Is it right that Teachers/support staff are expected to carry out testing?

[CheltenhamLady]

Just that?

Is it right or fair?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8953885/amp/100billion-Operation-Moonshot-fail-miserably-tests-poor.html

I think Boris wants to keep his mate Dom in paid employment with these LF tests-that seems to be his latest little earner.

I feel for all secondary school staff. They absolutely shouldn’t have to administer these tests or supervise them either as no other duties, responsibilities or pressures will be taken away from their workload to make space for this.

The government have shown no regard to the safety of school staff especially since these tests will be used in place of isolating close contacts so I’d support my secondary children’s school staff saying no to this.

I work in a primary and if we are asked to test pupils I will refuse. I am not first aid trained therefore not allowed to remove a splinter from a child’s finger. Given the fact that my head teacher is not allowing staff to wear masks anywhere in school backed up by the DfE guidance, I will not administer these tests. I have done everything else asked of me and given my best for all the children I teach but this is my limit.

Testing is important but the way in which this has been dumped on schools and the fact that it is to stop isolating close contacts of a positive case is appalling and unacceptable.

No it shouldn’t be happening because schools should be closed anyway. And I’m surprised parents aren’t forcing the issue by keeping their children home. I’m sure that happened earlier in the year with some even refusing to return to school when they opened again.

In my school teachers of cite subjects sill be doing online teaching. Non core subjects eg PE, Art etc will not be taught online and those teachers will be supervising the testing, not actually doing it, so no-one had any objection. It continues to amaze me (though it shouldn’t) how do many on here look for impediments rather than thinking logically and calmly how to actually find solutions. Never sure of is a lack of initiative, imagination or just a congenital negativity.

I am not first aid trained therefore not allowed to remove a splinter from a child’s finger.

I am first aid trained, and i'm still not allowed to remove a splinter from a child’s finger.

Is there a difference between the Covid tests that are done at the test centres, and the Lateral tests that will be done at schools? I’ve been sent an email from my DC’s school which has information on the tests that they will be doing - looks like normal tests with the long swab in the throat and nose.

They are not as sensitive as the ones done at test centres so if you get a positive test with a school you then need to get that verified by a test at the test centre, but it is assumed a negative test result is correct!

What happens when the students are back full time, emmannuelle?

@Frankinmachine

Is there a difference between the Covid tests that are done at the test centres, and the Lateral tests that will be done at schools? I’ve been sent an email from my DC’s school which has information on the tests that they will be doing - looks like normal tests with the long swab in the throat and nose.

The ones at the test centres are sent away to a lab. They are pcr tests and much more sensitive.

So, @EmmanuelleMakro, are you equally, "can do" about wearing masks? I notice that there's a new directive about those today.
Not sure whether it applies equally to private schools, however, in case that's relevant.

@EmmanuelleMakro

In my school teachers of cite subjects sill be doing online teaching. Non core subjects eg PE, Art etc will not be taught online and those teachers will be supervising the testing, not actually doing it, so no-one had any objection. It continues to amaze me (though it shouldn’t) how do many on here look for impediments rather than thinking logically and calmly how to actually find solutions. Never sure of is a lack of initiative, imagination or just a congenital negativity.

So you are in favour of using these inaccurate tests in our schools in replacement of self isolating? Do you feel confident that this will minimise disruption in schools?

Oh yes EmanuelleMakro that good old can do attitude. A pretty short term solution though given all school are back on the 18th.

@Frankinmachine

Is there a difference between the Covid tests that are done at the test centres, and the Lateral tests that will be done at schools? I’ve been sent an email from my DC’s school which has information on the tests that they will be doing - looks like normal tests with the long swab in the throat and nose.

Yes. The ones done in test centres are PCR ones and are much more reliable.

They are both nose/throat swabs but the LF ones are quick to develop as they don’t have to be sent away to a lab. They also don’t work very well but that doesn’t appear to matter.

What happens when the students are back full time, emmannuelle?
The next solution! Given that schools have had zero time to plan rather unreasonable to expect a fully formed roadmap stretching into forever - who knows what is around the next corner? Will update you when I hear😀I would hate to be SLT (school senior leadership) now and am impressed with their ability to find solutions that work for the staff and staff can see as fair.

And masks, Emmanuelle? What's your current view on those?

@EmmanuelleMakro Can you give a little more info as to how your school is organising the tests if you don't mind? Where in the school building? What is the floor like? How many students are on roll? Is it a state or private school? Is it in a high incidence area? Thanks.

@CallmeAngelina what is the new directive on masks?

@EmmanuelleMakro

In my school teachers of cite subjects sill be doing online teaching. Non core subjects eg PE, Art etc will not be taught online and those teachers will be supervising the testing, not actually doing it, so no-one had any objection. It continues to amaze me (though it shouldn’t) how do many on here look for impediments rather than thinking logically and calmly how to actually find solutions. Never sure of is a lack of initiative, imagination or just a congenital negativity.

Can you elaborate, it might help others to share exactly how your school is planning to do this.

I am core subject so haven’t received the details that the supervising staff have and (thank god!)not part of SLT whose headache it is.
The OP asked if school staff should do the tests, my response is to her to explain that it is supervising, not testing as sone have assumed,

No. It's utter madness.

[quote ineedaholidaynow]@CallmeAngelina what is the new directive on masks?[/quote]
Gov't planning to make them compulsory in secondary classrooms.

Is that is all tiers @CallmeAngelina? Have you got a link to that?

Excellent news about masks!

Am on phone about to start a dog walk but it was in schoolsweek.

Testing on schools do make sense to me.
I would not expect the quick tests to be difficult to do, but I have not seen any. Has any of you done one?
I think the problem is how to protect those doing the testing, and pupils from each other.
I would expect them to ensure SD during the test. Be outdoors. And for the parents to take the sample for little ones. And the pupils themselves for older.
Have the teachers been told that they have to take the sample too?