Just in case you don't know - if kids in school refuse to take lateral flow test NOTHING HAPPENS

[LaurieFairyCake]

They just go into lessons like normal

Schools not allowed to send them home

Dh has had 30 parents so far email in to say they don't consent for their children to be tested

And as for masks (compulsory now) - yeah, schools are allowed to make it a rule but they're NOT allowed to exclude them if the don't

Are we all reassured by this utter bullshit?

Nope, thought not

Ds is 16 and autistic and has refused to test at school. I don't think he's being deliberately difficult or selfish. I'm going to try and test him at home but only if he doesn't get too distressed.

lozengeoflove I hope Ds's teachers are like you. I'm worried he might be singled out by staff as a 'non tester' as he won't be attending the official testing session on Monday.

Laurie would they be able to exclude a disabled child for not having a test?

Everyone knew this OP

[quote SergeiL]@gluteustothemaximus you should feel proud of your community. That is impressive.[/quote]
Thank you.

It was one of the hardest days ever, and the prep behind it all and the admin was immense, but I felt very proud of everyone.

Testing the rest tomorrow ready for full start back on Monday!

@Punxsutawney

Ds is 16 and autistic and has refused to test at school. I don't think he's being deliberately difficult or selfish. I'm going to try and test him at home but only if he doesn't get too distressed.

lozengeoflove I hope Ds's teachers are like you. I'm worried he might be singled out by staff as a 'non tester' as he won't be attending the official testing session on Monday.

Laurie would they be able to exclude a disabled child for not having a test?

Punx hope he manages it.

I explained it to my ds first. That breathe through his nose as I do his throat and if he cannot tolerate it I can do both nostrils first. He managed the first one. When we go to do the second it'll be the telling time. But because he's group 6 and yet unvaccinated he's keen to test and know.

Thanks itsgettingwierd, glad your Ds managed the first test. Ds's school are fine about him not testing and said it's no problem. But I don't want them to think badly of him. This thread gives an indication that staff are not going to really want him in school, if he won't test.

I can’t imagine any teachers would have an issue with a child / young adult not being able to test due to genuine medical reasons. It’s the ‘you are violating my kids human rights’ children who might be seen differently, but even then it will be the parents, not the kids, who they might have an issue with. But can’t actually do anything about. My DD is a young year 7. I have consented for her to do a test. There is a small chance she might not manage it (she is very anxious). If she can’t, I don’t believe any teacher will take issue with her.

I dropped DD to school today and there were large amounts of teens going in to have their tests so I hope the majority are complying with this.

My son is autistic and the school are happy with him just doing the nasal swab (both nostrils) as the throat will be too much for him.

@Punxsutawney

Thanks itsgettingwierd, glad your Ds managed the first test. Ds's school are fine about him not testing and said it's no problem. But I don't want them to think badly of him. This thread gives an indication that staff are not going to really want him in school, if he won't test.

I wouldn't worry about that.

Staff are generally very understanding where needs exist. We don't ask any of our pupils with SLD to test but have told parents they can have home tests if they want.

It's generally those who just "don't fancy sticking the swab in or won't like wearing a mask" who actually have no real reason other than lack of personal and group responsibility they don't want to.

I’m refusing to consent to testing, my DC are 13 - has dyspraxia and 11. They are expected to do the tests on themselves. This makes the already unreliable tests even more unreliable as they will 90% not be done properly.
As I work in a school and have to do the lateral tests myself, something which I find can be tricky to ensure that I do correctly, is why I made the decision.
The children and that is what they are, are too young to do the tests correctly, why would I put my child through that, when I am perfectly capable of doing the test on them myself at home. This would ensure a more accurate test is performed.
I offered to do tests at home but apparently schools are not allowed to allow parents to do this, the government have got this wrong.

@PinkShimmerSparkle

I’m refusing to consent to testing, my DC are 13 - has dyspraxia and 11. They are expected to do the tests on themselves. This makes the already unreliable tests even more unreliable as they will 90% not be done properly. As I work in a school and have to do the lateral tests myself, something which I find can be tricky to ensure that I do correctly, is why I made the decision. The children and that is what they are, are too young to do the tests correctly, why would I put my child through that, when I am perfectly capable of doing the test on them myself at home. This would ensure a more accurate test is performed. I offered to do tests at home but apparently schools are not allowed to allow parents to do this, the government have got this wrong.

Why don't you let them have a go? Rather than telling them from the outset they won't be able to do it properly?

We tested over 1000 kids in 1 day, only 5 came back as void and 4 of those returned to school to retest before the end of the day. There are people there to talk them through it and supervise to make sure it's done correctly. It's not a selective school, so students have a huge range of abilities academically, physically and emotionally, they all managed it with help and understanding from staff.

We've done nearly 2000 students in 2 days. 2nd round of testing starting tomorrow, it's a huge task but honestly the kids have been absolutely brilliant (as have the army of support staff/governors/volunteers who are running the show).

The guidance is not to test if you have had a positive result within the last 90 days. Do you count the parents not consenting on that basis as non consenting parents? Just interested.

