Any other schools doing their mass testing next Sunday?

[manicinsomniac]

Both the school I teach in and the school my older children attend have sent time slots for our LF tests on Sunday 7th March.

I get the logic. It does make sense not to disrupt the school day. But we're 45 minutes drive from my teens' school (they usually get the train) so I'm annoyed about giving up Sunday morning then going to do my shift at my school straight after. First world problem, I know, and at least we're opening. Just wondering if it's unusual and I'm unlucky (or lucky depending on your view, I guess) to have both schools opting for the Sunday or whether this is what most schools are doing and I need to stop bemoaning the loss of my last lie in!! I probably do, don't I!

(Your title sounds like it might be about Catholic priests test driving new mitigations OP!)

Er, I'm pretty sure this is not legal as we are all on lockdown till the 8th and may not return to school until 8th.

Ours are going in a couple of weekdays next week. It is a good idea and of course not breaking lockdown to get a test.

Our school are doing mass testing days on 8th and 9th, then everyone back in on 10th.

You don't have to do the test to be allowed back into school btw. Maybe get your teens booked in to your local asymptomatic testing centre at a time which suits you better?

My DC’s school is doing tests in 4, 5 and 6 March. There is another thread on this. And the DfE have confirmed that it is fine to test prior to 8 March @Incogweeto there is nothing “illegal” about it. On the basis of that argument nobody would be able to leave the house for a Covid test!

Yes, but it's a boarding school and we can leave her there once a negative result has been achieved.

I’ve not heard from my DC schools about going back.

JanFeb I didn't think of that!

Roses Good point, I could. Don't want to look unsupportive to the school though. But I guess I won't do as long as I am clear that that's what I've done. Will look where the nearest one is. It might not be much closer.

confused both these schools have boarders so that is perhaps why Sunday is chosen. Day children are being done Sunday daytime and boarders in the evening as they arrive.

Ours are testing during next week. Timeslot to come in, test, then back home.

What is the point in testing next week?

The point is to identify people who are positive at the point they return to school. Not at some unspecified point the week before.

Ours are doing next Thurs & Fri.

So the teachers are giving up their Sunday to try to accelerate the return to the classroom on 8th March and you are moaning about not getting a lie in?

Oops - just noticed that you are a teacher as well and being asked to give up a Sunday! Sorry, should have read properly!

Not heard of any school where I live doing this, and I have (extended) family members at 4 different secondary schools. I think it's a bit unnecessary to do it on a Sunday.

As for schools testing next week, I completely agree with Rafals.

My boys' school is having a staggered start and testing 2 year groups per day, starting with Years 11 and 13 on Monday 8th. There's going to be testing every day for 2 weeks which should hopefully get the required 3 tests in for all that want it.

Thu and Fri for our school.

The government does allow parents to refuse testing for their kids. After all, the test is only 49% sensitive (Liverpool study, Porton Down study by govt had fluctuating sensitivity rates depending on who did it) and in school settings could be only 25% sensitive (Birmingham University study) or less.

These tests are not delivered by teachers but other staff used for the purpose.

Honestly, schools can't win. People moan when they are closed by government and that children are missing too much, and then when some have worked really hard to arrange the testing for later this week or the weekend, people moan about having to take them in, even though this means they will be in lessons from Monday morning.

Other people will be moaning that their school isn't testing until Minday or Tuesday and lessons won't be starting until Wed or Thurs for their kids.

Loads of people are moaning about needing to take their kids in for the tests whenever they are.

It's what's required and needed for kids to return. Would people rather they stay off longer to avoid the inconvenience?

Yes, my daughter's school is testing Year 11's and final year of 6th form on Sunday. Those two year groups will start back on Monday.

My daughter's school also has boarding (it's a specialist school) Dd doesn't board but lives in a hall of residence so she is travelling up on the Saturday.

It's all a bit mad. Our school is getting a whole year group (150 kids) in at one time for testing on 5th, 8th and 9th. Surely this just means if anyone has it they will spread it while getting tested???

I'm in Scotland and ds S4 started back last week for 1 morning a week and got the tests to do at home!

Will the kids be tested twice weekly in school?