Higher education: new national restrictions guidance

  

 

Read this guidance to find out how the new national restrictions affect the Higher Education (HE) sector. It should be read in conjunction with Reopening buildings and campuses, which sets out how HE providers can minimise risks during coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

Stay at home

Under the new national restrictions from 5 November, the government will be requiring everyone to stay at their current home, except for specific purposes. This means students should not leave their term-time address to return home between 5 November and 2 December. We are asking students to remain at university and not to travel home before Thursday 5 November, to allow all students who are able to, to benefit from face-to-face teaching and COVID-secure educational facilities, and to prevent the increased risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19). We all have a responsibility, and all our actions affect the lives of others. This is in keeping with the current restrictions on moving between their permanent home and student home during term time, on a permanent or temporary basis, subject to limited exemptions set out in law.

 

As is the case for the rest of the population, students may only leave home for specific reasons, including:

 

for education

for work, for example if you cannot work from home

for exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household, or on your own with one person from another household

for medical reasons or appointments

to escape injury or harm (including mental health crises)

to shop for food and essentials

to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer

The national restrictions are for 4 weeks. We will publish further guidance shortly on how students can return home safely at the end of term.

 

A number of students commute from their family home to a HE provider. For some providers, “commuter students” represent a significant proportion of the student body. Such students can still travel to their HE provider for educational purposes but should make sure that they take account of all public health guidance on safer travel, so that they and their fellow passengers stay as safe as possible.

 

Student and staff safety

Student learning can continue as planned while the national restrictions are in place. Universities have worked hard to put in place measures, following guidance on reopening buildings and campuses in higher education to ensure that teaching and learning is provided in COVID-secure environments, and we have not seen evidence of increased transmission within these environments.

 

Providers will wish to undertake new risk assessments for the remainder of the term to evaluate whether it is appropriate to move more learning online. However, the government recognises the central importance of face-to-face teaching, including for the mental health and wellbeing of students, and expects this to continue where it can be done safely.

 

Providers are autonomous institutions. They will make informed decisions (in consultation with their local public health team) on the right blend of face-to-face and online teaching that is suitable for each course, based on the latest public health guidance, taking account of the need to minimise risk to staff and students.

 

Practical learning will comprise a varying proportion of different courses, depending on the nature of the course. It will be for providers to judge whether extra mural studies, and placements, can take place now, or should be deferred until a later date. This decision will depend on the cooperation of businesses and other settings, and will require providers to liaise with them over the provision of a COVID-secure environment.

 

Existing guidance on reopening buildings and campuses in higher education required universities to complete a risk assessment before welcoming students and staff back to their sites. We encourage transparency by sharing the outcomes of these assessments with staff for discussion. We also expect these to be kept under review and up to date.

 

Some people with particular characteristics may be at comparatively increased risk from coronavirus (COVID-19), as set out in the COVID-19: review of disparities in risks and outcomes report. Individuals with concerns should speak to providers to discuss the measures the provider is putting in place to reduce the risks. Providers should try as far as practically possible to accommodate relevant additional measures.

 

Face coverings

We have previously advised that face coverings should be worn as an additional risk mitigation measure by students, staff and visitors, where social distancing is difficult to maintain outside of teaching situations, such as in corridors and communal areas. Additionally, for the period of the national restrictions, we advise that face coverings should be used in all HE learning environments, providing the use of face covering does not impact teaching and learning. Some individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings, and we expect staff and students to be sensitive to those needs.

 

Online and in person tuition

Universities should continue to agree with their local public health teams on the appropriate balance of online and in person teaching, based on the overall assessment of the public health risks, including to the mental health of students and the status of local outbreaks.

 

A great deal of work has been, and continues to be, undertaken by providers to ensure the learning environment is COVID-safe. We would expect face to face teaching to continue under the new restrictions where providers are able to do so in a COVID-secure way.

 

The government has been clear throughout the pandemic that providers must maintain the quality of their tuition. If a provider decides to move to increased online learning, they must continue to comply with registration conditions relating to quality and standards. This means ensuring that courses provide a high quality academic experience, students are supported, and achieve good outcomes, and standards are protected.

 

The HE regulator in England, the Office for Students (OfS) is taking very seriously the potential impacts on teaching and learning. On 9 October, the OfS published a statement setting out measures it is taking to monitor digital teaching quality. It is actively monitoring those providers which have moved provision predominantly online due to local coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, to ensure they maintain the quality of their provision. The OfS will investigate if it has any concerns.

 

Socialising

Everyone, including students, must follow guidance for the New national restrictions from 5 November. To keep yourself, and those around you, safe, it is vital that we limit physical contact as much as possible. This means that you must not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household - meaning the people you live with, or in your support bubble.

 

A household in halls of residence is normally considered to be those students living in the same flat, or on the same floor, who share a kitchen and/or bathroom, rather than an entire block. Accommodation providers should make clear which kitchen(s) and/or bathroom(s) are intended for each household’s use.

 

A support bubble is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home (known as a single-adult household), and one other household of any size. Households in that support bubble can still visit each other, stay overnight, and visit outdoor public places together. You should not invite anyone else from outside of your ‘household’ or support bubble into your halls of residence or private accommodation.

 

You can exercise, or visit outdoor public places, with the people you live with, your support bubble, or one person from another household.

 

Outdoor public places include:

Catered halls

Catering services for catered halls can continue to provide that service, where there are no alternative facilities available to students: for example, where a student has no alternative place where they can eat or prepare food. All other catering outlets on campus would need to follow the takeaway only model, and you should take your food home to the place where you live to consume it.

 

Financial hardship

Students experiencing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) should contact their higher education provider. If a student’s financial situation has changed then they should contact the Student Loans Company as they may be eligible for a reassessment. Many universities and colleges also have specific funds, bursaries and scholarships available, including specifically for care leavers.

 

Wellbeing support for students and staff

Protecting students’ mental health and wellbeing must remain a priority. We recognise that many students are facing additional mental health challenges and we expect providers to continue to support their students, including regular communication, and ensuring services are accessible from a distance. We encourage students to stay in touch with their provider’s student support and welfare teams, as these services are likely to continue to be an important source of support.

 

Staying at home for a prolonged period can be difficult, particularly if there is no access to outside space. We understand social support is valuable for mental health and wellbeing during this challenging time. We encourage students to keep in touch with family and friends over the phone and on social media during this period of restriction. We would also strongly encourage them to engage with virtual activities arranged by listof universities in uk and students’ union.

 

We recognise that many students and staff are facing additional mental health challenges, due to the disruption to study and working practices, and uncertainty caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). Students struggling with their mental health at this time can access support via the NHS and online resources from Public Health England, along with support from mental health charity Mind. All students can also contact their institution for support, and we expect providers to make this process clear and simple for students.