25th February 2021
Important Information – Lateral Flow Testing
Please see the letter below that was sent to all families on 25.02.2021 via MyEd:
Dear Parents/Carers
Following government advice, we intend to start testing all students as they start to return to school during the week beginning 8th March. It is recommended that students undertake the lateral flow (LF) test three times, 3 to 5 days apart in the first instance. Following three tests within school students will be given home testing kits so that they can undertake the test twice a week at home. Further details about students’ phased return dates and testing kits that will be sent home will follow.
The testing programme and results will be handled by trained staff within school and will produce results quickly on the same day. Students will be shown a video during the live tutor sessions during week commencing 1st March on how to self-administer a test.
In the event a student tests positive, the student would need to be collected as soon as possible and be taken for a second Covid-19 test (PCR test) at a testing centre. If this is the case, we will contact you and talk you through the process. Any students who are classed as close contacts of a positive result in school will also have to go home and self-isolate following Government guidance.
This testing is to detect asymptomatic coronavirus cases. It is vital that if your child or anyone in your household is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms you do not send your child in to school and that you follow government guidelines to self-isolate and get a test. If this occurs please contact us and let us know via the normal channels. In addition, if anyone else in your household has a positive result, your child will also need to self-isolate at home following the government guidelines.
Consent relates to the following groups of students/pupils and staff as follows:
- For pupils and students younger than 16 years - this form must be completed by the parent or legal guardian. Please complete one consent form for each child you wish to participate in testing.
- Pupils and students over 16 who can provide informed consent - can complete this form themselves, having discussed participation with their parent / guardian if under 18.
- For any pupil or student who does not have the capacity to provide informed consent - this form must be completed by the parent or legal guardian. Please complete one consent form for each child you wish to participate in testing.
Please complete the form via the link below to give consent for your child(ren) to be tested. All forms must be returned by 2:30pm Monday 1st March 2021.
Late returns of the form will not be included in within school testing.
Further details will be sent to you next week regarding the phased return of students coming back to school.
Kind regards
Andy Halliley
Assistant Headteacher and COVID-19 Testing Co-Ordinator