Announcement

 

All students are expected to have a lateral flow device (LFD) test before they return to school. Any student who has tested positive to Covid previously is not required to be tested, but we will need to see proof of this positive result. This is to ensure that any students who may have Covid and potentially be asymptomatic (displaying no symptoms) are identified. Up to one third of people who have coronavirus are asymptomatic. By testing we will help to reduce the spread in the wider community through asymptomatic transmission. We have converted one of our classrooms to use as our Testing Centre, in strict adherence to NHS guidelines, and have started using this with staff. I would like to thank the volunteers who have helped us to date to enable this to be such a smooth process. We will require all parents and carers to complete this short Google form, before Tuesday 2 March, to provide consent for your child to take a test.

This testing programme at school is for people with no symptoms. If your child develops symptoms at any time (including 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.

At school, students will be fully supported throughout the process and tests will be self administered by students, as they are quick and easy to undertake. Results will be emailed within 30 minutes of taking the test. Students will be given a specific time to come onto site for their test and it is important they arrive promptly for this. Government guidance states that students should complete 3 tests in school, between 3 to 5 days apart before continuing to test twice a week at home. We will provide students with the necessary tests to continue this process at home every Sunday and Thursday. Parents and carers will only be informed by the school about a positive test result for their child and should assume a negative test result unless they hear otherwise. If a student tests positive on a LFD test, we will inform them, and yourselves, immediately. The student and close contacts will then need to isolate, following government guidelines. 

We will not be able to bring all students back on Monday 8 March due to the logistical issues of carrying out the tests. Subject to receiving an initial negative test result, students will be expected back in school the day after their test. Details of when students will be returning to school can be seen in the table below:

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Monday 8 March	Remote Learning	Final day of Remote Learning	First LTD Test in School No Remote Learning
Tuesday 9 March	Final Day of Remote Learning	First LTD Test in School No Remote Learning	Lessons in School
Wednesday 10 March	First LTD Test in School No Remote Learning	Lessons in School	Lessons in School
Thursday 11 March	Lessons in School	Lessons in School	Second LTD Test in School Lessons in School
Friday 12 March	Lessons in School	Second LTD Test in School Lessons in School	Lessons in School
Monday 15 March	Second LTD Test in School Lessons in School	Lessons in School	Lessons in School
Tuesday 16 March	Lessons in School	Lessons in School	Third LTD Test in School Lessons in School
Wednesday 17 March	Lessons in School	Third LTD Test in School Lessons in School	Lessons in School
Thursday 18 March	Third LTD Test in School Lessons in School	Lessons in School	Lessons in School
Friday 19 March	Lessons in School	Lessons in School	Lessons in School
Onwards	At home testing begins every Sunday and Thursday

 

We will still be offering our onsite childcare provision for the children of key workers, our EHCP students and our vulnerable students:  Years 7, 8 and 9 on Monday 8 March; Years 7 and 8 on Tuesday 9 March and Year 7 only on Wednesday 10 March.  You will be able to book these days in the usual way, via Classcharts.  

To accommodate testing for the whole year group, there will be no virtual learning on the day the year group is tested.  The final day of virtual learning will therefore be Friday 5 March for Year 9, Monday 8 March for Year 8 and Tuesday 9 March for Year 7.