UPDATE: 07/04/2021: Return to College | Week Commencing 12th April

We are looking forward to welcoming our students and apprentices back into College from the week beginning 12th April.

Unless medically exempt, face coverings must continue to be worn indoors at all times, including classrooms. Please also remember to complete your lateral flow tests - twice a week, from home - as recommended by Public Health England and the Department for Education. Please complete one lateral flow test from home before you return to College. Please follow the test instructions and report your result (whether positive or negative) directly to NHS Test and Trace as soon as the test has been completed. If the test result is positive please also let your Tutor know at Chelmsford College, so we can ensure contact tracing can begin straight away.

We are asking for everyone’s support to help beat coronavirus together.

UPDATE: 22/03/2021: Home Testing Kits

Most of our students and apprentices will now be completing the third of their lateral flow tests as recommended by Public Health England and the Department for Education. The next step is to move to home testing. Students and apprentices will be able to collect their home testing kits from the College test site from today. Each kit contains three complete tests. We ask that one of the tests is completed this week, in our final week of our Spring Term and the final test is taken on the last weekend of the Easter holiday.

The tests are easy to use and come with comprehensive instructions. The tests give a result in around 30 minutes. Students and apprentices must report their test result (whether positive or negative) directly to NHS Test and Trace as soon as the test has been completed. Results can be reported online or by telephone as per instructions in the kit. A positive test result will mean self-isolating immediately, in line with the stay at home guidance. If the test result is positive please also let your Tutor know at Chelmsford College, so we can ensure contact tracing can begin straight away.

Tests are voluntary but in order to stay on top of the virus we are asking for everyone’s support to help beat coronavirus together.

We are awaiting further guidance with regards to how testing will continue after the Easter holidays, in our Summer Term and will provide further updates as soon as information becomes available.

UPDATE: 03/03/2021: Return to College w/c 8 March and testing information

We are looking forward to welcoming our students and apprentices back into College from the week beginning 8 March. We have taken great care to put COVID-19 safety measures in place, including:

• Social distancing
• Hand sanitising stations
• 2 metre rule
• Ventilation
• Masks to be worn at all times when indoors, including classrooms

Lateral flow tests are available and testing will be taking place on both campuses. Your Tutor will provide further details and instructions. If you haven’t received information about this yet please contact your Tutor directly and check MS Teams notifications.

Our intention is that students and apprentices will have three initial lateral flow tests in College, starting from Monday and students and apprentices will then receive a home testing kit. Each test (whether conducted at College or at home) should be taken between 3 to 5 days apart.

Tests are voluntary but in order to stay on top of the virus we are asking for everyone’s support to help beat coronavirus together.

Our staff have been fully trained in the testing process and to support you. Before you receive a test, your parent or carer will need to sign a consent form, available here. Our data protection policy is also available here.

When you return to College, you will go to class first. Your Tutors will advise you when your group’s allocated times are and accompany your group to the dedicated testing locations. Once home testing begins, if you receive a positive test result it’s important you let your Tutor know immediately. If you don’t want to take a test at home it will still be possible to take a test at College instead.

We continue to follow all Government and Public Health England guidelines.

Timetables have been distributed to all students and apprentices via their Tutors, so all students and apprentices should know exactly when they are expected back in College. If you haven’t received this information please contact your Tutor directly.

Stay safe

COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

Download | Personal Data Privacy Notice
COVID-19 Asymptomatic Rapid LFD Testing

UPDATE: 24/02/2021: Face-to-face teaching resuming

Following the Government’s announcement on 22 February 2021, which included outlining a roadmap of how coronavirus restrictions will be lifted in stages, Chelmsford College are working towards resuming face-to-face teaching from the week beginning Monday 8 March 2021.

We are looking forward to welcoming students and apprentices safely back into College, on both campuses through a phased return.

We will be following the latest Government guidelines, including asking students to participate in COVID-19 testing and wearing face masks at all times whilst on campus including in lessons (unless an agreed exemption is in place).

In order to safely manage the return of students to their regular timetables we need to finalise our capacity for COVID-19 testing (Lateral Flow Testing) and organise our timetables so groups are tested in a manageable way.

All students should continue to engage with their online lessons and learning until they receive further information.

We continue to follow information and guidance from the Department for Education and will post all further updates on our website.

COVID-19 Testing Consent Form

Download | Personal Data Privacy Notice
COVID-19 Asymptomatic Rapid LFD Testing

UPDATE: 22/02/2021: National Lockdown update

Following the Government announcement this evening, we are waiting for further guidance from the Department for Education. We will provide an update once we have further information to share.

Please remember, if you are 16-18 years old you and your family can book a free coronavirus test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test even if you don’t have any symptoms. If you have any coronavirus symptoms you are advised to get a test and self isolate.

