argument. who's right. Covid tests

[cosmobrown]

My dd has been asked by school to have a test before returning to school in Jan.
She does not have symptoms.
Can we get a free NHS test? If so, do we have to self isolate?
We're planning on saying she has a cough, and getting a test. Is this really really wrong?

Don’t lie. It messes up the results. It takes tests away from people with symptoms. It’s not ok.
If the private school want a load of tests done then I suggest they use some of their fees to pay for them

Then the school must pay, or you pay for a test

Do not lie for a nhs one! You will skew the figures. Imagine if every school did this

You can’t get a free test for a private school, if she has no symptoms. (Morally or legally anyway)

If it’s a private school, and that’s part of their conditions for the new year, you’ll need to pay for a test.

@Sewrainbow

The NHS should not be facilitating this for any schools, the school should be providing private tests and funding themselves.or asking patents to pay in a particularly in a private school

Yes. God forbid should we try to halt the spread in the community & to the teachers & other staff in schools

FMD

What do you want to do with the tests? Keep them for the next pandemic?

I don’t have a secondary school child but all secondary schools in my area asked kids to get tested at the beginning and end of Xmas holiday before returning to school. There’s testing centres here which JUST test people with no symptoms for this reason - we are tier 4, high case area. I’m assuming your school has asked because there’s facilities doing this in your area. I’d google non symptomatic testing in your area or check your councils website

In that case you should pay to have it done privately

@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants

I get what you’re saying, but the parameters for testing are surely set for a reason. You can pay for tests privately. I think in the case of private schools requesting that parents organise the test - then unless the child has symptoms they should pay for it.

I’m a state school teacher, should I get a test without symptoms before I go back? And should all 500 pupils at my school do the same?

Click the box that says you've been asked by Public Health England as that's who will have told the school to ask everyone to test.

Our local council sent round this email:

The Government has confirmed that all secondary schools and colleges in England will be able to test more of their staff and students in a round of free coronavirus testing from the first week of January. Secondary schools and colleges will operate a staggered return, offering all non-exam year groups full-time remote education during the first week of term, with face-to-face education for all starting on 11 January.

A private school is slightly different surely? They should have private tests for asymptomatic pupils.

Are you certain there are no symptomless test centres in your area? There are here and all secondary pupils are to be tested before returning. You go and collect a test do it at home then return it to the centre, anyone at school or who lives in a household with school age children and no symptoms can get one, we're being actively encouraged to test weekly

Buy a private test. Do not waste an NHS one.

@HeyMister

Buy a private test. Do not waste an NHS one.

Well if this is the solution this is going to be beyond the reach of the parents in many state schools.

Totally unreasonable. Pay for one.

@Minky37

State schools are implementing mass testing though

The OPs school isn’t so either the school or parents will need to pay privately, not lie and fraudulently access an NHS test intended for symptomatic people only

Is their not a box to tick on the nhs ones that says you have been asked to get one sure their was when I needed one few weeks ago.

@Mamagotskills

In that case you should pay to have it done privately

Why?

[quote Flipflops85]@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants

I get what you’re saying, but the parameters for testing are surely set for a reason. You can pay for tests privately. I think in the case of private schools requesting that parents organise the test - then unless the child has symptoms they should pay for it.

I’m a state school teacher, should I get a test without symptoms before I go back? And should all 500 pupils at my school do the same?[/quote]
Yes, that's why the testing centres are being set up!!!

It's a waste to have a test without symptoms. If it actually means accessing education (I dont have a spare 100 to spare) I would tick the box to say I have symptoms.

@Minky37 I'm talking about her situation, not others. Her child goes to a private school. Therefore she can afford to get a private test.

If it was a government funded school, I'd like to think they'd give them out free!

@WanderingMilly

We ask our school children to take a test (before Christmas break up) and ask them to select the option which says you've been told to take the test. Our school also has several batches of postal tests which can be handed out to anyone who has problems getting a test sorted out.

It specifically says this shouldn't be happening though...

HeyMister
Please don't assume everyone who uses private education is rich.

We can't really afford the £120 for a private test. It will be another expense on the credit card than we can't pay off. DD is on a bursary, dh work has collapsed this year, grandparents are covering school fees this year so DD can take her GCSE's. DD is autistic, so would not cope moving schools for y11.

School have just said they will put £50 towards the test fee for us.

@Angel2702

We have been told to do this and select the option on the form saying you have been requested to take the test.

Although in our area anyone without symptoms can be tested from next week.

This - us too. Select the option saying that the council has asked you to have a test.

Seriously. What are parents supposed to do?

NB if you follow the link, it says you are not entitled to a test