January school testing

[Wellthiswillhelp]

Just received details of school testing, all back on 11th when sixth form will be tested and then each day a different year will be tested with Year 7 finally being tested on the Friday.
So for four days year 7 will be in school mixing without a test. I fail to see the point of testing them after four days as they would have had plenty of time to spread it. Does anyone else know what there school is doing, it makes more sense to test kids before they return.

(not a teacher bashing thread, I think it's preposterous that schools have to try and sort this over the holidays)

I think I have seen on other threads that it has been questioned whether the instructions sent out for school are showing the wrong tests (wouldn’t surprise me!)

@Littlewhitedove2

So are these going to be the unpleasant tests then? I thought that a symptomatic cases would have the lateral flow which are not nearly as invasive?

Look at the poster I’ve just posted about the school tests.

They are both lateral flow AND the nasal/throat swabs.

If your child’s school is part of the pilot, then they will have been given significant support to get it set up. Most schools have been promised further information on Monday 21st December, which will presumably mean working those few days (and between Christmas and New Year) to put a plan in place for January. The main issue will be staffing it. Few schools have “spare” staff who could take this on, and that won’t give them time to hire and train external staff. I know a few schools thought about putting up a marquee to do it in, but it has to be inside, so space will be an issue. It’s also been made very clear that it’s optional, so given all the issues I very much doubt it’ll be up and running w/c 4th January!