Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

The government wants YOU to volunteer as a school covid tester

716 replies

noelgiraffe · 15/12/2020 23:42

The govt have proudly announced that there will be mass testing in secondary schools, colleges and special schools from January.

What the headlines don’t quite convey is that schools will be expected to set up and man their own testing centres and that this make-shift testing of close contacts of positives will replace close contacts having to isolate. The tests pick up about 50% of positive cases so I’m sure this will be fine.

Covidy kids will be getting the bus to school to queue up and be tested by people who have watched a video and a couple of online worksheets.

Even better, they want those people to be YOU!

“The document says that reasonable costs for additional workforce will be reimbursed.

It adds that a school may want to hire temporary staff, such as agency and contract workers, or draw on volunteers such as parents, retired teachers, Red Cross, St John Ambulance and community organisations.”

If you can’t help in person, perhaps you can support by talking positively about this effort on social media and parenting forums?

“Under a section labelled “social media guidance”, the document reads that “consistent, accurate and positive communication about testing activity is essential”.

They want to see “proactive public social media using agreed materials” and schools are encouraged to “monitor your existing social media channels, parents forums etc. and provide any feedback”.”

Come on folks, do your bit!

schoolsweek.co.uk/7-staff-roles-2-hour-training-and-dhsc-sign-off-on-press-schools-given-mass-testing-instructions/

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Lua · 16/12/2020 17:23

@EndoplasmicReticulum Grin

I am still chuckling... thanks for the vision....God I despair!

yomellamoHelly · 16/12/2020 17:27

I don't see the kids respecting social distancing around the testing. School life doesn't have any of those restrictions so they won't accept them around the waiting / testing / waiting unless you chuck loads of staff at policing it. And they haven't got the staff.

Achristmaspudsskidu · 16/12/2020 17:30

@JacobReesMogadishu

The testing in schools programme isn’t going to achieve anything though, other than an even more rapid spread of covid

It doesn't have to. The lateral flow testing centre I worked in nobody came within 2m of anyone including the testers. Testers were behind a persepex screen in full ppe. One way system for people getting tested, clear instruction signs. People at various points in the lead up to the room enforcing social distancing. People took it very seriously. These were uni students getting tested.

I appreciate there's a risk of secondary school kids not behaving as well but if that's the case that can happen in the classroom, in the playground, on the bus, on the way to school. Not sure what difference a supervised, socially distanced 2 min march through a hall will make.

Im just trying to imagine what it would look like in my DC secondary school of were to do this testing this week, with 400 teens (now no longer home self isolating) and 20 teachers, in the hall.

Assuming they were given enough PPE and perspex screening for the staff to be behind, and enough staff to be on hand who didn’t need to be teaching, registering children or setting up lessons, where would all the 400+ people be standing in the hall? They would have to stay there, being looked after, until all tests were completed and all results known. How could they be kept socially distanced from each other?

inquietant · 16/12/2020 17:30

@JacobReesMogadishu

The testing in schools programme isn’t going to achieve anything though, other than an even more rapid spread of covid

It doesn't have to. The lateral flow testing centre I worked in nobody came within 2m of anyone including the testers. Testers were behind a persepex screen in full ppe. One way system for people getting tested, clear instruction signs. People at various points in the lead up to the room enforcing social distancing. People took it very seriously. These were uni students getting tested.

I appreciate there's a risk of secondary school kids not behaving as well but if that's the case that can happen in the classroom, in the playground, on the bus, on the way to school. Not sure what difference a supervised, socially distanced 2 min march through a hall will make.

No, not from the process of testing itself - but the fact more infected kids will be in schools as result of testing instead of isolating. The test is not effective so lots of false negatives.
Lua · 16/12/2020 17:31

@JacobReesMogadishu

indeed, that is why secondary schools are big spreaders! Have you been around high schools when they let out?

But this government in its wise and thoughtful position have decided to sue headteachers that would move teaching online (because kids have to go into school to watch christmas movies up to the last day...). Yes the same government that is coming with this brilliant approach to mass testing....Hmm

EndoplasmicReticulum · 16/12/2020 17:31

It's not the lack of social distancing in the test "centre" that's going to increase the spread.

It's sending the close contacts who tested negative into lessons for the rest of the day after their test THAT ONLY PICKS UP 50% of positives.

FiggyPuddingFiend · 16/12/2020 17:32

I am quite happy to have blood tests taken by trained and paid phlebotomists. I am happy to be vaccinated by people trained and paid to do vaccinations. I would be happy to be tested by someone trained and paid to do covid tests. These would all be health care professionals in my mind, they have been trained and paid to do a health care job. If you are doing a job, you should be paid. It shouldn't be up to the school to recruit volunteers.

I don't think the training for any of these roles is particularly long. But they do need training and then supervision by someone more experienced until they are signed off as competent.

RememberSelfCompassion · 16/12/2020 17:32

Endo has it spot on.

I really wish they spoke to educators before they made these decisions. Or had education experts/headteachers to advise them! Its so obvious they don't.

Im terrified the intention is to just let it spread (unlike other countries. Why!?) But i dont want to be collateral damage. I am really worried about my kids being in school.

2020out · 16/12/2020 17:32

@JacobReesMogadishu

The testing in schools programme isn’t going to achieve anything though, other than an even more rapid spread of covid

It doesn't have to. The lateral flow testing centre I worked in nobody came within 2m of anyone including the testers. Testers were behind a persepex screen in full ppe. One way system for people getting tested, clear instruction signs. People at various points in the lead up to the room enforcing social distancing. People took it very seriously. These were uni students getting tested.