UPDATE: 01/02/2021: The pedestrian access to our Princes Road campus is currently closed due to the 5G mast being vandalised. We are working with local authorities to have safe access to the campus restored as soon as possible. As an interim measure students and staff who've been affected by the loss of internet access are invited to use the facilities at the Moulsham Street campus in accordance with coronavirus safety guidance.

UPDATE: 28/01/2021: We are reviewing the recent Government announcement and will provide an update once we know more detail.

UPDATE: 19/01/2021: Remote Education Policy

Download | Remote Education Policy

UPDATE: 07/01/2021: Pearson statement on BTEC Exams

We would like to reassure students that if you've had your January BTEC exams cancelled or you were unable to attend, Pearson have confirmed that you will not be disadvantaged and that you may be able to sit BTEC exams at a later date.

We will keep you updated as soon as we receive additional information.

UPDATE: 07/01/2021: College Access and Support

If you are a vulnerable learner, child of a Key Worker or don’t have access to online learning at home you are welcome to attend College during lockdown.

Our Learning Centre on the Moulsham Street campus will be open from Monday 11 January from 9.30am until 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. To access College during this period you’ll need to sign in at Reception on your arrival.

College staff will be on hand to greet and supervise you.

There will be snack boxes available for students.

To ensure your safety during this time we will be carrying out Covid-19 testing alongside our existing safety procedures.

Please travel safely and only attend College if you are symptom free and not self-isolating.

UPDATE: 06/01/2021: UPDATE | BTEC Exams

Following additional guidance last night from the DFE and Pearson, we have taken the decision to cancel the vast majority of the Pearson January exams with the exception of exams where pre-work has already been completed. These are the exams going ahead:

These are the exams going ahead:

• Friday 8 January – Business (Unit 6/12 Set Task)
• Friday 8 January - Health and Social Care (Unit 1 Resit)
• Monday 11 January – Childcare (Unit 4 Set task)
• Monday 11 January - Health and Social Care (Unit 2 Resit)

We want to give our students the choice to attend these exams and to encourage students to only attend the exam if they feel safe to do so and are not displaying any COVID symptoms or are self-isolating. The College will do all it can to ensure that students who do not sit these January exams are not disadvantaged because of it.

We appreciate this is an incredibly unsettling time for students and the lack of clarity about your qualifications is adding to this. We continue to push for more information from the government and awarding bodies and will provide more detail as soon as it is provided.

UPDATE: 06/01/2021: UCAS | Calling all Year 2 Level 3 Students

15 January university deadline extended by two weeks

Students applying to start university or college in 2021 now have until 18:00 on Friday 29 January to complete their application, following announcements in the UK to close schools and colleges.

We strongly advise students not to leave their application to the last minute and if they are ready to submit to go ahead and do this now.

For those students that need some additional support from their college, for instance those who do not have readily available access to digital devices, we hope this extension will give you the opportunity to make arrangements to finalise your application in time for equal consideration.

You can contact the Careers Advice Zone at Chelmsford College to help with your application at: careersadvicezone@chelmsford.ac.uk or call one of advisers on 07765897771.

As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will keep students informed in relation to the announcements regarding examinations and how this relates to their application, ensuring they have the information they need to make their decisions.

If you have any questions, please email adviserhelp@ucas.ac.uk.

Take care and stay safe.

UPDATE: 05/01/2021: BTEC Exams 6th January going ahead

Following the Government’s announcement of a national lockdown on Monday we were informed that the January BTEC exams must still go ahead despite the announcement relating to the cancellation of summer A Level and GCSE exams.

We are fully supportive of the Association of Colleges call for January BTEC exams to be cancelled nationally (details can be found here) however we are obliged to follow government advice.

At 6:30pm this evening the government have changed their guidance that was published less than 24 hours earlier. The new guidance allows Schools and Colleges to use their judgement on whether these exams should run.

After careful consideration the College will be going ahead with the BTEC Business and Health & Social Care exams scheduled for Wednesday 6th January. All of the students taking these exams have already completed a 6-hour research task for this exam and we feel it would not be fair to students to cancel this exam at such late notice.

That being said, we encourage students to only attend the exam if they feel safe to do so and are not displaying any COVID symptoms or self-isolating. The College will do all it can to ensure that students that do not sit these January exams are not disadvantaged because of it.

We appreciate this is an incredibly unsettling time for students and the lack of clarity about your qualifications is adding to this. We continue to push for more information from the government and awarding bodies and will provide more detail as soon as it is provided.

Information relating to subsequent days’ exams will appear on this page as early as possible on Wednesday 6th January.

UPDATE: 05/01/2021:

We are adhering to the national lockdown guidance.

The vast majority of students will receive online learning until at least February half term. This includes final year students. We remain open to vulnerable learners and those learners whose parents are Key Workers.

