Update: Reopening the College
As of the 15th June 2020, Bournemouth & Poole College will be partially reopening its sites for a limited number of students. Every care has been taken by the College to plan for the safest and most effective return for students and staff.
This webpage will provide further information about the reopening and the guidelines the College have in place to ensure the safety of everyone on site.
Please note that plans are subject to the final decision of the Government, in regard to the reopening of schools and colleges.
We understand that this is an uncertain time for many people and we want to reassure you that the College is here to support you, both academically and personally. As such, we recognise that not all students may wish to return to our sites at the moment and that some might not be able to, in order to protect themselves or vulnerable family/household members.
Please be assured that attendance onsite will not be mandatory and students will not be penalised if they are not able to attend classes on site. Remote teaching will continue until the end of term and the College is here to support all students, both on and off campus.
A limited number of students will be asked to return to College on a revised timetable as of the week commencing Monday 15th June. These students will be contacted by their tutors or admin staff in advance.
It is vitally important that students only come into College on the days they have been asked to. This is so that we can ensure appropriate social distancing. Students who have not been asked to return, will continue to be taught through online learning.
A document outlining the College’s latest guidelines and social distancing measures has been created and shared with returning students.
In order to improve social distancing, the number of facilities that will be open at College will be kept to a minimum. Please not that our Lansdowne site will not be open on a Friday.
The main refectories will be open but will not be providing cooked meals. You will be able to purchase food but will not be able to sit at tables in the refectory to eat your food. The deli bars such as Taschum’s and Dr Vincent’s will be open as will the Costa Coffee branches at both sites.
Student support will be available onsite for any students who require it. There will also be a small IT presence. The Library will be closed but if you have books to return these can be handed in to Reception.
There will also be a number of other changes put in place to ensure the safety of members of the College and the wider community, and to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Full details will be provided on return to College, but these will include:
- Students will only be permitted on site for lessons or study that has been arranged, and where possible students should arrive just before and leave immediately after lessons.
- In order to minimise interaction between groups, different groups will be asked to use specific entrances and exits, follow directional arrows for traffic flow around buildings and only be allowed to use certain toilets.
Furthermore, in the interest of public health and in order to keep all members of the College community safe, we have updated our Managing Student Behaviour and Performance Policy
FAQs for returning to College
- You are pregnant.
- You have a lung condition (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis.)
- You have diabetes.
- You have a chronic kidney disease.
- You have a liver disease (such as hepatitis.)
- You have a condition affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.
- You have a condition that means you have a high risk of getting infections.
- You are taking medicine that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids.)
If you are exhibiting symptoms that indicate you may have Covid-19, then you should not attend College. If you are not sure as to the nature of your symptoms, then you should be cautious and seek advice from your GP or 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk/covid-19
If you are on-site and become unwell then you should report this to Duty Manager / Security. If you have driven or cycled into College, you should then leave site immediately and return home. If you attended via public transport, then you would need to be collected by a family member or other suitable alternative transport. While you are waiting to be collected, you should go to the on-site isolation rooms where arrangements will be made for collect you.
We have put the following safety measures in place for our returning students:
- We are only inviting in a small number of students at one time and we will limit the number of students in each classroom or workshop.
- We have marked out 2 metres safe distancing throughout the campuses and we will be operating a one-way system throughout our campuses which will be clearly signed.
- Breaks and lunch times will be staggered so not all students are out of classes at the same time.
- We will encourage all students and staff who are on campus to wash their hands regularly throughout the day.
- Electric hand driers will be disabled and instead we will have paper towels to dry hands.
- Smoke at all while on our campus. We have closed the smoking shelters to comply with social distancing.
- Chew gum while on our campuses.
- Spit while on our campuses.
- Make COVID-19 threats.
- Fail to comply with the Health and Safety measures we have put in place.
- Attend College if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Cough and sneeze without good hygiene practices.
- Congregate in large groups.