I appreciate there's a risk of secondary school kids not behaving as well but if that's the case that can happen in the classroom, in the playground, on the bus, on the way to school. Not sure what difference a supervised, socially distanced 2 min march through a hall will make.

The plan is completely different to this experience.

A) The testers will be school staff or volunteers.
B)only close contacts of covid positive students are being tested. These are people who would be isolating but instead will be in school unless the test is positive.

So yes, it will increase spread.

FrippEnos · 16/12/2020 17:34

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow
I would happily volunteer if work could release me for an hour

I’m in the “goady keep schools open” brigade: happy to play my part

I would put you in the full of shit brigade that says that they will volunteer but never will because they can't do it "due to work commitments"

Achristmaspudsskidu · 16/12/2020 17:34

Terrible spag there, sorry. Some editing...

I’m just trying to imagine what it would look like in my DC secondary school, if we were to have to do this testing this week-with 400 teens (now no longer home self isolating) and 20 teachers, in the hall.

Assuming they were given enough PPE and perspex screening for the staff to be behind, and enough staff to be on hand who didn’t need to be teaching, registering children or setting up lessons, where would all the 400+ people be standing in the hall? They would have to stay there, being looked after, until all tests were completed and all results known. How could they be kept socially distanced from each other?

Piggyinblankets · 16/12/2020 17:40

I haven't seen any perspex screens in pics of testing stations .You can't be behind one to swab.

TheHoneyBadger · 16/12/2020 17:42

I think I'd prefer them to just outright say, 'let them eat cake' than this pantomime. There's only so much having your intelligence insulted people can take surely?

manicinsomniac · 16/12/2020 17:47

It's going to be yet another factor to widen the inequality of provision for children across the country.

For my school, this will be easy to provide. We only have 2 year groups in the secondary age bracket and each group is only around 40 children. We also have a full time, qualified nurse and a surgery on site. So, despite not having any cases so far, this new ruling means that our KS3 children are very likely to have another term of uninterrupted education with no isolations.

But what about the KS3 children a few miles down the road who have already isolated 2-3 times this term and are in a school of 2000 pupils with no additional money or support. They're going to end up isolating still, aren't they.

I don't know, I do think the option of testing instead of isolating is a great one. I just wish they could make it a realistic option for all.

RememberSelfCompassion · 16/12/2020 17:51

Yes another one of those, "Well if Eton can manage it, why can't bog standard secondary? If only they upped their game..."

StaffAssociationRepresentative · 16/12/2020 17:57

[quote FrippEnos]**@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow
I would happily volunteer if work could release me for an hour

I’m in the “goady keep schools open” brigade: happy to play my part

I would put you in the full of shit brigade that says that they will volunteer but never will because they can't do it "due to work commitments"[/quote]
Yep - it was only Kevin's mum who turned up to face a 1000 that needed testing during Monday registration. (The rest of the goady brigade were no-shows as they were too busy on mumsnet). AHT gave her a cup coffee and said tell kids to go straight to registration once you have swabbed them.

Arabella announced her parents would sue the school if the test resulted in her being found positive or if it was not done by a medical professional

Harry said he would beat the shit out of Kevin because his mum hurt him

Lara's Tick-Tocks of the event resulted in her getting an extra 50,000 followers

All the perspex boards end up scattered on the floor.

Period 1 lessons in ruins due to latecomers/stories to be told about who did what and why Kevin's mum was crying

On Tuesday Kevin's mum called in sick as she was off due to stress.

FrippEnos · 16/12/2020 18:08

StaffAssociationRepresentative

Don't forget the abusive calls to the school about Kevin's mum not being gentle enough and traumatising the children.

ChloeDeckTheHalls · 16/12/2020 18:33

Poor Kevin’s mum. Poor woman needs a stiff drink!

ItsIgginningtolookalotlikeXmas · 16/12/2020 18:37

I'd love a Perspex screen for my classroom, I look longingly at the ones in shops sometimes. We have a bit of magic tape on the floor instead.

ChloeDeckTheHalls · 16/12/2020 18:46

My magic tape has pretty much frayed so much it is now non existent!
Seriously considered laying some tinsel down this week in its place...

JacobReesMogadishu · 16/12/2020 18:48

@Piggyinblankets

I haven't seen any perspex screens in pics of testing stations .You can't be behind one to swab.
Sadly photos of the one I'm working in are banned. It's a walk in self swab lateral flow test centre. The workers aren't swabbing anyone. The swab is posted through a slot in the screen to the worker who adds the solution and waits for the results. I'm a floor walker who can swab if necessary but haven't had to swab anyone yet. I'm the only person not behind a screen but I'm sat in a corner for 5 hours at a time staring at the walls and mumsnetting.
noelgiraffe · 16/12/2020 18:50

I never had any magic tape. It would have made it too obvious that the kids’ desks were inside it.

OP posts:
SomelikeitHoth · 16/12/2020 18:50

No one who is not medically qualified is swabbing my child's nostrils !

noelgiraffe · 16/12/2020 18:52

www.tes.com/news/exclusive-dfe-considering-delay-start-next-term

Is this so we can set up the cottage industry covid lab?

OP posts:
RememberSelfCompassion · 16/12/2020 18:53

Omg. They're really doing it arent they 🤦‍♀️. At what point can schools say theyve3had enough!?