Changes to teaching from 8 March

The Government recently updated the guidance on the return of students to universities. The guidance means, in addition to in-person teaching in BSMS and ESW (which started in January) Sussex can resume some in-person activity from 8 March for certain courses with practical elements in Life Sciences, Engineering and Informatics, and Media, Arts and Humanities.  Students on those courses will be contacted by Schools directly.

Teaching remotely

All other academic teaching staff on non-practice-based courses will need to continue teaching online, and the Government will review the options for when they can return by the end of the Spring vacation. Information will be shared as soon as possible after that date and the Government has committed to giving universities a week’s notice ahead of any further reopening.
 
The teaching baselines remain in place with a commitment to 11 hours’ synchronous teaching over the course of a module remains, with in-person teaching resuming when it is safe and possible to do so. All assessment modes will continue to be online for the remainder of this academic year. Read the full guidance provided to students.

Staff wellbeing

If you are asked to return to resume in-person teaching or support services and have personal circumstances that you consider might prevent you from returning at this time (e.g. living with someone who has an underlying health condition) please speak to your line manager.
 
Evidence from our track and trace system shows that where the health and safety measures have been followed there was no evidence of transmission in the workplace last term. Work will continue to ensure that the campus is as Covid secure as possible.  Health and safety risk assessments have been reviewed for this term.

Testing

All students will be required to follow social distancing measures and will be made aware of the importance of taking lateral flow tests in their first week back on campus and then twice a week on an ongoing basis.

 
Staff working on campus are asked to take two lateral flow tests each week and this can be carried out at the Sport Centre on campus. As campus becomes busier there will be increased demand for testing so it’s helpful to book tests as soon as possible. It’s quick and easy to carry out these tests and very positive feedback has been received from those who are using the facility regularly. You can find out more on the staff webpages. 

A wider return to campus
 
The likelihood is that the University will follow a 4-step approach in line with the Government’s roadmap:

Step 1 – 8 March: Academic teaching staff and support staff on certain practical and practice-based courses will be able to return to campus to provide in-person teaching and support

Step 2 – Following the Spring vacation (at the end of April), the Government has stated it will review the guidelines. Depending on what is allowed from this time, plans will be made for a wider opening of campus to allow staff and students to return for the final weeks of the term

Step 3 – From 1 July onwards, it is anticipated that a fuller return to campus for all staff will be allowed

Step 4 – For the new academic year 2021/22 it is anticipated there will be a full return to campus with in-person teaching resumed

Staff engagement opportunities

The VC will host a Q&A-based open forum for staff on Monday 1 March, alongside Director of HR, Siobhan O'Reilly. This event is designed to specifically to answer any questions on the latest Covid developments and the University’s Size and Shape programme. Please register now.