Our plans for the winter break

An update from our Director of People, Susie Morgan,  on what the latest Government guidance to universities means for our students and our plans at Essex. 

Term dates will not be affected by the Government’s guidance – and autumn term will end on Friday 18 December 2020 and spring term will start on Monday 18 January 2021.

Autumn term 2020

Government guidance now requires that all face-to-face teaching finishes by 9 December 2020. We have planned our programmes this year to ensure that we can adapt and offer flexibility as needed. Dual delivery plans allow us to be flexible and respond to external changes to ensure our students can continue with their studies uninterrupted.

Following the UK Prime Minister’s announcement of further restrictions earlier in November we moved most teaching to online only until the end of the autumn term. Only teaching where a face-to-face component was deemed essential has been delivered in person since 4 November 2020.

We will not be changing plans any further in response to further Government guidance. Teaching will continue online as planned in the teaching timetable until the end of term.

Where face-to-face teaching is still being delivered, up to 9 December, Departments and Schools will update their students on the plans for teaching scheduled between 10 December and the end of term on 18 December 2020.

Student queries about teaching, course or modules are being directed to personal tutors, Departments or Schools and the Students’ Union.

Students are also being reminded that guidance can be sought via Course Representatives at the Colchester, Southend and Loughton campuses.

Christmas travel and vacation

We are asking those students who are not currently receiving face to face teaching, and who want to travel home for Christmas, to do so between 3 and 9 December 2020 – unless advised to self-isolate before travelling.

Those still receiving face-to-face teaching up to 9 December, are asked to travel after 9 December 2020. 

We are currently finalising plans for services and activities over the Christmas vacation and the University’s Christmas closure period (23 December 2020 to 3 January 2021 inclusive). 

In order to help us to plan, we have asked students to complete a survey to ensure we are providing the right level of support over the break.

Students are also being encouraged to update their contact details on the My Essex student portal.

COVID testing and self-isolation

From 30 November to 18 December 2020, all students and staff can have twice weekly rapid antigen testing at all our campuses. This will allow our community to make informed decisions about travel over Christmas and help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

This testing plan is in line with Government’s guidance for universities on how they can safely support students in returning home for Christmas. Further details about testing can be found on our website.

Any student who has tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with somebody who has, must self-isolate for 10 days before travel in the vacation.

Any student who is aware that they are a close contact of a positive covid case or who has been made aware that they are a close contact of a positive covid case, must isolate for a 14-day period. 

If they are a close contact of a positive case and wish to travel during the vacation period, they will need to have a negative antigen test or a negative PCR test, before they travel. They will still need to self-isolate for a 14-day period at their destination and if they develop symptoms in the 14-day they will need to arrange for a NHS Covid test. 

If you are sharing a house with others at your destination, they will not need to self-isolate unless you develop symptoms. 

We have developed a full programme  of self-isolation support. Students who are required to isolate should let us know by email covid19@essex.ac.uk.

Spring term 2021

We are keeping plans for spring term and beyond under review and will communicate plans to our students no later than the week of 14 December 2020.

Supporting student success

While our primary focus remains the health and wellbeing of our community, we will not let the pandemic stop our students from succeeding in their studies. Students can be sign posted to a range of services, including:

• Support for online learning: Skills for Success.
• Learner Engagement LEAP (Learner Engagement Activity Portal) 
• IT Helpdesk.
• Access applications remotely via the Software Hub. 
• Guidance on using Zoom.
• Library Services, and the chat function on the library website.
• Essential reading on Moodle. 
• Study spaces booking on Colchester and Southend campuses. 
• Student Services Hubs for Colchester, Southend and Loughton continue to operate in-person, phone, email and live chat facilities, including mental health and emotional support services. 
• The Students’ Union Advice service is also available.

A full range of support and guidance is also available for staff, including 

• Working from home or remotely
• Staff assistance fund
• Further guidance on everything from payroll to furlough and COVID-19 support is online.

Thank you for your ongoing support in getting our community to the winter break and beyond, as safely as possible. 

Best wishes,

Susie Morgan 
Director of People and Culture