@PinkShimmerSparkle

I’m refusing to consent to testing, my DC are 13 - has dyspraxia and 11. They are expected to do the tests on themselves. This makes the already unreliable tests even more unreliable as they will 90% not be done properly. As I work in a school and have to do the lateral tests myself, something which I find can be tricky to ensure that I do correctly, is why I made the decision. The children and that is what they are, are too young to do the tests correctly, why would I put my child through that, when I am perfectly capable of doing the test on them myself at home. This would ensure a more accurate test is performed. I offered to do tests at home but apparently schools are not allowed to allow parents to do this, the government have got this wrong.

The tests can be done at home and will after the first 3.

@xyzandabc I haven’t told my children that they aren’t capable of doing them, I have simply told them that I do not consent to them being tested in school. Please do not assume that I have filled my DC head with negativity about their capabilities.
@Notabove25 My DC will be testing once the tests are done at home, out of interest would you or anyone know why the government are insisting the first 3 are done in school and why it is different to testing at home?

I can’t refuse to scan a patient if they refuse to wear a mask whatever their reason. It’s just the way it is.

I've given my consent for my dc 11 to have the tests. I doubt they'll get a decent, usable sample if they get one at all, given the fuss he made when we had to go for one when he had symptoms! Coupled with the fact they're completely unreliable and if positive the child has to go through an official pcr anyway, the fact that not everyone will do them so you'd only reduce the risk by a minuscule amount, I don't see the point...

The whole thing was a stupid idea when it was first proposed looking at you Gav! the time and expense and stress teachers went through over Christmas to get this sorted was immense only to then have a full lockdown render that work irrelevant.
Teachers are there to teach not get kids tested for covid. The income.petence if the way this has been handled knows no bounds.

Even in the hospital I work in taking part in the testing is not compulsory.

The tests are not fit for purpose verging on dangerous (falsely reassuring) and the government is fobbing off teachers with overstock they want to shift. I don’t think it matters if they are used or thrown in the bin.

Almost 1600 of the just over 1800 students at our secondary school will have had two LFTs by the end of tomorrow, ready to start back on Monday (no staggered start).
The other 250ish have either declined or not responded. That is their prerogative and they will be welcomed back into school regardless.
We thank that is a decent proportion. I should also say that there have been no positive tests so far.

I don't see what all the fuss is about tbh. The testing is for the benefit of all surely. Yes, LT are notoriously innaccurate but surely catching some cases is better than catching none.

My yr7 DD, who has some sensory issues (not diagnosed) managed fine doing the test on herself today. She also knows wearing a mask will protect others and will do so when she is in class etc. I will be testing myself and my yr5 DS at home too.

Why can't we just get on with it without the shrieking about snowflaked kids and bodily autonomy? Its hardly forcibly inserting a speculum into orifices is it? If you want to refuse then fine. But don't bitch when 'bubbles' burst.

I have only consented because my DD can refuse to have the test whenever she wants herself, so its ultimately up to her on the day. If they were forced to have it or sent home if they refused I would not of agreed.
I have no problem with parents that haven't consented, they have their reasons.
The school have said if they are not taking part in the testing they start a day later and have to sit furthest away from the teacher in class.

On masks, if they refuse they will not be allowed in class, but will still receive their education, they also will not be allowed to socialise with their peers. Which i do not agree with

Absolutely right. It's their choice. Teenagers have gone through more than enough in the past year.

@Lucked

The tests are not fit for purpose verging on dangerous (falsely reassuring) and the government is fobbing off teachers with overstock they want to shift. I don’t think it matters if they are used or thrown in the bin.

Tend to agree with this.

I hope students/people will realise that a negative result does not necessarily mean you don’t have covid, and not treat it as being given a green light not to socially distance etc...

I work in a school and am on the testing team, plus have three teens at secondary school. The part about how unreliable the tests are has definitely got lost in the narrative. Bring it up and most people don’t want to know / don’t listen.

Better than nothing in terms of finding asymptomatic cases, yes, but I agree also potentially dangerous in terms of people no longer following guidelines.

Yes to overstock being used up, mainly to back up the “schools are safe” mantra. A massive gaslighting exercise.

I think any children who refuse either and their parents who support it are disgusting, you could be putting teachers and their families at risk or even other children with underlying health conditions

I've declined consent for DS. He's autistic and is distressed by anything medical, he would need to be restrained for the test which is upsetting and undignified for him, and would put him and whoever is restraining him at risk when his fight or flight instinct kicks in. I spoke to him about it, explained how the test works, and he has seen me being tested. We barely got through the conversation and he left the room retching when I did my test then flat out refused to even go to school in case they pressured him to get tested so I ticked the "do not consent" box meaning they can't even ask him if he wants it done on the day. The SENCO knows and agrees.

He will be wearing a mask for as long as he is able. Last term he was okay wearing it in corridors but wearing it all day is a bit of a stretch. He's been given a card to give to his 1-2-1 one to communicate when he needs a mask break.

Our school had said that masks were compulsory, but after updated DfE guidance on 1 March apparently they are now optional in the classroom.