The health, safety and wellbeing of our students is a priority here at Velazquez Español; as much in our classrooms as in the centre as a whole, as well as during our teacher-led activities beyond the school building. In order to be able to continue studying Spanish in a COVID-19-safe environment, we have implemented various protocols that must be adhered to by all teachers, students and staff.

Right from the beginning of the pandemic, a health and safety committee was formed, featuring members of our personnel including our School Director. The committee has put together a Health and Safety Plan, compiling all the guidelines that must be followed to guarantee the health and wellbeing of everyone in the school.

It is essential that you read through our saefty protocols carefully so that you have the best understanding possible of what is expected of you, the teachers and the staff at Velazquez Español.

• Strict controls on entry to the school:  obligatory use of hydroalcoholic gel and a temperature check.
• Safety screens allowing the separation of students and staff within the school.
• Repositioning of all seating to ensure social distancing is maintained: separation of 1.5 metres between tables, chairs and desks in classrooms as well as in communal areas.
• Mandatory use of a mask at all times.
• Visual aids placed on walls of classrooms and communal areas detailing Safety Protocols and Guidelines.
• Hydroalcoholic gel available in all classrooms, reception and communal areas.
• Use of larger, exterior classrooms with natural ventilation.
• Reduced capacity in the school.
• Staggered start and break times to reduce the flow of students within the school.
• No use of photocopied material in classes.
• All personnel, both staff and teachers, have been trained to apply these safety protocols.
• When handing out essential administrative paperwork, sanitary gloves must always be used.
• Staff will work from home whenever possible.

In order to be able to guarantee safety for everyone, students must adhere to all our health and safety measures, including confirmation from the student that they have not had any COVID-19 symptoms in the last two weeks. Below are listed all the Terms and Conditions for entry to Velazquez Español:

On arrival:

1. In the event of a recorded temperature above 37.5 Degrees Celcius, entry will be denied.
2. On entry, mandatory use of hydroalcoholic gel to disinfect your hands.

In Communal Areas:

1. Obligatory use of mask
2. Obligatory use of hyroalcoholic gel to disinfect your hands in case of touching furniture or any other common object such as door handles or vending machines.

Inside the Classroom:

1. You must not share classroom materials or personal items (notebooks, electronic devices, pens, etc.)
2. Upon touching furniture or other communal objects such as door handles or windows, you mut disinfect your hands immediately.
3. Every 50 minutes, the windows will be opened for 10 minutes to ventilate the classroom.
4. Mandatory use of mask.

You must not arrive at the school more than 10 minutes before the start of your class, to avoid groups of students in communal areas and upon leaving the school, do not linger in your classroom, please leave promptly when your class has finished. We recommend leaving the classroom during breaks to allow the room to be disinfected and ventilated.