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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School want to see covid result

131 replies

Poolhater · 30/11/2021 06:33

I’m just after a bit of perspective as not sure that I’m just being a bit blaze about it!

I’ve kids at three different schools. Neither of the senior schools want to see (PCR) covid result if the kids have to have a test but the primary school always asks.

To put this into context, the primary school has also said kids with cold symptoms must be tested and receive negative results before return to School. Whereas neither of the senior schools have said that - they only want covid tests if displaying the covid symptoms as set out by NHS (cough, high temp, change in smell/taste).

My sister, (a teacher at a different primary) also has children in the same primary school as my kids. She thinks that they are wrong to ask for us to email in the test results (to be clear, they aren’t asking for us to email in “Little Miss Poolhater has tested negative” but actually want us to forward on the test result that we receive). She thinks this breaches confidentiality. I’m of the view, if it keeps the cogs turning, I will do it.

So who is being unreasonable here, me - I will happily send it in, or my sister - why should they have it and not just take our word for it?

I should add, I think my sister is frustrated by their requirement to keep kids off with cold symptoms (who are otherwise well) but their refusal to provide any work for those same kids on day one of that absence.

OP posts:
AndMatt · 30/11/2021 08:18

Schools can ask but can't insist so it makes it all bit pointless IMO. Anyone "cheating" will refuse and there's nothing anyone can do.

Just an unecessary admin task when schools are always complaining they don't have time.

That said,as a parent, I wouldn't pick that battle and would comply if asked.

Tumbleweed101 · 30/11/2021 08:19

We prefer to see the result because it means we know that the coughs and colds are just that and not Covid. If we get cases of covid it means unvaccinated staff have to isolate and we need to keep an eye on the other children and do all kinds of other admin. Knowing it is proven not to be Covid means we can relax a little.

Original poster
Poolhater · 30/11/2021 08:21

@nocnoc

Oh and as for symptoms we’ve got lots of kids off school this week with positive PCRs after going down with migraine and vomiting as symptoms. The Covid helpline said that Covid can develop as that so please stop thinking you know everything unless you’ve actually rung experts and spoken to them. It’s getting boring now everyone thinking they are scientists and experts. You’re not. Just do as you’re asked please
I’m not sure who the covid helpline are, but I do know the NHS website that lists the main covid symptoms. I assume they must have some of these experts you talk about!

My point about the cold symptoms is that they are NOT listed. I recall the last time I had to book a PCR for one of the kids I ended up lying about having symptoms as there was no other way I could get the bloody thing booked (the option for a School in England to request one had been removed).

OP posts:
caringcarer · 30/11/2021 08:22

My child's special secondary always asks kids to get tested but never asks to see results. I would happily forward text if they asked.

Original poster
Poolhater · 30/11/2021 08:26

@Madmog

If you don't mind, just do it. Also, be glad your DC is at a school that are doing their best to protect everyone and hopefully keep quality in face quality education - on more than one occasion we've had a put what's left of a whole year together in the hall (due to lack of staff) and come up with art or studying music on the screen and writing about it. Whilst they're still be educational things, it's not their scheduled subjects.
Yes, I see it as the School door everything
OP posts:
Underparmummy · 30/11/2021 08:31

I think to check that you have done it, trying to weed out people saying they have when they haven't/have only done LFT. Happened at our schools after the kids told the teachers they hadn't done the PCRs requested as close contacts.

Original poster
Poolhater · 30/11/2021 08:32

I meant to type -

Yes. I see it as the school doing all they can to stay safe and stay open.

I suppose I felt unsure as my sister is a primary teacher herself and I wasn’t sure if I was just being too compliant!

OP posts:
lazylinguist · 30/11/2021 08:44

Schools aren't allowed to demand to see test results, but that's a bit ridiculous really, as people lie. Asking to see lateral flow test results or sticks is completely pointless as it's so easy to cheat.

The criteria for needing a test, according to the government/nhs guidelines are if you have any (not necessarily all) of the stated 3 symptoms (cough, temperature, loss of taste/smell), so that would include lots of people with 'just a cold'. And would miss out lots of people who have covid but with different but quite common symptoms.

claymodels · 30/11/2021 08:47

@nocnoc

I think you’re being unreasonable to be honest. All my kids schools ask for a photo of the test stick. I don’t see how that’s breaching confidentiality and it’s a reach to be using that argument. They’re not asking for dick pics are they? At my kids school some of the TAs have had chemo and have low immune systems. I think it’s reasonable to ask everyone to be reasonable. You’re just being difficult. Please stop. If your kid is negative and has a negative test strip just send them a photo.

