Coronavirus Updates

Official Information

As the situation is complex and may evolve, we recommend using the following resources to stay up-to-date with the latest advice: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

If you are unwell and not able to attend College please report your absence through the normal channels outlined here.

Lateral test packs are available for students at the Ipswich & Suffolk Rural Learning Curves and from Main Reception at On The Coast.

Latest SNC Update: Wednesday 5th January 2022

Happy new year to all our learners and their parents. Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2022.

This message is designed to update you on the current College operational procedures in light of the COVID pandemic and recent Government announcements.

The College is open for normal business and lessons are still taking place on a face-to-face basis. This is in line with Government guidance, which has specified that, where possible, academic institutions are to remain open for learners and normal learning activities should continue to take place. This includes the January exam series for a number of course, where these national external assessments are due to commence on 10th January.

However, we are seeing increasing numbers of staff and learners who are needing to self-isolate as a result of positive lateral flow tests at home. Whilst we will make every effort to maintain our services, staff and student absences are inevitably causing disruption to our normal offer. We also expect this disruption to continue throughout the early months of the new year, possibly getting worse as we move further into January.

Therefore, under these circumstances, we may have to adapt our normal practice to remain operational. This may include moving some provision online, where necessary, or providing alternative staff cover where normal Lecturers are unavailable. These decisions will be made on a course-by-course basis and where this shift needs to happen, we will ensure that this is communicated to you all as quickly and efficiently as possible by each relevant curriculum area’s Director and or Head.

Given the challenges, the inevitable disruption and the speed at which the situation is constantly changing, I would ask for your patience if and when temporary arrangements need to be made, which may well be communicated at quite short notice. I would also ask for your forgiveness if our service falls below the expected standard. Rest assured, these are unprecedented and challenging circumstances, with all staff doing their absolute best to mitigate the impact of any potential disruption.

Should you need any further guidance around COVID protocols, including the mandatory wearing of face coverings whilst in College (including during lessons), testing protocols and isolation periods, please refer to the documents & links section of this page. Additionally, if you need to contact anyone at the College with more specific enquiries, please try and do this via e-mail to info@suffolk.ac.uk

Kind regards

The Executive Team

Suffolk New College

COVID-19 Documents & Links