Latest COVID-19 Update: 6th January 2021
Following the Government’s announcement of a national lockdown on 4th January, the Chamber will now deliver the majority of lessons and one to one sessions online to students and apprentices.
The guidance below covers Adult Learning, Traineeships, and Study Programme and Apprentice students. This Guidance will be used in the event of further lockdowns or restrictions to face to face delivery.
Where you are studying a practical course such as Hairdressing or Construction your tutor will be in touch to discuss how you can continue your learning from home, and where appropriate will arrange for the relevant resources to be delivered to your home.
Students studying on our Full Time Study Programmes in Accountancy and Digital Marketing will be able to access assessments from home, and where possible work placements will continue with you completing your placement at home.
Students on our Fast Track to Apprenticeship Programme will access training from home and you will access daily live teaching from your Career Coach.
Within our Apprenticeship programme where we cannot complete assessments remotely we will continue to provide face to face delivery at your place of employment or at the Chamber in line with government guidance.
Circumstances may include observations, assessments or to meet any specific needs you may have. All face to face assessment will take place in a Covid secure environment.
Click here to find our latest risk assessment
Accessing Learning from Home
Online learning will take place using virtual platforms including Teams, Zoom, Google classroom and hangout. Your course tutor will contact you prior to your course starting to give you the joining instructions you need.
If you are having any issues accessing online learning please contact your course tutor who will assist you. If you are having issues accessing IT equipment please also speak to your course Tutor who can advise you on the support available to you.
It is vital that you keep yourself safe whilst on line, our keeping safe guidance can be found here.
SEND, Vulnerable Students and those whose Parents/ Careers are Critical Workers
From Tuesday 5th January 2021, all vulnerable students can continue to learn in the Chamber with support from your Career Coach. If you feel this applies to you please get in touch with your Career Coach who will advise on next steps.
Attending virtual training with St Helens Chamber
Before attending virtual training through St Helens Chamber we ask that you read what we expect from you to ensure the best learning outcomes:
• Please be in an appropriate environment for your learning with minimum disruptions.
• Please do not attempt to private message other people in the group.
• Please contribute to the class and stay engaged with the tutor.
• Where possible please have your camera on.
• Please be on time for your learning and communicate all absences and lateness prior to the training starting.
• Please do not smoke, vape or eat while on the training you will have breaks to do this.
• Please do not share the training links to anyone else that has not booked via the chamber.
• Please do not use inappropriate or offensive language
Bursary and Free Meals
We will ensure learners who are eligible for free meals and Bursary continue to receive this support. Payments will be made into learner’s bank accounts as long as you have attended your online training as required. If you have any queries or concerns regarding free meals and bursary please speak to your Career Coach /Tutor.
Wellbeing and Safeguarding
The Chamber is aware that this may be a worrying time for yourself and your family, and we are here to support you.
If you have any concerns about feeling safe please contact a safeguarding officer or speak to your Career Coach / Tutor
Our safeguarding officers are listed below and can be contacted via the central safeguarding inbox: safeguarding@sthelenschamber.com
- Maria Lawton
- Ken Greensmith
- Laura Brogden
- Ruby O’Brien
- Rebecca Hitchen
- Jack Parker
Managing and Reporting Cases of COVID – 19
If you are attending the Chamber for face to face delivery, it is vital that you inform your Tutor if you become unwell and experience symptoms of COVID (a new, continuous cough, high temperature or loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell), we will send you home immediately to self-isolate, in line with Government guidance.
If you test positive for COVID, you must inform your tutor immediately. If you are awaiting test results you must stay at home until you get a clear result, if you test positive you must follow Government Guidance.
Advice for Students who need to self-Isolate.
St Helens Chamber aims to ensure no students learning is interrupted as a result of having to self-isolate. If you need to self-isolate please contact your Career Coach or Tutor who will advise you how to access training remotely.
Reporting Absences.
You must make every effort to attend your training either face to face or online. If you are unable to attend you must contact your course tutor at least 15 minutes prior to the course starting, explaining reason for absence and length of time you anticipate being absent for.
