Our Adult Learning centres are COVID-19 secure
We are pleased to welcome more of you back to our seven Adult Learning centres for the autumn term starting from 13 September.
We are looking forward to delivering more courses face-to-face again and to continue to offer a wide range of online courses that you can access from home.
At Surrey Adult Learning, 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. Enrolments can be made online or by calling our Customer Service Team on 0300 200 1044 up to three 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 are trying to avoid handling cash or cheques. Please enrol and pay by credit or debit card either via the online enrolment process or by calling our Customer Service Team on 0300 200 1044.
Social distancing, what measures are in place?
The government guidance for Further Education settings is that social distancing measures have now ended. Each Centre will continue to have directional signage and floor markings. This will include walking on the left down corridors, walkways and stairs and our toilets and lifts will be operating on a one person at a time basis. Some areas won't be accessible.
Enhanced Cleaning, what measures are in place?
We will continue to have an element of enhanced cleaning when we return for the Autumn Term 2021. In addition, we will also provide disinfectant wipes in each room to enable staff and learners to wipe down their own area, if they choose.
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. 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?
All visitors are required to sign in for evacuation purposes.
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. 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?
The government has removed the requirement to wear face coverings in law in further education settings. However, it expects and recommends they are worn by all when moving around the Centre, in corridors and communal areas, except where exemptions apply. You can choose to wear a face covering when seated or stationary in your designated area but it's not a requirement. Please note, there will be a few exceptions to the above, if this applies to your class(es), your Tutor will inform you at the start of your class. Some people are exempt from wearing face coverings for health, age or disability reasons so please be respectful of this. Please be mindful that wearing a face covering may inhibit communication with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions, and clear sound. Face visors or shields should not be worn as an alternative to face coverings. 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 and vending machines are open, with slightly amended menus. All customers are encouraged to pay by contactless payment. Cash payments can be accepted however, must be exact money. Drinking water will still be available from our water machines, however we request that you bring your own 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, please follow the normal evacuation procedure and leave via the nearest available exit. Your Tutor will lead you to the Muster Point. 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, 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 attend the Centre if:
- You have Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have received a positive Coronavirus (COVID-19) test result. Stay at home and self-isolate. Follow the government guidance, Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
- Complete your full isolation period. Your isolation period starts immediately from when your symptoms started, or, if you do not have any symptoms, from when your test was taken. Your isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day your test was taken if you do not have symptoms), and the next 10 full days.
- If a member of your household has symptoms or has tested positive you must self-isolate unless any of the following apply:
- You are fully vaccinated (with a MHRA approved COVID-19 vaccine in the UK and at least 14 days have passed since you received the vaccine).
- You are below the age of 18 years 6 months.
- You have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial.
- You are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.
- NHS Test and Trace will contact you to let you know that you have been identified as a contact and check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. If you are not legally required to self-isolate, you will be provided with advice on testing and given guidance on preventing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you become unwell after attending any of our Centres, contact us immediately to let us know by emailing adultlearning@surreycc.gov.uk and include 'COVID-19 ABSENCE' in the subject field. Alternatively, call our Customer Service Team (CST) 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).