We are urgently seeking clarification regarding the BTEC January exam series due to start on Wednesday. We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.

The government has advised students will not sit exams and assessments this Summer and we await further clarification from the Department of Education and Ofqual. We will provide updates as soon as we hear what the process will be.

UPDATE: 31/12/2020:

Following yesterday’s Government announcement, we are reviewing the emerging guidance.

The plan we had in place (which was advised to all students last week) still stands, which is:

The first week back for all students will be online. There are exceptions, these are: Learners who have scheduled exams (including some exam preparation and practical assessments); Learners within the department of Extended Learning including Special Provision, EHCP learners, vulnerable learners and those whose parents are Key Workers will continue with their learning on-site where it is possible and safe to do so.

We will provide an update next week regarding coming into College from the 11 - 18 January and arrangements for mass testing.

All students will be contacted to say when they will be expected in College. Until then, all learning will be carried out online.

Please remember, if you are 16-18 years old you and your family can book a free coronavirus test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test even if you don’t have any symptoms.

We would strongly encourage you to have a coronavirus test and get the results before returning to College when advised in the New Year.

UPDATE: 21/12/2020:

In line with the Department of Education’s expectations, the first week back for all students will be online. There are exceptions, these are:

Learners who have scheduled exams (including some exam preparation and practical assessments); Learners within the department of Extended Learning including Special Provision, EHCP learners, vulnerable learners and those whose parents are Key Workers will continue with their learning on-site where it is possible and safe to do so.

All students will be contacted to say when they will be expected in College. Until then, all learning will be carried out online.

From 4 January 2021 the Department of Education has announced that all schools and colleges will start using the lateral flow coronavirus testing system once a week.

We know that between one in four and one in three people who have coronavirus never show any symptoms, but they are still infectious. Lateral flow testing can help identify people who have high levels of coronavirus so they can self isolate and keep other people safe.

Lateral flow tests work by taking a swab sample from the nose and/or mouth, mixing it with a buffer solution and applying that solution to the test device. After between 10 to 30 minutes the results will be ready.

The test is simple to use (you can take the swab sample yourself) and whilst not compulsory, we hope our community will work together in all efforts against coronavirus.

The introduction of weekly testing at Chelmsford College will help us take action, faster, to keep you safe. We will all still need to follow other coronavirus guidance including hands, face, space and we should all still remain vigilant if we develop coronavirus symptoms or are asked to self isolate.

Please remember, if you are 16-18 years old you and your family can book a free coronavirus test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test even if you don’t have any symptoms. If you have any coronavirus symptoms you are advised to get a test and self isolate.

We would strongly encourage you to have a coronavirus test and get the results before returning to College in the New Year.

UPDATE: 21/12/2020:

Chelmsford in Tier 4

From Sunday at 00:01, Chelmsford was moved into Tier 4, the Government’s new "Stay at Home Alert" Tier of coronavirus restrictions.

This is a summary of what Tier 4 means:

• You must not leave or be outside of your home except for where you have a specific purpose (for example if you cannot work from home, formal education, essential shopping for food or medicine or to collect any items including food and drink)
• You can leave home to visit people within your support bubble
• You can exercise outdoors and visit some public outdoor places such as parks, the countryside and outdoor sports facilities
• You can do unlimited exercise alone, or in a public outdoor place with your household, support bubble or one other person
• You can leave home for any medical reason, including to get a Covid-19 test or to avoid injury or illness or escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse)
• You can leave home to attend a place of worship for communal worship, but funerals, linked events and weddings are all subject to limits
• You are advised not to enter into nor leave a Tier 4 area, with the exception of specific reasons, for example formal education or if you cannot work from home
• If you live in a different area please check the guidance for your Tier and follow the advice accordingly

Please click image to view PDF

For more information please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

Please remember, if you are 16-18 years old you and your family can book a free coronavirus test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test even if you don’t have any symptoms. If you have any coronavirus symptoms you are advised to get a test and self isolate.

UPDATE: 16/12/2020:

Chelmsford in Tier 3

Please click image to view PDF

UPDATE: 14/12/2020:

As part of the Government’s mass testing programme additional mobile testing units will be in operation in parts of Essex for 16-18 year olds, staff and families. The tests have been approved by Public Health England and are totally safe. Testing is free and provided by NHS Test and Trace.

We'd encourage you to get a test for peace of mind - even if you don't have coronavirus symptoms. You will also be able to take a second test, before you return to College in the New Year.

You can book a test by visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test (The website also allows you to order tests by post if you cannot drive to one of the drive-through testing centres). Please select "Yes” to the question "Is the person who needs a test part of a trial or government pilot project” on the website. Please do not get a test if you have had a positive test in the last 12 weeks as it may give an incorrect positive result.

