Watch how Northampton College has been adapted to be Covid-safe when students return

A college in Northampton that will welcome back students in September has released a video describing what will be different.

Northampton College has implemented a number of new measures to make sure the campus is Covid-secure and that students are safe.

From temperature checks, to mandatory face coverings and staggered start times, students will need to adapt to the new rules.

And while the college has been closed, staff have been working behind the scenes to implement a one-way system, separate stairs for each direction and strict social distancing guidelines.

The college is also likely to feature a ‘blended learning’ programme from next month, combining classroom-based study and working from home, meaning the number of students on campus at any one time can be limited.

Principal Pat Brennan-Barrett said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to rethink everything about the way we operate, from how we manage students’ learning to the way we move around the building.

“It is an enormous logistical challenge and we have painstakingly gone through absolutely everything to ensure we have a C-secure campus in place for September.

“No stone has been left unturned in our mission to make our students safe and we are confident we now have a ‘best in class’ solution that will provide reassurance for students, parents and staff alike.

“It has been one of the most challenging periods the education sector has ever faced, with disruption to learning on a previously unimaginable scale, but by embracing technology and thinking on our feet we have come through it and are now preparing to adapt to even more changes for the new term.

“The work done to ensure students were able to continue with their education throughout lockdown with remote learning solutions was incredible and everyone in the college community has rolled their sleeves up and met the challenge head-on.

“It’s been a real team effort and now we’re ready to go again.”

Although the video shows what the Booth Lane campus will look like, work is also going on to make sure the Lower Mounts and Daventry campuses are ready too.

The college is also offering virtual advice sessions for students unsure of their future following GCSE results day.

More information about the sessions can be found on the college’s website.

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