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Covid

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Original poster

LFT testing in secondary schools

11 replies

Mojitofairy · 09/08/2021 14:12

Dd starts year 7 in September. We’ve been asked to do a home LFT on the day before they start which is fine. Then we’ve had another email saying secondaries are required to test all pupils on site which will be day 2 and day 5 back to school, with a consent form to complete. This is in addition to the home test before school starts as year 7 are going in a day early to settle. Home testing will then continue as before.
The email goes on to say that no child will be tested in school without the consent form. So what happens to those kids?
My main reason for asking is that dd will be on the school bus and I would rather test her at home so that if she is positive, she doesn’t go all the way into school and then I would have to go and get her, she can just stay home and not expose the other kids in the meantime. Also she has had tests before now and been quite distressed by them (although understands and was willing to do it) and I just feel that this is not something I want associated with the start of her new school. I’m more than happy to test at home but I don’t want her to be limited by me not doing the school consent form.
I have emailed the school but with it being holidays I know it’s not going to be answered soon. Has anyone come across this already and what would happen with the kids and testing where there’s no consent?
I would happily take a photo of the negative test from home so she has it on her phone if that is an option. Thanks.

OP posts:

FlagsFiend · 09/08/2021 14:33

What happened at the school I work at is I took my class to the hall for their slot. I was handed a pile of named slips for the children with parental consent which I handed out. Those children went for testing, me and the rest of the class (those without consent) walked through the hall to the exit and waited outside for the children being tested to finish. We then went back to class.

So no problem if the child didn't have consent, we didn't test them. They all had to come for a walk though as we were told not to leave any unsupervised in the classroom.

motherrunner · 09/08/2021 14:52

I’m a secondary teacher. They still attend school. I stayed behind with pupils who didn’t have consent and the others went to the testing site.

Original poster

Mojitofairy · 09/08/2021 15:00

So if no consent, no test in school, no consequences of that?
I’m guessing a lot of kids won’t have been done at home either, so what’s the whole point of this?
I will do dd, quite willingly, but from what you’ve both said there it makes no difference at all!
She won’t mind going for a walk or being kept separate in some way so that’s fine.
I’m just left wondering how many kids there are in school with no consent, no home test, no idea… and actually does it make any difference at all!
Thanks for replying, it just seems so bonkers to me.

OP posts:

motherrunner · 09/08/2021 15:03

We can’t prevent children from education because they refuse to test or wear a mask despite what The Daily Mail would have the population to believe. Most pupils consented, it was a high take up but I would say around 5-8 children in each class didn’t.

motherrunner · 09/08/2021 15:05

@Mojitofairy

So if no consent, no test in school, no consequences of that? I’m guessing a lot of kids won’t have been done at home either, so what’s the whole point of this? I will do dd, quite willingly, but from what you’ve both said there it makes no difference at all! She won’t mind going for a walk or being kept separate in some way so that’s fine. I’m just left wondering how many kids there are in school with no consent, no home test, no idea… and actually does it make any difference at all! Thanks for replying, it just seems so bonkers to me.

I think ‘the point’ is the Government showing the public they are ‘tackling Covid’ without really doing anything worthwhile.

Frlrlrubert · 09/08/2021 15:14

Going on what happened last year at my school:
No test, no consequences. Though I think admin did chase for consent if it was not returned with no comment. Almost all did consent.

Bit different last year as we arranged it so they had both tests before attending, this year it's being fitted around the starts so each school will be different. The testing timetable at my school hasn't been decided yet as the government has form for changing the goalposts at the last minute.

Be aware the tests are self administered by the pupils, so maybe she could practice at home to gain confidence.

We had support in place for anxious pupils, so worth checking with the school to see if they can be of assistance.

Similar to PPs we walked the whole class down to the hall, then took any who had no consent back to the classroom. The testers returned on their own after their test.

Tryingtryingandtrying · 09/08/2021 15:22

If you test at home it's much better for your child. If they test at school then there is a risk of your child arriving for first day and being sent straight back home.
March most people did not have tests at home. Now they do so no need to herd children through the tests at school imo.
You know she's covid free by testing at home so no risk to others which is the ultimate aim.

Bennetgirl · 09/08/2021 15:30

I’ll test at home and let them test in school. I don’t want them being singled by other kids out for not being tested at school.

There are new lfts now that only go up your nose and are much nicer to use. The children do it themselves in school so maybe get her to do her own at home to get ready?

When dd was tested in school it was really well run with staff everywhere to help them off they needed it.

JustLoveYourselfALittle · 09/08/2021 16:42

Our school is re using last year's forms. But can email to withdraw. Which I have done so because they're so unreliable.

JustLoveYourselfALittle · 09/08/2021 16:42

And we had an email saying the uptake is now at 37% the school has approx 1500 kids. So there won't be any singling out.

Eccle80 · 09/08/2021 17:50

I know a couple of posters have said the kids do the tests on themselves in school, but we were told last time that under 12s have to be tested by an adult.

We’ve been told they are meant to go into school for two tests before going back, but the first is the 26th August when they aren’t in school until the 6th September, I can’t see the point, surely a home test the day before they start would be more useful? And the second test date we are away on holiday for. He spent 4 months from March-July doing two tests a week at home, so I don’t understand why they want tests done in school again.

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