Did you even read the OP?

DumplingsAndStew · 30/11/2021 08:49

Have never had an issue with this, and just automatically have sent a copy of the negative email attached to any email I've sent the (secondary) school following PCR testing.

What exactly do people think the school could do with this information?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 30/11/2021 08:51

I don't understand what your issue is. You say you will happily send it in yet you're also moaning about it.

Why would you not want to protect your children, yourself and everyone else?

DumplingsAndStew · 30/11/2021 08:53

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

Did you read it?

Honeymint · 30/11/2021 08:53

It’s a ahem but I think it is necessary. Unfortunately some people lie and send their kids in anyway.
My sister works at a local high and they seem to be having the same issue.

It’s a hassle but I think sending in the negative results is just one of those things that people will have to put up with for a while.

Honeymint · 30/11/2021 08:54

*it’s a hassle (not a ahem)

claymodels · 30/11/2021 08:59

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

I don't understand what your issue is. You say you will happily send it in yet you're also moaning about it.

Why would you not want to protect your children, yourself and everyone else?

Read it again

NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 30/11/2021 09:00

[quote Bingbong21]@RaisinFlapjack no they can't. I wouldn't be sending any other than the child in question and even then I'd be a bit miffed at being assumed to be lying![/quote]
But the school has to be seen to be treating all families the same. They can't single out the ones they are pretty sure who would lie about it!

Polmuggle · 30/11/2021 09:03

Ask your sister what she thinks is confidential about not having an illness Grin

saraclara · 30/11/2021 09:03

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

I don't understand what your issue is. You say you will happily send it in yet you're also moaning about it.

Why would you not want to protect your children, yourself and everyone else?

She isn't moaning about it. Read the OP. She's fine with it. Her sister is moaning about it, so OP is along which of them is right.
NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 30/11/2021 09:04

@CristinaYangismySpiritAnimal

Schools aren’t allowed to ask you for proof. They’re going against all the guidance by asking you for it.
Thank God some school leaders & some individuals use their common sense, the Govt are balancing all kinds of things (to put it charitably) individuals & school leaders have a narrower focus (or give a shot about themselves snd others) and take measures beyond what the Govt wetly put into guidance/law.
Livelovebehappy · 30/11/2021 09:05

I guess teachers are aware of what parents will do, and subsequently don’t trust them to be truthful. After all, we hear about parents lying about residence status to get their DCs into a school of their choice, parents lying about a child being ill so they can take them out of school on a trip, inconsiderate parking at drop offs and pick ups and generally poor behaviour. Obviously not every parent, but I think teachers probably see on a daily basis what parents are capable of, so are just taking this action to protect all the children in their care.

Summerfun54321 · 30/11/2021 09:07

I trust our school and their reasons. They may well be dealing with high risk children who haven’t been vaccinated due to age.

NoddyMcdoddy · 30/11/2021 09:08

@nocnoc

I think you’re being unreasonable to be honest. All my kids schools ask for a photo of the test stick. I don’t see how that’s breaching confidentiality and it’s a reach to be using that argument. They’re not asking for dick pics are they? At my kids school some of the TAs have had chemo and have low immune systems. I think it’s reasonable to ask everyone to be reasonable. You’re just being difficult. Please stop. If your kid is negative and has a negative test strip just send them a photo.
Who are you addressing as ‘unreasonable’ and ‘difficult’ ?

The OP has repeatedly stated she is ok with the request but her sister is not.

Her post was to get an idea of the general sentiment with this request from others.

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/11/2021 09:11

Poolhater

Thanks all.

I’ve been known to be massively off key with some things, but this, I’m glad, I’m with the majority!“

Are you? Most seem to think it’s a sensible request .

There’s nothing on there that school doesn’t already know. What’s the issue?

Coldenoughforyou · 30/11/2021 09:12

My dc’s school asks for the results. I sent a screenshot by text to the headteacher.

Whinge · 30/11/2021 09:13

@MrsSkylerWhite

Poolhater

Thanks all.

I’ve been known to be massively off key with some things, but this, I’m glad, I’m with the majority!“

Are you? Most seem to think it’s a sensible request .

There’s nothing on there that school doesn’t already know. What’s the issue?

I'm so confused. The OP is clearly in agreement with the school. She is happy to send the results. It's right there in the first post.

So who is being unreasonable here, me - I will happily send it in, or my sister - why should they have it and not just take our word for it?