If the result of the test is positive, you will need to self-isolate. For the person who has a confirmed case of Covid-19, self-isolation will be needed for 10 days and household members for 10 days. Please inform us as soon as you receive this test result.

If your test is negative, your household will be able resume activities as normal.

These tests will help reduce the risk of people without symptoms passing on the virus.

UPDATE: 14/12/2020:

If you develop symptoms of Covid-19 up until 23 December 2020 you must report it in the usual way.

After 23 December please book a test at your local testing centre: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

If you receive a positive test result please do the following

1. Contact Track and Trace directly and follow their advice at:
   www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/
   You’ll need to provide this information:
         Your name
         Date of symptoms starting
2. Please leave a message on our COVID reporting line on 01245 293053 with your student reference number, name, contact number, course you are studying and last date of attendance at the College.

If you do not have a positive test result but are likely to be absent for the first day of our Spring Term due to self isolsation please let us know by calling 01245 265611 and leaving a message detailing your student reference and the expected date of your return.

Please remember that if you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 you must self-isolate for 10 days.

We encourage you to adhere to social distancing and all Covid-19 guidance over the holiday period to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

How to stop Covid-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with Covid-19:

Do

• wear a face mask in communal areas and if within 2 metres of social distancing
• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UPDATE: 07/12/2020:

On 03/12/2020 the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson announced there will be a package of exceptional measures to support students ahead of next Summer’s GCSE exams and assessments. This is to ensure students have the confidence they will be treated fairly and that exams can take place safely.

We are pleased to confirm these details for our Chelmsford College students:

• GCSE exams will be scheduled from 26th May to 2nd July 2021.
• More generous grading, in line with national outcomes from 2020
• Clinically extremely vulnerable students who aren’t able to attend College may be able to sit their GCSE exams or assessments at home
• Advance notice of some topic areas in GCSEs will be given to help focus revision
• Exam aids such as formula sheets are to be provided in some exams (on the day of the exam) to give students more confidence and help reduce the amount of information they need to memorise
• A second chance (28 June to 16 July) to sit a single contingency paper if the main GCSE exams or assessments are missed due to illness or self-isolation
• Special consideration if a student has completed sufficient non-examined assessments and as a result of sickness or the need to self-isolate misses some, or all, of the papers in a subject (medical evidence will need to be provided to support this process)
• The opportunity to receive a validated teacher assessment if a student misses all of their exams and the contingency series with a legitimate reason and isn’t able to access the special considerations process
• Students taking a vocational, technical or other general qualification will also be able to have their qualification awarded where they’ve been unable to take all the assessments required

The Department for Education (DfE) acknowledges that some students will have faced greater disruption than others as a result of coronavirus.

This package of exceptional measures is being put in place to make sitting exams and other assessments as fair as possible and to manage the disruption caused by coronavirus (Covid-19).

The DfE also intends to establish a group of experts to investigate, monitor and advise on the national impact coronavirus is having on students and their learning.

Further information about support for vocational qualifications will follow.

UPDATE: Tier 2 | 02/12/2020:

Please click image to view PDF

UPDATE: 19/11/2020:

We would like to invite Parents and Carers to book an appointment for this year’s Parents Evening!

We are pleased to announce that this year we will be holding a Parents Evening, however, it will be a little different from our usual in-person meetings as we are continuing to follow the Government’s COVID-19 advice and guidelines.

We are inviting all Parents and Carers to attend either a Microsoft teams meeting OR telephone call to discuss the progress of their child.

Appointments via Microsoft Teams will be held on Monday 30th November between 16:00 – 19:30 and appointments via telephone will be hold on Monday 7th December 16:00 – 19:30.

The regular online booking system is currently not available this year, so we are asking Parents and Carers to book an appointment via email at bookings@chelmsford.ac.uk. Please include your choice of date and time, the student’s name, reference number, contact telephone number and email address. You will be emailed back with confirmation or a substitute time within one working day.

Alternatively, you can book via the telephone on 01245 293030 between 10:00 – 16:00.

Appointments will be a maximum of ten minutes’ duration that will be strictly adhered to. All appointments MUST be booked by 16:00 on 25th November 2020 and are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

In order to facilitate parents evening all lessons will be finishing at 15:15 on Monday 30th November and Monday 7th December.

We look forward to speaking with you at Parents Evening!

UPDATE: 16/11/2020:

Following a member of staff at our Moulsham Street campus confirming they have tested positive for Covid-19 we have telephoned students and staff who may be affected to advise them to self-isolate for 14 days. Students from the bubble will be taught remotely for the next two weeks.

All processes and procedures have been followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education. Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community.

We believe this is an isolated incident which has only affected this particular bubble. In view of this we are confident that students and staff who are not part of these affected bubbles can remain in College at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation. The health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remain our number one priority. The campus and College remain open. Updates will be posted on our website as and when available.

