From Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience

As we approach the end of term, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all staff from across the University for your hard work and commitment during this challenging time. This has been an incredibly busy term for everyone. It has been wonderful to see staff working together, in such difficult circumstances, to deliver a really positive experience for all our students.

Asymptomatic Testing

I would like to remind you that asymptomatic testing is still available at both our campuses.

Medway-based staff can book a test at four centres across Medway, one of which is at the Deep End on campus. You must book a test in advance. Please ensure you take your booking confirmation and face covering with you to your test. You will also need to confirm your critical worker status by showing your staff ID or a letter from the University. From today, others in your household will also be able to book a test. They only need to bring a photo of your staff ID, or letter, as well as proof of residency as confirmation of eligibility.

If you would prefer to be tested at Canterbury, our Asymptomatic Testing Site is open until 15 December, and appointments are still available so please do book should you wish to get tested. Testing at the Canterbury site is available to staff but not to anyone else in your household.

Please remember these tests are only if you are asymptomatic, i.e., have no symptoms of Covid-19. If you do have symptoms, please book a PCR test with the NHS online. Please then follow our Self-isolate, Test, Inform procedure for staff.

Students’ staggered return to campus

Many of you will have seen in the news that the Government is recommending students’ return to campus in a staggered fashion in the New Year and we will be will be offering asymptomatic testing from 4 January 2021. This is to ensure all students and staff can be tested for Covid-19 before their face-to-face teaching begins.

Students timetables for the Spring term will be published on 14 December. Based on the date of their first face-to-face session, we will be advising students to arrive during a recommended date window. This will allow them to be tested for Covid-19 before they commence with their face-to-face sessions. Students and staff will be emailed regarding the staggered arrival dates next week.

I would like to stress that students’ arrival dates are recommended, not compulsory. We know that some students will have made alternative travel arrangements and will therefore return to us at a different time. Some may be travelling from overseas; others will need to come back earlier for work commitments, or may have stayed with us over the whole of the winter break. Whenever their arrival time, all our students will be supported to return to campus in the safest way possible for our whole University community.

Thank you again for your dedication to our students.

Richard

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience