COVID TESTING IN SCHOOL

Further to the Government's in-school testing process, we are pleased to confirm that this is now complete for all year groups. 

Going forwards, students are expected to self-test at home, twice weekly, with the support of parents/carers.  Please see the letter below, as well as the Google form for recording results.  Many thanks, as always, for your ongoing support.

Letter Re - Home testingDownload
Covid 19 Privacy noticeDownload

Google form link for recording results: https://forms.gle/NmzrSZ32nSPKdpTc7

COVID TESTING IN SCHOOL

Further to the Government's announcement on 22nd February 2021, the arrangements for Lateral Flow Testing from 8th March 2021 will be as follows:

  • All students will be consistently tested for Covid-19, using ‘lateral flow tests’. It is not compulsory to take these tests but the Government’s health advice is that effective testing helps stop the virus spreading and will mean schools are as safe as possible, so is strongly encouraging it.
  • The Department for Education will shortly provide us with the testing kits, which can be taken at school or at home, and we will update you on the collection and delivery of these kits in due course.
  • Once these tests are received:
  • Students will be tested by trained staff/volunteers three times at school in the first two weeks back.
  • After the first two weeks back at school, students will be provided with two rapid tests to use each week at home.
  • Students will be allowed to attend lessons as normal after their first negative result.
  • Parents and carers will be required to report results to schools to record. We will confirm how this system will operate in due course. 
  • Students who develop Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate immediately, as now, according to Government guidelines.
  • If a student tests positive for Covid-19, they must not attend school for at least 10 days from the day their symptoms started (or the date of their positive test if they were not showing symptoms). 
  • The school will retain a “small” testing site for those unable to test at home, while all our staff will also be given twice weekly home tests.
  • As mentioned, trained staff/volunteers will supervise tests taken at school. Lateral flow tests are quick and easy to administer, using a swab of your nose and throat. Results take around half an hour from testing and will be shared directly with staff and pupils participating. For under-18s, staff can oversee the swab process. Where participants are under-16, parents or legal guardians will also be informed.
  • We have been told to prioritise those year groups closest to GCSE and A level  and envisage that we will bring Year 13- 11 back in first on the 8th March followed by Year 10 on  Tuesday 9th, Year 9 Wednesday 10th, Year 8 Thursday 11th and Year 7 on Friday 12th so that we can be fully open to all year groups by the 12th March. We will give you exact details and arrangements for their testing and return  in a separate letter.  However, while students wait to be tested they will continue to receive “live lessons” via Google, then once on site “face to face” teaching will resume. As you can imagine testing around 1,200 people, three times in the space of two weeks will be logistically challenging, however students will be able to return following their first negative test.  
  • Consent - we need your consent to test and we are strongly encouraging all students to be tested. A consent form has been shared several times, many thanks to those parents that have completed this. However if you haven’t already done so, please complete the consent form which has now been converted to a google form to make it easier. Please complete this by the 28th February, as we will have to cross check every student and form completed and returned which, I am sure you can appreciate, takes time. I do not want to delay any student returning, so would ask you to support me with this.  https://forms.gle/ZsBjfRwNTKa7DsEM9
  • All information about testing is on the website.  Ideally, we would like to test students on site however, if you wish to do this yourself prior to the return  please ensure your test results are sent to [email protected]

TESTING SCHEDULE

The Testing schedule from 8th March 2021 can be viewed:

Testing scheduleDownload

CONSENT FORM AND PRIVACY NOTICE

Parents and students need to consent to the test being administered. Please read the Privacy Notice and complete the relevant consent form below. These can also be picked up from reception.

https://forms.gle/ZsBjfRwNTKa7DsEM9

MASKS:

  • As an academy we will be following the advice from the government regarding face masks, so please read the latest letters as this information can change quickly depending on local or national covid cases.

You may wish to view the video below, which demonstrates how the testing process is carried out:

The following document also provides useful information:

COVID-19 Why, Who, What and WhenDownload