A message from Yiannis Koursis, Principal and CEO Barnsley College

The start of the new academic year is here at Barnsley College.

I want to warmly welcome all our new students who are joining us. You are now part of an outstanding College with state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional tutors and results.

I am certain that you will love life at Barnsley College and that for however long you are with us, and whether that’s studying A Levels, vocational, apprenticeships or the new T Levels, you will learn new skills, experience new ways of learning and be ready for the next steps, wherever you want them to take you.

A welcome back too, of course, to our returning students who I am sure are keen to start the new term.

With this in mind, I want to reiterate some of the measures the College has in place to keep students, their families and staff safe.

Induction week starts on Tuesday 1 September and you should have individual details from your tutor on what this means and what you need to do to get ready for the new term.

Clearly, this academic year will be very different to any other. Please make sure you follow all instructions from the College on when you are expected to be on campus. Do not attend the College unless explicitly told to do so by your tutor.

All students and their parents or carers, can be assured that we are following government guidelines for class sizes and social distancing measures. We will continue to utilise ‘blended learning’ with students receiving a mixture of online delivery and practical, on-site taught sessions.

Each campus building is COVID-secure with new hand sanitiser stations on arrival, track and trace forms, and clearly-signed one-way systems, amongst other measures.

These are in place to keep you, your loved ones and our staff safe. If on site, please take the time to read the instructional signs, listen to any advice given and follow the guidelines.

We will continue to closely monitor the government guidelines and should any changes need to be made, we will keep you as informed as possible.

Although this academic year will feel different, our standards of teaching and learning will remain as outstanding as ever, and I am confident that you will have the best time possible at Barnsley College.

I want to again welcome you all to Barnsley College, and wish you good luck for your studies.

All the best

Yiannis