Will children be having lateral flow test and then going straight to classes?

[bicyclebelles]

How is the lateral fow testing working when the schools back on 8th March? Are they being spaced out by a few days before school restarts, or are the children having the test and then going straight into class?

I believe they need at least two negative tests before they can be in lessons.

I understand only one negative test is required. We are devoting the first two days to testing, so they will have a test, wait for the result, then go home.

Assuming it’s negative*, they can come back in for lessons starting on Wed 10th.

(*or if they opted not to have a test)

What makes you believe that?

They dont "need" any test before going to lessons. Testing is voluntary. None will be getting two before their first lesson.

Secondary students will have three tests in the first week, but not necessarily before attending class.

Secondary students will have three tests in the first week

Not so. Ours will be getting two in the first week, if all goes to plan. I think the tests have to be spaced around 3 days apart?

My DC have to go in for a test next week then the other two will be done after they start back on 8th.

If I’ve understood the email from DS’s school he will be having a lateral flow test from 8th March, so may not go back on the 8th. He’ll have the test and wait for the result. If negative he’ll go on to lesson but if positive I’ll have to collect him and then book him a PCR test (with the household isolating).

At our secondary school they are offering 2 tests to each pupil next week, with a view to them starting back at school on the 8th. Third test in school during the first week back, then regular tests sent home for them to do.
Tests aren't compulsory though.

Same as above, our school is bringing in a different year group each day next week to test. In the w/c 8th March they will be testing them during the school day.

There is no standard across schools, each school has to work their own procedure out.

Our school has just said to be patient for now whilst they determine the best approach for them so I have no idea yet!

At the minute they go straight back to class. Although they haven’t had tests for a few weeks?

@Guidebutton that’s what is happening at my school. I thought it might be the case elsewhere too.

@HipTightOnions

Secondary students will have three tests in the first week

Not so. Ours will be getting two in the first week, if all goes to plan. I think the tests have to be spaced around 3 days apart?

The DfE notice is pretty clear that it's three tests in the first week, although schools will be using their judgement as to how practical that is.

Our school is saying lessons in the afternoon where possible, but it is a small school, but they haven't sent the timetable through yet

Seems like quite a few schools are testing the week before the 8th?

@bicyclebelles

Seems like quite a few schools are testing the week before the 8th?

Schools round here don’t seem to be.

My DC school is getting different year groups in for testing appointments on different days starting on the 8th, then they will go home.

If they have had a negative test result, or are not testing, they’ll start lessons properly on the following day

If they test the week before they are not allowed to stay in school after the test result, they have to go home. Full lessons can't start until 8th March

The three tests requested by the govt means our secondary school needs to do nearly 6000 tests in 2 weeks. the kids have each been given a 10 min time slot to go to school for their first test between 8th and 11th. They then go home and start back to school the next day as long as their first lateral flow test is negative. The following two tests will be done after they have started back. It's ambitious and only time will tell if this will work. I am a parent who has been volunteering in schools testing centre

The DfE notice is pretty clear that it's three tests in the first week, although schools will be using their judgement as to how practical that is.

Wow, I didn’t know that. I wonder if any school will find it practical to do so much testing. I agree with wsereab that 3 tests in 2 weeks is ambitious!

The tests are meant to be 3-5 days apart aren't they

Ours are having the first test the week before, then staggered start Monday to Wednesday while second tests are done. Then third tests Thursday to Monday.

There’s an awful lot of logistics to work out. If your school hasn’t laid out their plans yet I’m sure they will before the end of the week. What other schools are doing is largely irrelevant, tbh. There’s so many variables to account for.

Asking a question within a thread here and it’s probably really dim too...

But are the tests for both primary and secondary or just secondary?

Just secondary.

@NoSquirrels

Just secondary.

Thank you!

The DfE notice is pretty clear that it's three tests in the first week, although schools will be using their judgement as to how practical that is.

Where does it say that? All I can see is 3 tests spaces 3-5 days apart.