Coronavirus Information

Find updated information on coronavirus (Covid-19) below, including college announcements, guidance and support

Covid measures

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all students to the new academic year.  We will shortly be sending out a letter with all the important information but we wanted to let you know about the Covid measures that BCoT has in place.  We are asking all students to take two Saliva tests on their return to college, these can be collected from the lower concourse and need to be returned by 10.30 on the day they have taken the test.  All the instructions are in the kit.  We are also offering on site testing in the lower concourse.  

To ensure that we are keeping everyone safe, we would ask that if you have any symptoms of COVID (new persistent cough, high temperature, loss of sense of smell or taste - additional symptoms could include headache, sore throat or runny nose) that you do not attend the College site and get a PCR test as soon as possible.  We will make alternative arrangements to ensure you do not miss out on any learning.

This year we all need to make a concerted effort to minimise the disruption to learning that occurs when members of our community (staff and students) are required to self-isolate.  We can do this by following the established COVID protocols of wearing a mask, washing hands and regular testing.

On-going testing

After completion of the initial on-site or saliva testing, all students are expected to take a lateral flow test at home or provide a saliva sample twice a week until the end of September.  If the lateral flow test is positive please book a PCR as soon as possible, notify us and follow the guidance which is to isolate until you receive confirmation from the PCR test.  

If the PCR test is negative you can return to college  If it is positive please follow the guidance from Test and Trace.  Test and Trace will ask you who your close contacts have been and notify them, but they do advise that you tell people you have been in close contact with so that they can arrange a PCR test as appropriate.  Test and Trace will tell them if they need to isolate but current guidance is that you are not required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, and any of the following apply:

• You are fully vaccinated
• 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

Masks in College

We are encouraging all students to continue to wear masks in the communal areas of the college - reception, corridors, refectory, toilets.  

Staying Safe with COVID-19
Letter from the Principal - 27 October 2020
Letter to Students - 23 September 2020
Letter to Parents and Guardians - 23 September 2020
Letter from NHS to Parents and Guardians

Click on the documents below for more information on what steps are being made to ensure the College is safe for staff and students:

• Covid-19 Health Self-Assessment Checklist
• Covid Risk Assessment from September 2020
• Covid-19 Student Charter