Arrangements for Tuesday 4 January 2022 are as follows:
- Year 11 – to return to school at the normal time. Pupils will then be tested from 8.45am and in lessons for the rest of the day
- Years 10, 9, 8 & 7 – these pupils will be invited into school for their test from any time between 10.30am and 2.45pm. Once tested, they will be asked to return home
- The only exception to this will be those Year 10 pupils who study Creative iMedia or Engineering. These pupils will be expected to have a test and then stay in school just for their Period 4 lesson as they are preparing for a national exam the week after. They can then return home after Period 4.
- Wednesday 5 January 2022 will be a normal school day for all pupils
Pupils in Years 10 – 7 will not receive an appointment time, as tests will be conducted as and when pupils arrive. School will contact home ONLY if your child returns a positive test.
Year 11 pupils and those Year 10 pupils in Creative iMedia and Engineering should attend school in school uniform, all other pupils do not need to wear school uniform. Tests will once again be conducted in the Sports Hall, with the entrance, as previously, being the furthest gate to the right as you look at school.
School must have consent from parents and carers before we can conduct the tests. However, many parents gave their consent for testing back in March – this consent still stands, so you do not need to re-complete the form.
Asymptomatic Testing
Asymptomatic testing is done via simple and quick tests, known as Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. They enable us to rapidly test students and staff, without the need for a laboratory. When done as part of a testing regime, the LFD is very good at picking up those with high viral loads (i.e. those that are the most contagious).
All secondary school students and staff should have the opportunity to receive an on-site LFD test, on their return in January 2022. Parent/Carer consent is required before a student can be offered a test. Please see privacy notice below.
Why do pupils and students need to test on site when they return in January?
Testing on return is the most effective way to reduce the risk of transmission and support the continuation of face-to-face education. Identifying positive cases on return in the autumn is important, given that most students will not be testing over the summer and will need to re-establish the habit of regular twice weekly testing.
Is testing compulsory?
Testing is voluntary, however, we would strongly encourage everyone to join in the asymptomatic testing programme to help break transmission links by identifying those that may be carrying the virus unknowingly.
Positive Cases
Staff and students with a positive LFD test result should self-isolate in line with the stay at home guidance. They will also need to take a confirmatory PCR test to check if they have COVID19. Whilst awaiting the PCR result, the individual should continue to self-isolate. If the PCR test is taken within 2 days of the positive lateral flow test, and is negative, it overrides the LFD test and the student can return to school, as long as the individual doesn’t have COVID-19 symptoms.
Close Contacts
From September, close contacts will be identified via NHS Test and Trace rather than the school. Contacts will only be traced where the positive case specifically identifies the individual as being a close contact. Children will no longer be required to self-isolate, if they are contacted as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. Instead they will be advised to take a PCR test.
Home Testing
Students and staff will continue to test at home twice weekly.
If your child is showing any of these symptoms:
- Call the attendance line on 01772 421909 to report your child's absence
- Ring NHS 111 for advice and/or to book a test
- Continue to keep school informed
If your child, or anyone in your household, is displaying symptoms and/or has been advised to take a test:
- Keep your child at home until you know the result(s) of the test
- Inform school
If your child becomes unwell in school, and has Covid-19 symptoms, we will contact you immediately and ask that you collect your child and get a test. Your child will be placed into an isolated medical room, away from other staff and students until you are available to collect them. We ask that you update us with the progress of your child's symptoms and test result.
Please contact us if you need any further support.