It was a welcome return to education for thousands of learners at Bury College this week as they took up their studies in a safe learning environment.

Health and safety is first and foremost and a significant investment has been made on an extensive range of PPE and specialist IT equipment to protect students and staff. For the start of term, the College has invested in approximately 1,250,000 ml hand sanitisers, approximately 15,000 face coverings and approximately 900 protective screens. Additional Cleaners have also been employed to provide additional safety throughout the campus. In addition to this, a number of Campus Ambassadors have been employed to welcome students safely to the College and ensure that learners are familiar with their ‘bubbles’ and the range of support services available to them. Students were welcomed to the College and received a comprehensive outline of safety measures as part of their clear induction. 

The College has remained open throughout these unprecedented times in order to support the needs of vulnerable learners and children of key workers.  A phased return of Year 12 students also took place in June which provided learners with the opportunity to continue their education. This experience of having continually provided a safe learning environment in line with recommendations from the Department for Education and government scientific advice, has strongly placed the College ready for this supportive return for learners. 

Becky Tootell, Bury College Deputy Principal, said, “It was great to see so many new and returning students and we are pleased that as a College we were well prepared to deliver teaching in a safe environment. College is a very important time in a young person’s life. A new term means a new beginning and we look forward to working with all our students to help them reach their long-term career goals.”

Foundation Studies student Kieron Wosser who is studying the Supported Internship programme was delighted to return to College and continue his studies. The former Bury Church of England High School pupil said, “It’s great to back at College and to see all my friends. It was really easy to enrol online and I had a nice welcome from my tutors and feel really safe.”