Students’ learner panels give thumbs up to college Covid safety measures
STUDENTS across Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s twelve campuses who are settling into their studies under unprecedented circumstances, have given the college group’s intensive safety measures a ‘thumbs-up’ after returning to their classrooms recently after months of virtual isolation during lockdown.
The college group has received extremely positive feedback from its students during the latest raft of learner panels, with students stating that they are wholeheartedly enjoying their studies, as well as feeling safe with the extensive measures and adaptations that the college group has implemented during the Covid-19 outbreak. Grŵp Llandrillo Menai comprises Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg MeirionDwyfor.
Learner panels happen each term, where the student union presidents and class representatives meet with the college principals and senior management to discuss what’s working well at college and what needs improving.
It’s an opportunity to bring up any issues and provide feedback. Members of the Board of Governors also attend. Class representatives are in constant communication with both their own class members and the Students’ Union to ensure that their voices are heard.
Every full-time and substantial part-time course elects a class representative. He or she or they will act as the spokesperson for that group of students. The main responsibilities of the student reps are to
represent the views of the students during these learner panel meetings and to highlight areas of good practice for dissemination.
All the students agreed unanimously that their learning experience is still “amazing”. They have increased communication with their tutors as Google Classrooms is always being updated, which is invaluable for connecting with peers and keeping up-to-date.
The students said that they love their current learning environment: “The tutors are so inspiring and the students are really enjoying their courses”. “Everyone feels happy and safe at college”. “The one-way system is a good way of keeping everyone safe”. “The tutors are social distancing too which makes the students feel safe and comfortable”.
All students agreed that the welfare and additional learning needs of students are the college’s top priorities. They also said that all of them have adjusted to online learning quickly and feel they are coping well. Students are emailing their tutors if they feel they have missed something in their online lessons and the tutors have been getting back to them immediately with advice and guidance.
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has a raft of safety procedures in place to keep all of its staff and learners safe at its college sites.
As well as washing hands, wearing a face covering and maintaining social distance, the following measures are in place: sanitation stations, arrows showing the direction to walk, one-way systems, markings on the floor reminding people to
keep a 2m social distance, protective screens in general reception areas, and regular deep cleaning.
Coleg Llandrillo’s higher education student union president, William Jones, said: “This year, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has done a fantastic job of ensuring the health and safety of staff and students around the campuses. Keeping to the social distancing rules, wearing face coverings and being alert to the college’s one-way systems could save lives and enable long-term happiness.”
Sam Lewis, Coleg Menai student union president, added: “The college has taken every precaution to ensure our safety and regularly enforce these rules across the campuses to create a safe and healthy environment. Students and staff all practise social distancing ensuring to wear masks on campus grounds when necessary. It took a while to get used to, but it’s almost second nature now.”
Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s student union president Terry Tuffrey, commented: “I feel very safe at the college.
“We are getting used to the social distancing and we wear masks in the designated areas. The one-way system was a bit confusing to begin with but everyone is getting used to it. I feel very supported at college. I’m enjoying online learning very much.”
For more information on courses, please visit the website at www.gllm.ac.uk or contact the course advice lines on 01492 542 338 for Coleg Llandrillo, 01758 701 385 for Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, and 01248 383 333 for Coleg Menai.