Back Back

Student Update: Guidance for teaching and on-campus examinations following new Covid-19 measures

10/12/2021
Student Update: Guidance for teaching and on-campus examinations following new Covid-19 measures

Please be aware that this information was shared with students by email and correct at the time of sending. For the latest Covid-19 guidance, please visit our coronavirus webpages: www.wlv.ac.uk/coronavirus. If you are a student who has a query or needs support, please log a helpcall with ASK@WLV in e:Vision (www.wlv.ac.uk/evision).

Communication sent by email to all students on Friday, 10 December 2021. 

Following our communication Wednesday evening, which covered the Prime Minister's press conference announcing further Plan B measures due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, we have now received further guidance for universities.

This update provides information on what the new advice means for students before the festive break and on-campus examinations, which are due to take place in early January. 

Teaching on campus before the winter break

The University will continue to deliver face to face teaching and keep all resources such as libraries, catering outlets and student support services open. 
 
The government guidance states:

"The Government recognises the importance of not disrupting the education of children and young people and is prioritising keeping education settings open under Plan B. We therefore expect education settings to remain open for face-to-face teaching as planned."
 
We are confident that our campuses are as safe as possible, and we continue to work within the guidelines set out by the Government and our local health protection teams, as we have always done. 
 
Please be assured that our on-campus facilities remain open, including the libraries and study spaces. On Thursday, 23 December, some University facilities will close or operate reduced opening hours for the festive break. You can find more information here: www.wlv.ac.uk/LightTheWay.

Examinations on campus in January 2022

Given the risk of escalating restrictions and ensuring students can effectively prepare themselves for their assessments in January, we have decided to move on-campus examinations to an online alternative where possible. Please note this may not be possible for examinations where there is a requirement from a professional body.

If you are due to sit an on-campus examination in January, you will receive a further communication from Registry next week, confirming whether the exam will go ahead or an alternative has been set.

Alternative assessments will be published via Canvas, so please regularly check your module pages for updates. Please continue to check your University email to stay up to date with the latest information.

Information about your alternative assessment will be shared with you as soon as possible. I want to thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. This decision has been made to ensure that there will be no delay to your assessments should we face further restrictions in January and that you have time to prepare.

Plans for Semester 2

I appreciate that you will be keen to understand the plans for teaching next year as we move into Semester 2, which begins on Monday, 24 January. I can confirm that, as previously planned, we expect all students to return to on-campus study for Semester 2 unless there is a significant change in UK government guidance.

As always, we are committed to keeping you informed and will write to you again with a further update, should this be the case.

Safety on campus

Face-coverings

Yesterday, the Government released new guidance for wearing face coverings in public settings. From Friday 10 December, face-coverings will be mandatory in most indoor settings, such as libraries, shops, and public transport. There will be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking or exercising. For that reason, face masks will not be required in hospitality settings.
 
We ask that all students, staff, and visitors who are not exempt wear a face-covering when on campus. This includes: 
  • Communal areas, e.g. libraries, corridors, stairwell and catering outlets 
  • Teaching settings, e.g. labs, workshops, classrooms and lecture theatres. 
  • Office spaces, e.g. shared offices, Faculty Student Services and lecturer offices. 
You should wear a face-covering when you are moving around these areas. When you are seated, and there is plenty of space around you, for example, in a classroom, you may wish to remove your face covering, if preferred.   

Regular Covid-19 testing  

Students should continue to test twice weekly at home with lateral flow device (LFD) test kits or at an in-person facility three to four days apart. Test results should be reported online to NHS Test and Trace whether positive, negative or void.  
 
If you get a positive LFD test result should self-isolate and book a confirmatory PCR.  
 
Visit our Testing webpage for more information.

Isolation and contact tracing 

The current guidance on contact tracing and isolation remains in place - which means that close contacts of a positive case should take PCR tests but do not need to isolate unless they are over 18 and not fully vaccinated. The exception is for close contacts of suspected or confirmed Omicron cases, who will be asked to isolate for ten days. 

Please be aware that being fully vaccinated means 14 days have passed since your second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine given by the NHS.
 
You can help protect our community by downloading the official NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app. It's the fastest way of knowing when you're at risk from coronavirus both on campus and when you're out in the community. 

Support for students

I understand that further Covid-19 restrictions will be difficult after everything you have already been through during your time at university. If you are struggling and need help now, there are resources on our mental health and wellbeing webpages. 
 
Otherwise, your Faculty Student Services should be the first point of call to access help and advice, and the easiest way to contact them is by the e:Vision helpdesk.   
 
All students can access online mental health and wellbeing support 24/7 through Togetherall – an online community monitored by trained professionals. If you need advice or extra help, please check our self-help resources webpage or complete the mental health and wellbeing support registration form.     
 
Please remember that if you are struggling financially, hardship funding is available.
Find out more about the student support services available to you here: www.wlv.ac.uk/support.

We will continue to assess the ongoing situation in relation to Covid-19 and the Omicron variant, review any emerging guidance from the Government guidance and our local health protection teams and be ready to make any adaptations if necessary.

Thank you, and stay safe.
 
Professor Julia Clarke
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
 

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

Share this release

Related Stories