DD had symptoms now over it, can’t get a test, school won’t allow her back

[BabriePezSweets]

Basically the above. DD is 6, year 2.

Started with symptoms last week, slight temperature (38.1) and a croaky throat. Tried to book a test but the nearest testing centre is over 1.5 hours drive from me, I can drive but due to a medical condition I can only drive for an hour in a day (this is usually not a problem as in an emergency I can take one of my parents with me and for planned journeys I can share the driving)

Neither of my parents will take DD to the test centre for/with me as they will then have to Self-Isolate as per their own works rules for contact with someone with suspected symptoms.

DD is absolutely fine in herself, now sounds as if she’s had a cold. Bit sniffly and looks exhausted but was over it in a week. She’s bouncing about and is eager to go back to school.

In normal times I’d send her to school as she is now but school are saying she can’t return without them seeing proof she’s had a negative test. I’ve offered to keep her off until the end of my self-isolation period (single parent) but they’ve said “No test not entry permitted to school”.

Is there anything I can do? Or do I have to now keep DD off until the rules change?

Do not turn up at a test centre without an appointment. Imagine if everyone did that. Stupid suggestion.

Unfortunately not all schools have been sent home kits. What they should have and what they've actually received are very different!

I would do a formal complaint to the school and make it clear that you will take it to LA stage.

The LA can over rule schools even if they are academies as they are all funded by LA cash.

A local HT tried to change the rules near me. The LA asked the chair of governors to get the HT to change policy or remove him from post

@ChaChaCha2012
whilst it isn't recommended as a general rule 0 and obviously no it won't work if everyone does this - when you can't get a test and someone is in a ridiculous predicament as is the OP, and the test centre is willing to help, then clearly it is the best option right now.

So school have got back to me today and said "no negative result no entry" they're saying its the local authority rules so I checked out other local primary schools who're in the same LA and they have a similar rule by the looks of it.

So we're now at a stalemate, they said they appreciate I can't drive 1.5 hours to the test centre but they can't let her back into school without the negative result.

I have emailed my MP but last time I needed him for anything it took him 6 weeks for him to get back to me, so I'm not hopeful. Looks like I'm homeschooling for the foreseeable.

@BabriePezSweets

So school have got back to me today and said "no negative result no entry" they're saying its the local authority rules so I checked out other local primary schools who're in the same LA and they have a similar rule by the looks of it.

So we're now at a stalemate, they said they appreciate I can't drive 1.5 hours to the test centre but they can't let her back into school without the negative result.

I have emailed my MP but last time I needed him for anything it took him 6 weeks for him to get back to me, so I'm not hopeful. Looks like I'm homeschooling for the foreseeable.

Try the MP on twitter? Tweet them direct and also reply to their most recent tweets if they do them a lot. Also they will have a telephone number - most staff not in office yet but worth a try!

Local paper might also be interested...if you wanted to go down that route!

On this circumstance the school should offer you a test kit

Thought schools couldn't ask for evidence of test results.

@huuskymam

I'm in Ireland, so not sure if it's the same in the UK, but here if you can't make it to a test centre, a paramedic will be sent to your home to do the test.

Hahahaha

Its bizarre that you could say she had a positive result and get to return sooner than if she isolates for the time required by nhs

I think you need to ask them what they want you to do - it’s all over the news that people are misusing testing and this would be a misuse of a test, as your DD has no symptoms. I’d escalate it up to governors and also cc the LEA.

If she's had symptoms for more than 5 days then she can't get tested anyway.
You can isolate for 14 days from symptom onset.

I'd ask the school what they want you to do - either isolate for 14 days and return, or are they formally excluding her permanently from school?

Schools are not allowed to ask for proof of a negative test.

They're not supposed to, but I have a feeling that is guidance rather than something enforceable.

Interesting. There is circulating amongst primary schools in at least 3 counties, a flow chart, that has been developed by nobody official, and contains at least three errors, or at least areas where it does not reflect government policy. One of them being the requirement for a negative test. I wonder whether it might be responsible in this case.

People, and schools, need to learn to check their sources before circulating.

You need to Challenge the school on their nonsense. Copied and pasted from gov.uk

"Schools should not request evidence of negative test results or other medical evidence before admitting children or welcoming them back after a period of self-isolation."

www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools

The school is a joke. And schools like that are part of the reason that tests are not readily available.
On bbc news it said one school wanted an entire year group tested.

If your daughter has 10 days isolation she doesnt need testing.

I would go straight to LEA tbh as this looks to me like an illegal exclusion.

You can also ask the la to fulfil threir legal duty to educate your child after they have been absent from school for 15 days with an illness.

Try emailing your local councillor as well. they are a bit more sucessful at getting results.

My DD ordered a test for my 5 year old GS Sunday night. Was delivered Monday eve and test sent off Tuesday. Still waiting for results. School want a negative test too. Hes alot better now although he's been really rough this week. We also managed to get sent 2 tests to ours. We all drive but no appointments locally. I hope you managed to get sorted. Xxx

Sorry just seen your post today. Its crazy she won't be allowed back without a negative test even when she's better. So if you can't ever get a test she can't ever go back?? I'm sure that cant be right. Could be their own interpretation of the rules x

That’s crazy, If she’d been tested, she’d have been allowed back after 10 days even if the test was positive!

Have you checked if your town has a walk in centre? I’ve read that people that couldn’t get a test just went to their local one and was given one

I’d also get in touch with your MP and let them know the school is blocking your child’s access to education

School are providing work at home via an online platform for anyone in isolation or awaiting test results so technically they're fulfilling their obligations.

Failing the MP then talk to your local paper?