Parent Q&A

All secondary students with parental consent will be tested as they return from 8^th March 2021..   

Students in the same bubble will be asked to self-isolate for ten days if they come into contact with a positive case.  Staff will be self-testing weekly

Those taking the test will be supervised by trained staff. The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy using a swab of your nose and throat.

Please see the leaflet online here to see how easy it is for your young person to take the test.

Results (which take around half an hour from testing) will be shared directly with students participating.

My child’s test is positive

Should a student or staff member receive a positive test, they will need to self-isolate for 10 days and take a further ‘PCR test’ (similar to those done in local testing sites) on the same day and minimise any further contact.  You should call 119 to book a follow-up test. Once they have had the further test, they will need to self-isolate while they await the result. If the PCR test returns a positive result they will have to self-isolate for the full 10 days and follow the guidance from NHS Test and Trace

My child’s test is negative

Should a student or staff member receive a negative test, they will be able to stay in school and resume their activities as normal. A student will only be told if they test positive on a ‘lateral flow’ test, so if you do not hear you can assume it was negative. A small number may need to repeat the test if the first test was invalid or void for some reason.

This testing programme at school is for people with no symptoms. If your young person develops symptoms at any time (such as a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) they must immediately self-isolate, and book a test by calling 119 or visiting http://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

Studies conducted by Oxford University and Public Health England, show that the tests are accurate in identifying a case. The tests have lower sensitivity but they are better at picking up cases when a person has higher viral load, hence the need to test frequently.

We are urging all families to agree to this safe and quick test when they return to school, and if they should come into contact with a confirmed case.  If you do not give your permission, your young person should attend school as normal and continue to follow all other safety precautions.  Should they come into contact with a confirmed case, they will be required to self-isolate for 10 days.