To think that if testing in secondary is optional there's no point?

[FitbitCat]

We've just had a message from our head letting us know the school testing is optional and we will need to register our children if we want them tested. Surely this means the irresponsible families will just not register nor take part and there becomes little point to the whole exercise?

YANBU but like so much this government has done, it's a last minute message with no practical attention to detail.

They should make it as easy as possible and use an online form, if allowed? DS 14 still has the contact and GP details form from months ago, hasn't handed it in, so I expect he would do the same with a vax one.

On the other hand I am glad it is optional because my SEN child cannot have the test and forcing them would be impossible.

Surely this means the irresponsible families will just not register nor take part and there becomes little point to the whole exercise?

Not every family who withholds consent us irresponsible. I won't be consenting as my 11yo is autistic and won't tolerate the test so I'm not putting him through it.

You cant force them to be tested if they are resistant

It's not no point. The more buy-in they get, the more useful it will be, but even if only half the kids get tested, that will have a significant effect on reducing likely spread.

This, from the BBC news app - 'students under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to attend mobile testing'

We've not had any visitors in school unless under exceptional circumstances since March, now they want us to test 1500+ kids and have parents on site daily?

And on another thread folk are insisting schools are covid secure. Okaaaay...

My 11 year old would not cope with the tests. I'd rather have him isolating than put him through the trauma of testing.

You can't force anyone to have a test - if parents don't consent you can't just start shoving things into their child, and if a child doesn't consent you can't tie them down.

It's the same for the flu vaccine administered in schools.

I will consent to DD being tested, but it's her body so if she doesn't want to have the test she'll just have to self isolate.

@FoxyTheFox

Surely this means the irresponsible families will just not register nor take part and there becomes little point to the whole exercise?

Not every family who withholds consent us irresponsible. I won't be consenting as my 11yo is autistic and won't tolerate the test so I'm not putting him through it.

I'm not irresponsible but I am not giving consent for DS (11) who has ADHD and quite severe Anxiety, esp with anything health related.

He had to test in October and it was horrendous. It took about 20 minutes to actually get the swabbing done, and about 3 hours to calm him down afterwards. There is no way I will put him through that on a weekly basis, especially at school in front of his friends. We will follow all isolation guidelines but he will only be tested when its absolutely necessary

@Ffsffsffsffsffs

This, from the BBC news app - 'students under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to attend mobile testing'

We've not had any visitors in school unless under exceptional circumstances since March, now they want us to test 1500+ kids and have parents on site daily?

And on another thread folk are insisting schools are covid secure. Okaaaay...

This, from the BBC news app - 'students under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to attend mobile testing' How does that work for working parents? Ridiculous that 13 to 15 year olds can't just consent themselves.

Most families will take part in the testing I would imagine.

Will the school testing be a mobile testing station or are they saying that if a child attends a separate mobile testing station rather than school then a parent must be present?

Very few from DS school will be taking part judging by the parents FB group.

Is the testing at school?

And what happens if you decline? I assume you still get to go to school going by your op

I’ve consented for my 12 year old already in writing. I gather the 16 to 18 year olds consent for themselves. For 11 to 15 year parents consent in advance but they won’t force any child who objects.

I will consent, but if it’s the horrible invasive test, my 11 year old won’t want to do it as she gets very worked up and anxious around medical things.
I would imagine there will be many children in the same boat. Are they all going to be refused schooling?

@FoxyTheFox

Surely this means the irresponsible families will just not register nor take part and there becomes little point to the whole exercise?

Not every family who withholds consent us irresponsible. I won't be consenting as my 11yo is autistic and won't tolerate the test so I'm not putting him through it.

Not irresponsible here either. I think it is a foolish plan and I won't be partaking.

Plus I also have an autistic child.

@Ffsffsffsffsffs the mobile rating unit option is slightly different and more separate from the testing actually taking place within school, hence children using them will need to be accompanied.

*testing not rating.

@Littlewhitedove2

I will consent, but if it’s the horrible invasive test, my 11 year old won’t want to do it as she gets very worked up and anxious around medical things. I would imagine there will be many children in the same boat. Are they all going to be refused schooling?

The test aren't some kind of entry requirement for education as I understand it they are to try and stamp out asymptomatic transmission by a reducing the number of those cases spreading in schools

I will be consenting. I know DC will be fine with the tests, they have already done their own and managed fine.

If I can help control school spread by my DC testing then I'm more than happy to consent,
and I'd hope that any parent with a child who can cope with the test would feel the same.

Our secondary have said that it's entirely optional (as it should be), but where it is used to test DC who may have been in contact with a positive case in school anyone who isn't able to have a test will be required to isolate instead.

The trouble is... so many parents feel that testing is 'traumatising' that so many children will go untested.
Kind of defeats the object which is to trace and contain.
For this reason alone, the pandemic will continue for far longer than it needs to.

If a child is identified as a close contact and doesn't have the daily tests (or the school isn't doing them) then they will have to self isolate for 10 days like everyone else.

If this ridiculous plan of the DfE's goes ahead.