Here is a reminder of What to do if you develop symptoms of Covid-19:

• You must not come to College and should remain at home for at least 14 days from the date when your symptoms appeared.
• Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
• All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your 'Support Bubble'.

Further information is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

• The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.
• Household members should not go to work, school, college or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
• If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.
• Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
• If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (Covid-19) are recent onset of:

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness.

If you, your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop Covid-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with Covid-19

Do

• wear a face mask in communal areas and if within 2 metres of social distancing
• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UPDATE: 05/11/2020:

Following further guidance from the Department for Education on what the new national restrictions mean for education and childcare settings, Chelmsford College has made these adjustments:

• Sport will continue with the existing risk assessed arrangements. All external football fixtures have been postponed by Essex FA, and training will be relocated.
• The Prince’s Room Restaurant and Training Coffee Bar remain open to students, apprentices and staff but closed to the general public.
• Adult classes for Access, AAT, English and mathematics and Award in Teaching and Learning will be delivered online.

Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community. The College recommends that students and apprentices wear face masks if within 2 metres of social distancing anywhere within the College. Students and staff are asked to wear face masks in communal areas at all times.

All processes and procedures are being followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education.

UPDATE: 05/11/2020:

We have a very small number of COVID-19 cases at our Moulsham Street campus where staff and students have confirmed they have tested positive for Covid-19. We have advised those who may be affected to self-isolate for 14 days.

All processes and procedures have been followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education. Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community.

We believe these are isolated incidents which have only affected these particular bubbles. In view of this we are confident that students and staff who are not part of these affected bubbles can remain in College at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation. The health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remain our number one priority.

The campus and College remain open. Updates will be posted on our website as and when available.

UPDATE: 02/11/2020:

Following the Government’s announcement on Saturday that a national lockdown is likely to begin from Thursday 5 November, the College is waiting for the Department of Education to clarify details of what we will be asked to do. The College will remain open but it is likely that wherever possible we will utilise our blended learning approach.

UPDATE: 02/11/2020:

During half-term a number of staff at our Princes Road campus tested positive for Covid-19. Due to the timing of the infectious period in this case no students have been asked to self-isolate. Staff affected are now self-isolating. Students from that bubble will be taught online, excluding students who are re-sitting their GCSEs (where separate arrangement will be put in place ).

All processes and procedures have been followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education. Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community.

We believe this is an isolated incident. We are closely monitoring the situation. The health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remain our number one priority.

Updates will be posted on our website as and when available.

UPDATE: 19/10/2020:

A member of staff has tested positive for Covid-19. They have not been in College and are now self-isolating.

All processes and procedures have been followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education. Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community.

We believe this is an isolated incident. In view of this we are confident that students and staff can remain in College at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation. The health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remain our number one priority.

The campus and College remain open. Updates will be posted on our website as and when available.

UPDATE: 12/10/2020:

Following a student at our Moulsham Street campus confirming they have tested positive for Covid-19, we have telephoned students and staff who may be affected to advise them to self-isolate for 14 days.

All processes and procedures have been followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education. Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community.

We believe this is an isolated incident which has only affected this particular bubble. In view of this we are confident that students and staff who are not part of this affected bubble can remain in College at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation. The health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remain our number one priority.

The campus and College remain open. Updates will be posted on our website as and when available.

UPDATE: 08/10/2020:

Following a student at our Princes Road campus confirming they have tested positive for Covid-19, we have telephoned students and staff who may be affected to advise them to self-isolate for 14 days.

All processes and procedures have been followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education. Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community.

We believe this is an isolated incident which has only affected this particular bubble. In view of this we are confident that students and staff who are not part of this affected bubble can remain in College at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation. The health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remain our number one priority.

The campus and College remain open. Updates will be posted on our website as and when available.

UPDATE: 28/09/2020:

Following a student at our Princes Road campus confirming they have tested positive for Covid-19, we have telephoned students and staff who may be affected to advise them to self-isolate for 14 days.

All processes and procedures have been followed according to advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education. Chelmsford College follows the class bubble system to minimise contact within the College and reduce the risk of the virus spreading across the wider College community.

We believe this is an isolated incident which has only affected this particular bubble. In view of this we are confident that students and staff who are not part of this affected bubble can remain in College at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation. The health, wellbeing and safety of students and staff remain our number one priority.

The campus and College remain open. Updates will be posted on our website as and when available.

UPDATE: 10/09/2020: Welcome to Chelmsford College 2020

We are really looking forward to seeing you in the college as we start our new academic year. In order to make sure that you know what to do when you arrive at the college, please watch the short film ‘Welcome to Chelmsford College 2020’ on our website.

UPDATE: 25/08/2020: Exam Results update for EAL students.

