果冻传媒

Following yesterday鈥檚 (8 December) Government announcement on Covid-19 safety requirements from Monday 13 December, we鈥檙e sharing an update about what this means for staff and students at 果冻传媒.

Teaching and learning

We鈥檝e received which confirms that face to face teaching and learning arrangements should continue as planned until the end of term 1 (Friday 10 December) and next week for Foundation Studies students. We鈥檙e and are reminding them of the importance of continuing to follow guidance on face coverings and testing.

As we look ahead to term 2, the intention is that teaching and learning, and assessments, will go ahead as planned with the risk assessments and measures like lateral flow testing and face coverings that we already have in place to help ensure safety in face to face teaching and learning spaces. Again, this is in line with DfE guidance.

There is no change in social distancing guidance.

Working from home

In line with DfE guidance, staff who are not in teaching roles or roles supporting face to face teaching and learning, library, student support and campus services, research or lab activities should work from home where possible.

We鈥檙e asking Heads of Department and managers to make local decisions about facilitating this for their teams. HoDs/managers should get in touch with teams directly on local arrangements. Colleagues who need to continue to come onto campus to fulfil duties should also have this confirmed by managers.

We know ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and even minor changes like these can feel difficult and unsettling, especially as many people have started to adapt to returning to work on campus after a period of working away. As always, if you need support, please don鈥檛 hesitate to get in touch with Wellbeing Support Services, the Employee Assistance Programme, your HR Business Partner or your line manager. There is specific guidance available to managers on handling enquiries.

Christmas social gatherings

Social gatherings continue to be permitted under the new guidance. However, in light of the current situation we are cancelling the staff festive drinks reception planned for 15 December. You may wish to postpone social gatherings over Christmas if colleagues would feel more comfortable in doing this. Details on using the staff Christmas subsidy at a later date are on the Finance Office webpages.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our community is paramount. Our flexible planning approach and experience over the course of the pandemic means that, if circumstances do change, we can and will adapt quickly, and we鈥檙e very grateful for the support of colleagues in observing requirements and keeping everyone safe.

We will continue to review guidance and are committed to updating you as soon as we鈥檙e able to. We鈥檒l inform you of any changes via email and Insite and we鈥檙e working through the stay safe pages to ensure all information is updated. We're also working on FAQs.

Best wishes,

Internal Comms team