To send my DS into school today?

[MandosHatHair]

DS came down with a cough and cold at the weekend, we managed to book a postal test for Monday. When I told the school that both DCs most likely wont be in until next week given how long postal tests are taking, I got grief from the school receptionist for keeping them off for a week with a cold.
This morning I recieved a negative result and called the school to ask if I could bring DCs to school this afternoon. I told them DS1 only has a residual snuffly nose but is otherwise himself. I was then told that other families are 'very kindly' keeping thier children off for colds.
I have no idea what to do now! In other circumstances DS would without a doubt be in school DS2 is preschool so if he is anything like how his brother he will have a permanent runny nose until March.

If he's had a negative result and is well enough, you send him in. It would be mad not to, and I'm sure he's long past infectious.

Take them

You should contact the school Senior Management Team repeating your narrative as per the above word for word and asking them for a clear policy statement of what parents are supposed to do in the event of symptoms that could be either seasonal cold&flu or potentially Covid-19. You do not deserve to receive either admonishment for being cautious nor snide comments when you suggest your child is well enough to receive the education they are entitled to, but to have both of these within a week is totally unreasonable. There should be a single clear policy which you can follow and know that you are doing everything correctly.

Take him.

Escalate to management. Kid's can't be off with a cold.

You’ve had a negative test so they can go in if they’re feeling well.

Talk about mixed messages from the school!

Yes send them in.

But I'd also contact the head/management to let them know their receptionist is giving out conflicting/wrong info and ask for clarification!

Sorry for the typos in my OP, I was in a bit of a rush

Thank you for your replies, I am glad I'm not being unreasonable. The school's guidelines are that children are allowed to attend with colds, but if they have a cough they need to stay home until they have been tested negative or complete the isolation period, so I have done everything by the book. I think I will escalate.

You were right to keep him off and get tested and as he’s now had a negative test result and is well in himself you’re also right to want to send him back’

Send him in now the test is negative. Feck sake this whole thing is a nightmare!

We had our negative result first thing this morning, I haven’t sent my son as the email from the test clearly states you shouldn’t return until you are symptom free for 48 hours. I’m guessing this is to prevent people spreading their cough etc and causing others to catch it and need a test.

He will be back tomorrow as that takes him to 48 hours symptom free.

Mine only says fever free for 48 hours, he never had a fever, only a cough, which he hasn't had for a couple of days. The only symptom is a slightly snotty nose which isn't one of the three coronavirus symptoms.

First off I would contact the HT and ask them to confirm in writing that this is (now) the school's policy and to ask them to cite any government guidance supporting it (there won't be any). I would then take it further TBH. And I'm saying this as a normally easy-going parent who gets on very well with our school but then our school is actually sane

Hes had a neg result and is well enough to go. I would send him. The situation is crazy!

Sounds like the office don’t know what their talking about (which I can understand as it’s all a bit confusing).
Child has a cold, of which any other year you would send him in. He also has a neg test. Therefore send him in! But let the management team know of the mis communication with the office