Following the Government’s announcement that A Level and GCSE students are to receive Teacher Assessed Grades, we have received a further update from EAL who have confirmed that they are continuing to work closely with colleges through the pandemic to make sure that the awards protocols and processes are conducted in a fair and timely manner. Awards will continue to be released between now and the end of September 2020 for all EAL students.

We are committed to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by any delay in certification, and no student will be limited by internal progression due to late certification. We appreciate this will cause additional uncertainty for students and we are sorry about this. Our priority is to ensure fair outcomes for EAL students and that no student is disadvantaged.

If additional assistance is required for students progressing with other providers, employers or apprenticeships please contact our post results service team at postresults@chelmsford.ac.uk or call 01245293031.

UPDATE: 20/08/2020: Release of Level 1 & 2 BTEC grades postponed and review of Level 3 grades for all students nationally

Following the Government’s announcement that A Level and GCSE students are to receive Teacher Assessed Grades, Pearson have reviewed the impact this would have on BTEC students and taken on board feedback from teachers, schools and colleges. As a result of this Pearson have taken the decision to postpone release of Level 1 & 2 BTEC grades and to review Level 3 grades for all students nationally.

This means they will now be regrading all the following BTECs - BTEC Level 3 Nationals, BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts.

BTEC qualification results have been generally consistent with teacher and learner expectations, but there is concern about unfairness in relation to what are now significantly higher outcomes for GCSE and A Levels.

Although Pearson generally accepted Teacher Assessed Grades for internal (i.e. coursework) units, they subsequently calculated the grades for the examination units using historical performance data with a view of maintaining overall outcomes over time. Their review will remove these calculated grades and apply consistency across teacher assessed internal grades and examination grades that students were unable to sit.

Pearson have assured us that they will work urgently with us to reissue these grades and we will update you as soon as we possibly can. Pearson have stated that they want to reassure students that no published grades will go down as part of this review.

We appreciate this will cause additional uncertainty for students and we are sorry about this. Our priority is to ensure fair outcomes for BTEC students in relation to A Levels and GCSEs and that no BTEC student is disadvantaged.

UPDATE: 05/08/2020: Exam results update.

The last few months have been unsettling and we appreciate the mixed emotions you might be feeling about not being able to sit your exams this year.

Special arrangements were put in place to ensure that the majority of students could receive calculated grades so you could continue to further study or employment as you’d planned. The grades you receive this year will carry the same value as any other year so you can compete on a level playing field with students from previous and future years.

For further information please read this handy student guide which explains more or watch the youtube video.

At Chelmsford College you will receive your results as soon as we have them. For BTEC Level 3 programmes it will be no later than 13th August either by post or your student email account. For BTEC Level 1 and 2 programmes and GCSE results it will be on 20th August via your student email account.

The Careers Advice Zone team are ready to support you with any queries you may have about your next steps. Please contact us on postresults@chelmsford.ac.uk or call us on 01245 293031. We would love help you with your future.

UPDATE: 08/07/2020: Our aim is to welcome all students (returning and new) to the College in September.

We want all our learners to enjoy a full, high quality College experience.

We continue to follow guidance from Public Health England and Government directives and have put in place a number of protective measures to ensure our environment is as safe and secure as possible.

As a College, we’ve taken all reasonable steps to protect learners, staff and others from coronavirus (COVID-19) within our college education setting.

These include smaller group sizes, meeting over a staggered timetable, online delivery of some of your study programme, practical use of College spaces (one-way systems, spaced and socially-distanced use of key areas), hand-sanitising stations, temperature checks and extra support whilst in College to remind, maintain and raise any concerns regarding the protective measures in place.

We continue to monitor the situation and assess our arrangements both for the prevention and the response to any future possible infections.

We are also aware of the mental impact the coronavirus has had on our students, parents and other stakeholders this year and so we are putting in place extra staff who will support students with any concerns when they arrive in September.

We look forward to welcoming you to Chelmsford College in September.

UPDATE: 26/06/2020: Supporting students and parents during COVID-19 | From Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President - BTEC and Apprenticeships

We understand that this has been an unsettling time for you, with the news of school/college closures and the cancellation of this summer’s exams/external assessments. We wanted to write to you to reassure you about how your BTEC results will be calculated this year. Read More

UPDATE: 10/06/2020: Reopening the college latest news

The college has continually followed guidance from the Department for Education on the procedures we must adhere to during lockdown. Most recently the government have announced that from the 15th June students from specific year groups should receive some face to face support from schools and colleges as part of a phased reopening.

This announcement is quite clear that Year 12 students or those studying a Level 3 qualification in their first year are to be welcomed back to receive support from their teachers. This would also apply to our Advanced Apprentices who attend college.

