When will staff (support and teaching) be expected to return to working on campus?
 
We are working across the College to plan for the start of the new session 2020/21. We are planning for a blended approach to teaching and learning, with some online and some face-to-face on campus delivery from the beginning of term, week commencing 7th Sept 2020. In order to ensure it is safe for our staff to return to campus the College is currently assessing all spaces across the campus to look at how many staff and students can safely be on campus at any one time.
 
We have planned for implementing social distancing guidelines as we will need to have reduced numbers on campus on return. Guidance will be provided to all staff and will be discussed when they return to campus week commencing 31st August 2020. The health, safety and wellbeing of all staff is our main priority for producing this guidance.
 
How will the College ensure it is safe for staff to return to campus?
 
Please be reassured that we are following government advice and guidance when making all decisions and we will not welcome any staff or students to our campus until it is safe to do so.
 
Risk assessments specific to the campus and an operational guidance document have been prepared with our Health and Safety consultants to ensure we have the appropriate control measures in place for your safe return.  More detail will be provided in pre-course delivery meetings. You will be required to complete short prestart training courses.
 
Work has been completed and is ongoing to make sure it is safe for our buildings to reopen.
 
I will need to use public transport to get to work – will this be safe?
 
Current government guidance covers how to travel safely to and from campus and includes information on sustainable travel options. You should follow government guidance at all times when using public transport.
 
What will be expected of me when I return to campus?
 
 
Prior to returning to campus all staff will be asked to complete a personal health questionnaire. The questionnaire is very straightforward and will only be used to ensure we have considered all control measures to keep you safe when you return to work.
 
In line with the government guidance, please do not come to campus and self-isolate if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
 
Symptoms include: –
• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
 
Upon arrival to the campus staff must undertake a temperature check. If you have a temperature of 38C or more, you will be asked to leave the campus. You should follow government guidance and stay at home for 10 days from the start of developing symptoms and arrange to be tested.
 
Will campuses be cleaned more thoroughly and regularly to help keep staff and students safe?
 
The College’s new cleaning protocol is in line with guidance from Public Health, the World Health Organisation and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure the appropriate level of cleaning and hygiene response is applied across all campus facilities.
 
To support our enhanced cleaning protocols students and staff will asked to clean down all shared equipment pre and post use and not to share personal items with colleagues or students.
 
What does blended learning mean in practice?
 
Guidance is currently being collated to aid teaching staff with delivering courses from the start of the next session. Due to the necessary introduction of social distancing measures some academic aspects of courses will be taught online for the commencement of term, with practical aspects being delivered on campus to smaller groups where it is safe to do so. We are also operating a tri-semester delivery model to help with delivery of practical aspects of courses until further notice and in line with future government guidance.
 
Will staff receive training to help with the new delivery of teaching methods?
 
Our staff training programme has been developed to support delivery for the new session 2020/21. From late August more training will be available to staff to ensure they have the skills and resources required to provide online teaching and support to our students.
 
Will PPE equipment be provided to staff?
 
Risk assessments have highlighted that due to the practical nature of our classes there will be occasions where you cannot maintain social distancing with students. All steps will be taken to minimise this interaction by using screens and planning the tasks to avoid face to face and skin to skin contact.
 
When you must work within 2m of a student we will require you to wear a face covering and face shield and the student will wear a face covering, this type of interaction will be kept to a minimum.
 
Any PPE required within our campus will be provided and in line with government requirements.
 
Government guidance does not make face coverings mandatory in college, however we will be encouraging their use in all communal areas and in all classes.
 
The college recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Face Covering Exempt Card and supports individuals who cannot wear a face covering due to underlying health issues. If you have any concerns please get in touch with your line manager.
 
Are students aware of the plans for the new 2020/21 session?
 
A Communications plan has been developed to ensure we are keeping all new and returning students up-to-date with progress on plans for the new term and to support them in the process of becoming a Riverside Music College student. All key updates will be provided to students by the Student Services. You can see all student communications on our website and VLE platforms.
 
Where do Staff go if they need support?
 
Our Management team will provide a support service to all new and returning staff.
 
I am currently shielding and I’m not sure when it will be safe for me to come into campus, what should I do?
 
Your health and safety is our main priority. Where necessary RMC will carry out occupational risk assessments with staff who have highlighted underlying health conditions in their medical questionnaire and take appropriate measures.
 
Have staff been involved in creating the new plans for the beginning of new 2020/21 session?
 
All staff were involved in developing our current approach to remote delivery, assessment and support. This forms the basis of any necessary changes for the beginning of term. Staff engagement will continue to play a key role in shaping the future priorities of our College into the new term and beyond.
 
What will the college do if someone who has been on campus tests positive for COVID-19?
 
We need everyone to play their part to ensure they do not come to campus with symptoms, they practice good hygiene and socially distance from each other. If someone develops symptoms while on campus, we have robust procedures developed to safely remove the individual from the campus in a way that will reduce the spread of the virus. Some areas may have to be isolated to allow us to implement our enhanced cleaning protocol. We would only reopen the area when it is safe to do so.
 
If the college suspects an outbreak of COVID-19 on the campus we will take the necessary steps in line with local NHS board Health Protection Team (HPT) advice to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
 
How do I keep up-to-date with progress on planning?
 
We will continue to provide regular updates to staff regarding future progress. Please continue to check your emails, RMC website and Social Media platforms for the latest information and advice.
 
I have read the above and still have questions, what should I do?
 
We have tried to provide as much information as we can at this point but understand staff may still have questions. Please contact your line manager if you require further assistance.
Please note: The information in these FAQs is subject to change and will be updated regularly in line with Scottish Government Guidance.