How can I return my Library Books?
You can drop your library books off using our self-service kiosk at our North Road or Lansdowne reception from 16th June between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. Please observe social distancing when you attend. The self-service return is situated to the left of the reception counter.
For eBooks, go to our catalogue at http://bounpo.cirqahosting.com, change to “Advanced” search and select “E-book” from the media type.
For online resources including journals, magazines, statistics and learning modules, search our eLibrary at https://my.bpc.ac.uk/mybpc/lrc/resources/elibrary/databases#a-z
For video streaming of documentaries and educational programmes from 60 broadcast TV and radio channels, access BoB at http://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand . Please note that reduced resolution of streamed media has resulted in a deterioration in quality.
I need help finding, accessing or referencing learning resources
Our team are here to help you get the best resources for your studies. Contact us for general queries including how to access resources, or ask to be transferred to one of our librarians for a more in-depth online skills session including selecting resources or referencing your work.
What about the Reading Challenge?
This will continue and we encourage you to take some time to relax with a book as part of your wellbeing. Although we do not have fiction books online, if you have (or can borrow) your own copy of a book that we have in our collection, this will count towards the Reading Challenge. Contact us to let us know when you have completed each challenge and we ensure your record is updated.
I need my books for longer. Can I extend my loans?
All loans have been automatically extended to 31st August, 2020. Books must be returned by that date to avoid fines. You can return books earlier by using the self-service returns facilities located in Reception at North Road, and at Lansdowne.
If you require your books beyond 31st August, please contact a member of staff to discuss your needs at lrcstaff@bpc.ac.uk or phone 01202 205803
Will I be charged a fine If my books are due for return when the College is closed?
Any existing fines as of 20th March will stand, but will be frozen and we will not be pursuing any fines over the shutdown. You will not incur any new fines during the shutdown, and all loans have been automatically renewed to 8th June.
Log into our catalogue at http://bounpo.cirqahosting.com with your student number and password (six digit date of birth) to check your loan status, or use the MyCirqa App (contact our help line if you need assistance)
How do I contact the LRC?
Phone: 01202 205803 (all LRC phone extensions will redirect to the help line)
Email: lrcstaff@bpc.ac.uk
Follow us on Twitter for daily updates @libraryBPC
Please be patient with us as we use work with home technology. If you cannot get through, leave a message with your name, student number and best method of contact and, we will get back to you as soon as possible. Stay safe.
The Careers Advice and Guidance Team can be contacted via adviceandguidance@bpc.ac.uk. Please email your name, student ID, and contact telephone number and someone will contact you.
North Road: Scheduled booked appointments will take place as normal via telephone/Skype.
Lansdowne: This team will continue to work from home and can be contacted via wellbeing@bpc.ac.uk. Students should leave their name, ID number, contact details and a member of the team will contact them. Members of the team will continue to respond to safeguarding issues, so students should telephone the safeguarding numbers.
If you need any support or you are worried outside of College opening hours and it is an emergency, call 999. If you or anyone you know has suicidal thoughts please contact Papyrus on 0800 068 4141 or the Samaritans on 116 123
Queries relating to student finance should be emailed to studentfinance@bpc.ac.uk and we will respond asap. Applications, together with relevant evidence should be scanned and emailed to studentfinance@bpc.ac.uk and a decision will be emailed back. If you are unable to scan documents please contact us and we will discuss further options with you. All childcare and bursary payments will continue to be paid as normal.
All enquiries should be sent through studentsunion@bpc.ac.uk or by phone 01202 205737. The team will continue to provide engagement opportunities and activities through the Student Experience social media platforms.
There will also be a member of the Safeguarding team on site during opening hours, should any safeguarding incidents arise. Any incidents should be reported to the Duty Manager in the first instance who will then liaise with the Safeguarding staff member.
Lansdowne and Apprentices - 07774974781
North Road and Fulcrum - 07714851103
Will continue to work remotely.
