Teens self testing

[Perfect28]

Has anyone got a clue how this is going to work? I see lots of jokes and memes but seriously, what are the practicalities of this? Having just read the lateral flow instructions I would be seriously surprised if any students besides top set year 11s will be able to manage this properly. Does anyone have any further information?

@SoupDragon

And those who have replied I'm sorry to say you are clearly overestimating the students.

You are clearly basing your opinion on a very narrow range of teenagers.

^ agree totally

My dc (years 11 & 13) have successfully nose & throat swabbed themselves as have a very large number of their friends.

To say that teens would mess about etc totally ignores the fact that tge vast majority are both very socially minded and also massively invested in getting the pandemic under control / over so they can go back to being teenagers rather then stuck in this limbo.

I'm pleased for you CovidCarol but between you and me that's one dyslexic child who managed fine and one who absolutely didn't and got quite upset about it.

As far as I can tell, all the posts about sensible teens managing the tests are based on them carrying out tests individually or with family, not en masse with year groups in a dining hall.

I hope I am wrong of course; time will tell.

Most teachers can see how challenging this will be. Honestly, if you ever were in a position to ask a class of year 9s to stick a worksheet in their book, you'd know just how wrong a simple task could go.

Would love to know where the OP lives that only top set students can cope with this!

I’ve got a ‘top set’ y11 and even they got an inconclusive result (when supervised by me) which suggests that mass testing may not be as easy as people who don’t deal with large numbers of pupils on a daily basis suggest.

@soupdragon I have worked in three secondaries and a large college. I also have three teenage siblings. I wouldn't say my sample size is small, compared with, say, parents on this thread with a couple of DC. I think teens are great and their potential is often underestimated but as others here have said, individuals on their own is quite another matter from when they are together in large groups.

@seasonfinale I would love to know what experience you have with mass groups of teenagers where you can be so confident it will be plain sailing.

@thetoughhaveleft totally agree. I dont think there's many secondary teachers on this thread claiming their students will all line up in a ship shape fashion and take part in the testing in a calm and serious manner. Enough of those I've taught would be more likely to chase each other around the hall will their used swab or dramatically faint when they get a positive result to make me 100% sure this will not go as the government are imagining it

I’m worried about this for a year 11 in mainstream with ASD and huge gag reflex. Can’t even go to dentist - has to go to specialist hospital. I’ve only just learnt that it is only for those in close contact with a positive case so I’m hoping he won’t need to do this. It also is voluntary so we could decide not to do it.

Is the lateral flow anything like the normal kind? I have had a nurse administer the normal kind and I just think instinctively there is no way I could have done that to myself. I inject myself regularly so I am used to doing things that go against instinct but those swabs went so high, especially in the nose and it really hurt. Maybe she didn’t need to go as high, I don’t know.

In Scotland pupils testing are given tests to take home and do with parental assistance if necessary. Seems sensible