The college has been carefully planning how we safely invite our students back into college in very small groups whilst adhering to strict health and safety regulations. As part of this planning we have put in place strict social distancing measures and signage throughout our campuses. Next week beginning 15th June both college campuses will undergo deep cleaning to ensure that we have done everything to minimise any risks associated with COVID-19 before we invite you back in.

Week commencing 22nd June we will start to invite our students back into the college. Students will be contacted individually by their course tutors and dates and times arranged for face to face support and guidance. When students arrive on campus, they will be asked to undergo a temperature check as part of our risk assessment processes.

Alongside our year 12 students we may also need to invite a small group of students in to complete practical assessment in order to finish their qualifications and be awarded a certificate. Awarding Organisation guidance dictates who we invite in to carry out these assessments. These students will also be notified individually by their course tutors of when and where these assessments will need to take place.

UPDATE: 05/06/2020: Higher education and other options. Information for Level 3 students at Chelmsford College

This week the Careers Advice Zone Team would like to share their guide to Higher Education and Alternative Options. The guide is aimed at those students who are already taking or considering taking a level 3 course.

The booklet talks about all the options available to students who have completed their level 3. This includes Higher Education, Degree and Higher Apprenticeships, Gap Year Opportunities and Employment. There are many useful websites listed throughout the booklet. For the next few weeks the Team will be posting more information about higher education, apprenticeships and job seeking.

Download | Higher education and other options.
Information for Level 3 students at Chelmsford College

UPDATE: 13/05/2020: Following recent Government guidelines regarding educational establishments starting to support specific year groups, we are now in the process of considering how we will reopen our college to our Level 3 first year students who are the equivalent of Year 12 students in a school setting. Students, Parents and Carers should keep checking the website as further updates will follow regarding this.

UPDATE: 04/05/2020: SUPPORT AVAILABLE DURING COLLEGE CLOSURE

We recognise that during the College closure, extra strain may be put on you and/or your family. Please see below for a number of places you can access different types of support, including wellbeing support if you feel you or your family need it.

Download SUPPORT AVAILABLE DURING COLLEGE CLOSURE

UPDATE: 28/04/2020 : Consultation regarding assessment and awarding of Vocational and Technical Qualification

Following on from the last update where we detailed proposals that Ofqual laid out for awarding other general, vocational and technical qualifications in Summer 2020, they are now consulting further on what they outlined.

On Friday 24th April Ofqual published the consultation on the assessment and awarding of vocational and technical qualifications. I know that clarity on this issue is of great importance to all our students and parents alike, and this consultation will provide the clarity on how your results will be issued in these extraordinary times.

In the consultation Ofqual is seeking views from all stakeholders in education on several features of these new arrangements which will allow them to:

• provide a framework for qualifications that, depending on their purpose, sets out how an awarding organisation should calculate results or adapt or delay assessments
• allow awarding organisations to provide clarity to schools, colleges and training providers about what evidence they should gather and consider, and what evidence they will submit to the awarding organisations, where required to calculate a grade
• allow awarding organisations to make clear which learners should receive a calculated result (and how it will be awarded), or be required to complete an assessment
• enable awarding organisations to access, adapt, or build the systems needed to issue results this summer and adapt assessments where this is necessary

Ofqual are hopeful that, through these arrangements, the majority of students who planned to take exams and assessments this summer, for progression to either further or higher education, apprenticeships or employment, will receive a result calculated by awarding organisations or be able to take an adapted assessment.

The consultation will run for 2 weeks from 24 April 2020 to 8 May 2020 and the results of this will provide the framework of how the college will react to provide all our students with clarity of how your qualifications will be assessed and enable us to carry out these instructions to be able to give you the results you need for the next step in your careers.

We would like to reassure our students and parents that as we receive further information, we will update you as soon as possible.

To read further information regarding the proposals that Ofqual are suggesting and details regarding the consultation please click here.

UPDATE:17/04/2020: A message for all students due to take Vocational and Technical qualifications this college year.

Earlier this month the Secretary of State for Education announced exams and assessments would be cancelled this summer to help fight the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

We have recently received further correspondence from the government which was issued to Ofqual which sets out how they expect vocational and technical qualifications to be assessed and awarded in the coming weeks and months.

The government have recognised students taking qualifications, alongside or instead of GCSEs, AS and A levels, to progress to further or higher education urgently need to know what arrangements will be put in place for them. They have worked closely with the Department for Education, awarding organisations and regulators to develop an approach and have confirmed that these qualifications will be awarded a calculated result.

Calculated results will draw on a range of evidence, depending on the structure of the qualification. They may be based in part on trainer or tutor judgements of the result each student would most likely have achieved had they been able to complete their assessments in summer 2020.

The awarding organisation offering the qualification will use college assessment grade, combined with other relevant information (such as marks for completed assessments in some modules or units), to determine the most appropriate calculated result.

