Colleges have spent the summer preparing for the return of face-to-face classes, introducing social distancing measures to campus and redesigning classroom spaces to fit with guidance. 

Now, as institutions look back on the first few days of the new term, we took the sector’s questions to apprenticeships and skills minister Gillian Keegan. 

Podcast: The return to college with Jo Maher

Reopening colleges: What has reopening been like for colleges?

More: Who needs to wear face coverings in FE - and when?

Being back on campus

About to visit her first college in person since lockdown, the minister set out why she feels colleges are safe environments now for learners, and how students will benefit from being back on campus. 

She stresses the government will ensure the Education and Training Foundation can offer CPD to FE teachers on delivering online learning - and talks to Tes about face coverings on campus.