatic Testing – Do I need to test myself regularly at home?
Asymptomatic testing using rapid testing Lateral Flow Devices (LFD) will support the return to face-to-face classes and help identify people who are infectious but do not have any Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. Home testing will be available for all staff and learners to self-swab and test themselves up to twice a week. Test kits will be available from any of our Adult Learning Centres for collection. Testing is voluntary but is strongly encouraged. Please ensure you read our Coronavirus (COVID-19) asymptomatic home testing for Adult Learning Centres page before visiting the Centres which also has an NHS video that explains how lateral flow tests work.
Lost property – what if I forget something?
We will not be able to keep any lost property and will have to dispose of anything left behind. To assist us in keeping classrooms clean and clutter-free, please only bring what you need for the class and check your work area before you leave.
PPE – will you provide everyone with this?
In the majority of instances, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will only be provided for courses where it was provided previously. For example, our Pottery, Sculpture, Stained Glass and Glass Fusing courses use some techniques that require a specialist face mask. In these circumstances, you will be provided with one Face Fit Protection (FFP3) mask at the beginning of the course and you are expected to take this home and bring it back for all subsequent classes. Should you forget your mask, a replacement can be purchased from reception. In addition, disposable gloves will be provided for Pottery and Sculpture courses.
Cafés – will these be open?
Our cafés at Camberley, Molesey and Woking Adult Learning Centres are reopening for takeaway in April 2021. Drinking water will still be available from our water machines, however we request that you come with your own filled water bottle when attending. Please note, eating and drinking is not permitted in all classrooms due to specialist equipment and materials, so please check with your tutor.
Emergency evacuation – what should you do in the event of an emergency?
Should the fire alarm sound, the normal evacuation procedure will be followed during which time there is no requirement to observe social distancing. Please note, we are required to undertake one emergency evacuation drill per term.
First aid – what happens if I require help?
Please let your tutor know and contact the Centre Team should you require first aid support. The First Aider will give directional support, taking into account social distancing unless there is a risk to life. All of our First Aiders have the latest information and guidance around providing first aid during COVID-19.
Feeling unwell – what do I do?
Do not come to the centre if:
- you have one or more Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms; a new and continuous cough or a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).
- a member of your household (including someone in your support bubble or childcare bubble if you have one) has Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.
- you are required to isolate having recently visited countries outside the Common Travel Area.
- you have had a positive test.
You must immediately cease to attend and not attend for at least 10 full days from the day after:
- the start of your symptoms.
- the test date if you didn't have any symptoms but have had a positive test (whether this was a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test).
Anyone told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace or by their public health protection team, has a legal obligation to self-isolate, but you may leave home to avoid injury or illness or to escape the risk of harm.
If you become unwell after attending any of our Centres, contact us immediately to let us know and include 'COVID-19 ABSENCE' in the email subject field. Alternatively, call our Customer Service Team on 0300 200 1044.
Course interruption – what happens if changes in government advice mean that face-to-face classes cannot continue?
If government advice means face-to-face classes cannot continue, classes will be moved to online provision, where possible. If a partial lockdown occurred and resulted in one or more centres being closed, where appropriate, classes would be moved to online delivery or relocated to a centre with capacity. Where this is the case, no refunds will be provided. If classes cannot continue online or from an alternative centre, refunds will be made for the missed session(s).