Ofqual are working with awarding organisations to finalise a list of qualifications that are in scope for learners to receive a calculated result. It will include many BTEC Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, and UAL Diplomas and qualifications included under the umbrella term 'Core Maths’.

The aim is for students to receive results alongside outcomes for GCSEs, AS and A levels reassuring them that results will be issued fairly and in time for them to move on as planned.

The college has been advised that it will be provided with detailed information regarding the qualifications in the coming days and weeks and we would like to reassure you that we will advise our students as soon possible after this point.

UPDATE: 06/04/2020: A message for all GCSE, AS and A level students this summer

Download | Letter to Students - Summer 2020 Grading

UPDATE:24/03/2020: In the interests of safety, we now have no option but to close our buildings | Moving to a full remote teaching model to support our learners and apprentices.

Following last night’s announcement by the Prime Minister which asks all people to stay at home except for shopping for basic necessities, daily exercise, medical needs and travelling to and from essential work, the decision has been taken to move to a full remote teaching model to support our learners and apprentices.

In the interests of safety, we now have no option but to close our buildings. The Princes Road campus will be closed by 11am this morning; the Moulsham Street campus will be closed by 2pm this afternoon and Dovedale Nursery will close from 6.00pm this evening.

We want to thank all our staff, learners, apprentices, parents, carers and employers for all your support over the last few weeks.

Our online learning model is now up and running successfully across the whole College so that learners and apprentices can be supported remotely. Learners in receipt of free school meals have been sent meal vouchers which will cover them for the next two weeks.

Further clarification on the situation with exams and controlled assessments has been issued. It is an emerging picture and not all questions have clear answers at this stage. The latest information about GCSEs and A' Levels can be found HERE. The latest information about vocational and technical courses can be found HERE.

Finally may we take this opportunity to wish you and your families well over the coming weeks. We are fully aware that for many, this is an anxious time and the last thing on your mind could be work or learning. Please remember we are here for you. Work colleagues and fellow students can be a source of support as well - stay in touch and look after each other as you would when you come into College every day.

UPDATE:19/03/2020: Supporting vulnerable students and those whose parents are key workers | Online resources to support the guided home learning model.

In light of Government announcements yesterday, we’re working through the implications and will endeavour to support both our vulnerable students and those whose parents are key workers.

For the foreseeable future, both campuses will remain open with reduced staffing, and we will endeavour to maintain some level of food provision. We intend to keep our student facing areas open, albeit on a reduced model.

We are working with the Government, Awarding Bodies and other national organisations to review the implication for students and apprentices currently studying for their qualifications and exams.

We continue to develop our online learning model to support our students and apprentices.

College staff will spend the rest of the week developing online resources to support the guided home learning model.

We ask all students and apprentices to continue studying remotely towards their qualifications, and will provide further information as soon as it is available.

Please remember to check your student emails to receive information from your Tutors with further instructions regarding how to access resources and continue your learning. To ensure we can continue to support part and full-time students and apprentices remotely, we have implemented Microsoft Teams for all classes. This means we can have clear communication with staff, students and apprentices and we can maintain continued learning and support.

All staff, students and apprentices will already have a Microsoft account to access teams as part of their College student/staff account. To gain further information students are required to login to their student email account. Full information on this can be found from the link below, or by clicking the "remote” tab at the top right of the College website.

UPDATE:18/03/2020: From Monday 23 March 2020 the College will move to an online learning model for the foreseeable future.

In light of the Government’s advice to limit social contact we are taking practical steps to keep our students and staff safe.

The remainder of this week will allow us to enable our move to online learning and learners and apprentices will be able to come into College on Thursday 19 March to talk with staff, collect their belongings and ensure they have everything they need.

On Friday 20 March the College will be closed to learners and apprentices, so that staff can put plans into action.

From Monday 23 March all face-to-face education and training delivery will be suspended and the College, as a whole will begin delivering teaching and learning via an online learning system instead. Workbased Tutors will also suspend employer and apprenticeship visits and remain in contact via other communication channels.

We want to be clear that this is not a College closure, there are clear expectations for learners and apprentices to continue to engage with their learning via the online systems and alternate communication channels which have been put in place.

We will continue to use an online learning delivery model for the foreseeable future and will update all learners, staff, parents, carers and other stakeholders through information posted on our College website.

If you are a learner or apprentice, and are scheduled to sit an exam during the period before Easter your Tutor will advise you of the latest updates.

We appreciate this is a very challenging time for our community and want to assure you that we remain fully committed to supporting you.

What this means for students:

Thursday - ask any questions, collect your belongings

Friday – self-directed study day (at home)

Monday 23 March - connect online to continue your studies and remain in contact with staff

Stay up-to-date by checking information on this page and via your student email address.