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Original poster

Tests for school children

51 replies

KangaHippo · 30/08/2021 05:26

Hi. We've been sent an email asking for the kids to do a test before they go back to school, and to keep these up weekly. I have no idea if this is standard, I've distanced myself from the news as much as I can.

We've been lucky & none of us (myself & 2 children) have had Covid as far as I know... I was taking the tests weekly when schools went back last time & a few weeks back I did one on each of the kids as we were visiting family with somebody having cancer treatment.

My kids absolutely HATE the tests. They both cried, both asked me to stop, both said they never want to do another one, both have talked about it since saying they don't want any more.

I have said from the start that we might have to do more & that's just how it is.
But the thought of doing these weekly, is it just a case of suck it up & get on with it? How are other people managing?

OP posts:
Original poster
KangaHippo · 30/08/2021 17:12

Crunchymum Good idea but I'm not on FB.

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Original poster
KangaHippo · 30/08/2021 17:17

drpaddington The packs I received had instruction on how to test children.

I just had another look, I won't post a copy but the school letter says 'As you prepare for the start of term, we ask you to make sure that you have a good supply of Lateral flow tests at home, and that, where possible, you test your children 1-3 days before their first day back and then continue twice weekly throughout the term'.

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RobinPenguins · 30/08/2021 17:17

At 8 and 4 I wouldn’t be doing them unless I could get some of the ones that don’t have to go right up the nostril.

I’ve been testing myself regularly for months, but I’m not testing my nearly 4 year old. If my young child had it and was infectious enough to pass it on, it’s me that would catch it.

Watapalava · 30/08/2021 17:38

Sounds like the achool are putting this policy in for themselves

Secondary acho provide tests for secondary school kids whereas it doesn’t sound like yours are

For record testing at my achool is almost non existent none of them do it

Imfedupwithallofthis · 30/08/2021 17:54

@drpaddington

We had an email from school reminding us that LFT's aren't meant to be used on primary aged children (it does say so in the instructions I believe.) So it seems odd that your school are asking you to do this.
Not sure about the old tests, but the new tests do not say this.

From Acon Flowflex leaflet -

"Children under 12 years of age should be tested by an adult"

drpaddington · 30/08/2021 19:46

drpaddington The packs I received had instruction on how to test children.

Yes mine did too, but also said not for use on under 12's on a different page! Must have had a dodgy batch of instruction leaflets, or someone was trying to confuse me!

Original poster
KangaHippo · 30/08/2021 19:57

drpaddington Oh, you've made me curious now, maybe I missed that! I'm going to see if I still have a book somewhereGrin

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Original poster
KangaHippo · 31/08/2021 17:25

I couldn't find an old leaflet but, PenguinsCantFly, the only difference between these ones & the old ones Is that they say they are just to be used on 2 nostrils, not in the throat.

Still up the nose until there is resistance.

My kids saw the pack come through the letterbox & asked what it was, so I said that their school has asked if they could maybe do a test before they go back & they said ok, as long as we do them today so it's done.

So I'll do that & see how it goes.

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Notdoingthis · 31/08/2021 22:10

Don't do it.

JanglyBeads · 31/08/2021 23:33

I’d be really glad that my kids’ school was trying to do all they could to prevent infection.

The new kits have a swab end more like a cotton bud so it’s thicker (can’t be pushed so high up) and softer.

VienneseWhirligig · 31/08/2021 23:37

DfE does not recommend testing children of primary school age, and only asks that staff in primaries test, not the pupils. I wouldn't do it, and would challenge strongly if any hint of not being allowed into school is given - even secondaries, where testing is encouraged, cannot refuse access to education for those who don't test.

Original poster
KangaHippo · 01/09/2021 20:33

JanglyBeads I know what you mean.

I did the tests & they weren't as bad as last time but they still got upset, they still both cried, & I really wouldn't want to do it twice a week.

Anyway, school have sent another email today that says the parents should test twice a week like we did after lockdown, & there's no mention of the children having to test now!

