Covid Risk Management Plan

In Wellbeing & Pastoral

Wellbeing Team
The Learning Centre
The Learning Centre 2 (TLC2)
The Wellbeing Centre
The role of the Tutor
Learning through Residential Life
Respectful Community & Safeguarding
COVID-19
- Covid Risk Management Plan

Photo by Nacho Garcia

Covid Risk Management Plan

Version 16: 26th August 2022

1. Introduction

Fundamental to a UWC education is the lived experience of bringing students together from around the world to live and learn together. Our deliberate diversity - cultural, national, religious, socio-economic - creates a unique opportunity to come face to face with the world and its challenges. It is for this reason that we are working within the prevailing legislation to provide as full a UWC experience for our students as can be permitted.

The UK operates under a devolved legislative system. As such, we are governed here at UWC Atlantic by Welsh regulations.

We are privileged to have such a glorious campus at our disposal. We are also privileged that we are a contained community and can control access. On 6th March the student bubble was disbanded meaning that students could now leave campus and participate in activities outside of the school as well as permitting more staff / student events to take place with less restrictions.

Following the Summer Break students will not be tested on arrival but will be asked to test should they display any of the listed symptoms (as per Welsh Government Guidance).

UWC Atlantic Guiding Principles for COVID-19 Response

With the Welsh authorities devolving most decision-making around the risk mitigation of COVID-19, the following principles will guide our actions through this period of uncertainty:

Acting with integrity and in support of our UWC values, at UWC Atlantic, we will:

Act to support the health, safety and wellbeing of all
Consider the most vulnerable in our community
Respect student voice and authentic responsibility in decision-making
Consultative decision-making with transparent communication
Maintain the UWC Atlantic learning experience
To have an awareness of the impact of our action on others
Fully comply with Public Health Wales regulations and respect the direction of the BSA, WISC and experts from within our community

This document sets out the College’s approach and controls which is also based on the latest guidance from the Welsh Government.

2. Areas of Risk

In the context of this document, the transmission and spread of Covid-19 is the overall risk associated with all operations of the College. This could lead to further risks, such as large infection rates on the campus or essential services being at risk due to staff isolating as a result of the virus.

The Welsh Government has laid out a summary of preventative measures for schools and settings - see section 5. This also lays out the requirement for schools and Colleges to assess its operations and reduce risks and that these risks have to be carefully balanced with the negative health and wellbeing impacts of being out of school whilst reducing risk to 'as low as reasonably possible’.

In all cases, all staff and students must follow all rules and regulations regarding the wearing of appropriate PPE (e.g. face covering), sanitisation and social distancing.

2.1 - School operations (students)

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

Students will be free to leave the campus. A full set of rules and limitations has been communicated
Mask wearing for staff and students in indoor spaces is still recommended but not mandated.
All large gatherings (in person) can take place (including council meetings, SOSH, Assemblies etc.)
Teaching, Learning and Co-curricular activities will remain providing the risks are managed accordingly (e.g. conferences, project week, off site trips)
Students are allowed to enter each others houses and dorms (max 6 per dorm room)
Any person who shows signs and symptoms of Covid 19 must present themselves to a staff member who will perform a rapid test (LFT)
Covid Positive students will be isolated (where possible) in separate spaces
A full cleaning regime is in place to keep areas, common touch points and surfaces clean and sanitized
Regular communication with staff and students to update them on procedures, rules and updates

2.1.1 Students Returning to Campus (who are in/will require isolation)

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

Students who arrive to campus and are showing any of the signs/symptoms of covid-19 will be be tested
Covid positive students will be isolated in a designated space for the required duration (min 5 days) and tested regularly during this period and before they are released
During this time, staff entering the space will wear appropriate PPE (e.g. mask, visor, gloves, apron) and anyone entering the house will only do so for essential cleaning, maintenance and wellbeing checks
All meals will be delivered to the student.

2.2 - Catering

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

Feeding in Dining Hall

There are currently no restrictions on the dining hall

Feeding Students in Covid -19 isolation

Confirmed or suspected - Covid Case feeding in Isolation

Staff member must not enter the personal areas (eg dorms)
Staff members must wear appropriate PPE.
Staff members to leave the food outside the access door to the area, knock on the door/radio/telephone/make known food has arrived
Staff member to dispose of PPE safely immediately after use

2.3 - Pastoral and Boarding Setting

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

A comprehensive set of rules and procedures for students has been shared and reinforced through ongoing house meetings between staff and students
Cleaning will continue in the houses to ensure that spaces are clean and maintained appropriately

2.4 - The Provision of Medical Services

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

Dealing with Covid symptoms

The medical provision is overseen by health care professionals including a registered nurse and partnership with a local medical practitioner

Positive Cases

Students are isolated in a designated space (where possible)
The medical provision is overseen by health care professionals including a registered nurse and partnership with a local medical practitioner