Viennese I imagine if they said 'No test, no school, then the school would be half empty!

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Original poster
KangaHippo · 03/09/2021 14:18

After emailing the school they have said that children don't need to test at all & parents can test if they want to.

Seems they've gone full circle from 'Lets do all we can' to 'Lets do nothing'!

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actiongirl1978 · 03/09/2021 14:34

With a bit of luck the testing will stop soon. Children who are poorly will go home until they feel better. End of story.

actiongirl1978 · 03/09/2021 14:34

And I have a DC who uses tests and secondary and a DC who can't cope with invasive tests.

Original poster
KangaHippo · 03/09/2021 15:43

actiongirl It's so difficult isn't it. I just wish that there was another way to test. Every time somebody says 'My child has had hundreds of tests & they never bother him at all'... It just makes you feel a bit crap doesn't it!

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Watapalava · 03/09/2021 21:15

Testing are not mandatory so why is anyone even worrying about them? Uptake in our school is under 10% of weekly testing - noone cares

Original poster
KangaHippo · 03/09/2021 21:33

Whatapalava If testing helps things get back to normal, actual normal not this 'some kind of normal', then I'm happy to do my part as much as I can.

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Watapalava · 03/09/2021 22:06

Tell me op, genuinely, how testing is helping things go back to normal when 1/3 are asymptomatic? all its doing is causing disruption to our kids

So many do not even know they have it

Such a panic for a virus you have to test to even know you've got it

Original poster
KangaHippo · 03/09/2021 22:15

Whatapalava I don't know, that's why I said 'If'. I'm no expert on this. ClearlyGrin

As for panicking, I'm not.
I've never posted on this board before & have been enjoying the chat & 'talking' things through.

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Watapalava · 03/09/2021 22:18

i apologise

Did not mean to sound abrupt

Its just so annoying with teens in exam years and everyone testing as all i can see is the negativity it causes

IME all the disruption for kids is caused by testing and not covid itself

Anecdotally no kids i know have gone onto get covid whilst isolatiing

Original poster
KangaHippo · 03/09/2021 22:26

Watapalava aah it's fine, no worriesSmile
& I apologise for getting your name wrong on that last message!

I've not really experienced the testing side at all, as I said, i've got on with testing myself, I've spoken to a few people who's kids love it! (& Apparently my teenage nephew has never bothered) that's it!

But I can only imagine that what you say is true. Let's hope all the testing is over with soon, as the PP said.

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Watapalava · 03/09/2021 22:35

my kids don't actually mind testing as all in high school

But previously they've isolated 3/4 times each and one each occasion, dozens were sent home and none ever tested positive. DD is now year 11 and so far behind as a consequence :(

No other places test so much as schools so other people go to work and surround themselves with cases everyday that they don't know about and likely never even get symptoms

Just today in year 11, 9 kids tested positive on their first day back (school tested them) and have to isolate yet not one has symptoms and all teachers are double vax.

I just feel so sorry for them. All dds friends are scoring 2/3 grades lower than exopected and working at grades similar to year 9! Its awful when so many get mild symptoms and are now at lower risk of anything other than cold/flu.

I work in education myself (not school) and we dont offer testing for anyone and disruption and case shave been minimal so i can see the other side really

I know kids transmit but so do adults and kids are being affected the most its so sad.

Anyway moan over!

Original poster
KangaHippo · 04/09/2021 05:08

Watapalava Yeah, the isolation thing for school children, I've never been convinced by that. I'm sure, as you say, it's impacted kids greatly & a lot of them won't be able to 'just catch up'.

You moan away! I completely agree with you on that one! Again, we havnt been impacted by isolation personally but I know people who have & I've always thought it was ridiculous.

Not always, sometimes it has its place, but a lot of the time it just didn't make sense.

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Peteycat · 04/09/2021 22:33

Please don't test your children. They are far too young. Tell the school to do one, no primaries are testing. They are trying it on. Be strong and refuse. It's an invitation not a summons to test anyway.