2.5 - Wellbeing and Activities

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

Students in isolation will be allocated a time and area to obtain fresh air and space to walk

2.6 - Teaching and Learning

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

The wearing of masks is recommended but not mandated
A clear regime of sanitisation is in place both pre and post teaching
Rooms to be ventilated regularly
Where access is narrow or compromised, teachers / staff will exercise due care and attention to wait for the appropriate time to avoid a compromise to their social distancing
Teachers/staff have established protocols for any specific areas of higher risk or concern
Expectations, procedures and protocols are clearly communicated to all (teacher/staff/student)

2.7 - Arrangement for staff

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

The wearing of masks is recommended but not mandated

A full set of rules and guidance for staff has been shared including how and when to isolate should a staff member have any symptoms of Covid-19 or be in close contact with a positive case.

These follow the current Welsh Government Regulations on Isolating.

2.8 - Campus Access and Visitor Expectations

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

All visitors to campus must sign into reception to confirm their Covid status
A clear set of guidelines and rules has been shared and communicated to all staff and residents
Meetings and events should take place in larger, well ventilated spaces (where possible)
All residents and visitors must observe the current Coronavirus regulations (as per arrangements for staff)

2.9 - Impacted Essential Operations

Summary of Control Measures Put in Place

Provision of First Aid

Updated training and guidance shared with all staff
First aid kits have been provided with modified equipment and additional PPE

Fire Evacuation

In the event of a fire, the safety of all is more critical than covid safety, therefore, evacuation must take priority over seeking a face covering
Students who are in a place of isolation (covid-19 related) should already have a face covering on them and therefore would be expected to wear this during the evacuation

Entering residences to deal with emergency and planned maintenance (student personal spaces)

Top Desk system used to decide if the job / task is essential to be carried out
Staff to wear full relevant PPE (Masks, Gloves, Visors and Aprons) when in personal spaces of students during any isolation period.
Works carried out when students are not present

3. Compliance

See sub-bullet points below for further information

3.1 Students

Students are kept informed and updated on the current rules and regulations regarding the protection from and the management of the spread and transmission of Covid-19. Tutors, House mentors and other staff who are in student facing roles help to remind students of the procedures and supervise those higher areas of risk.

Students who break rules or do not follow procedures will be dealt with via the relevant disciplinary procedures and if breaches are made that compromise the safety and security of the College and/or community then these will be taken very seriously.

Students are encouraged to report any incidents of non-compliance to a staff member and/or report using the [email protected] email address (See 4.2)

3.2 Staff

Staff are kept informed and updated on the current rules and regulations regarding the protection from and the management of the spread and transmission of Covid-19.

Staff who break rules or do not follow procedures will be dealt with via the relevant disciplinary procedures and if breaches are made that compromise the safety and security of the College and/or community then these will be taken very seriously.

Staff are encouraged to report any incidents of non-compliance to their line manager and/or report using the [email protected] email address (See 4.2)

3.3 Contractors and Site Visitors (essential operations)

Staff and Students are encouraged to report any incidents of non-compliance to the Welcome Team and/or report using the [email protected] email address (See 4.2)

3.4 Residents

Residents have been provided with relevant information and guidance that sets out the expectations for people living on campus. In addition, there is an informal whatsapp group that keeps members of the residential community informed and up to date, as well as providing help and support when needed for those on campus. For more information see section 2.10

4. Communications

See sub-bullet points below for further information

4.1 Covid Task Force

The Covid Task Force (CTF) currently meet as and when required to discuss issues, resolve questions and make recommendations and decisions for the day to day safe operation of the College regarding its Covid-19 protocols. The group is made up of relevant staff (including those from the Leadership Team and Management Group) and student representatives with additional staff and students invited on a needs basis to discuss relevant topics and subject matter.

Notes and actions from the meeting are taken and saved as a record of actions and decisions made.

4.2 Covid Comms

‘Covid Comms’ is the College's internal and external communication vehicle, publishing announcements, updates and information in a timely manner to staff, students, parents and relevant stakeholders when needed. During key times, this communication is scheduled more frequently and then the frequency amended to ensure that everyone is kept informed and up to date.

In addition, the following email address: [email protected] was set up as our primary way for any staff, student, parent or stakeholder to get in touch with the College should they have a specific question relating to Covid-19. The mailbox is monitored and appropriate advice is sought from within the College (pending subject matter and expertise) and a response is provided and logged for reference. This keeps our communication consistent and concise.

5. Links Section and References

Welsh Government Regulations

https://gov.wales/coronavirus

Operational Guidance for Schools (updated June 2022)

https://gov.wales/school-operations-coronavirus

Public Health Wales

https://phw.nhs.wales/

NHS Wales

https://www.wales.nhs.uk/

Boarding Schools Association

https://www.boarding.org.uk/

Care Inspectorate Wales