Lateral flows for Scottish schools

[Granita1]

Hi, apologies if this has already been asked but my DC has just started high school and in theory should start doing lateral flows. I understand that if you report the result you have to say which school you go to, does this mean that the school are told which children are testing and which are not?

When you report the test do you give permission for them to pass on the information?

I haven't actually reported a test yet. Have just been told that there is a space for putting in the school name. My DC really struggled to do one and I am not convinced that it will be something we will do regularly. However, I am wondering whether the schools can tell that you are only doing them every couple of weeks?

Mine isn't doing them at all. It's not compulsory.

That said we are supposed to be get it g different tests because the uptake is so low

I'm pretty sure you just report the test on the NHS UK website which will send you a text/email confirmation of the result, and initiate contact tracing/ tell you to get a PCR test of positive.

I think it's only when you start self-isolating (and tell the school) and when you tell the contact tracer (who will presumably contact the school) that the school knows anything.

I don't think the school gets the info. Probably just for internal nhs records.

My ds does them intermittently and they certainly aren't asked if they have taken them/why they haven't done them

And yes, the reporting site does ask for the school as you tell it you are doing the test because of attending school.

No, it's not compulsory but the school communication is very much that they expect them to be done. And I had heard that last academic year they were fetching children out of class asking why they hadn't done them. I'm just not sure how they would know! We were asked to fill out a form saying we gave our children consent to the tests, which I did, however whether I can actually get them to do the test is an entirely different matter!

If they have trouble with the throat bit just do extra swabbing in both nostrils instead.

Ours are asked to do them twice a week. We got emailed today that they have cases in the school already

That's a relief @dementedpixie , we shall just carry on our merry way and do them if we manage! I just really don't want them to be hassled at school when they are already stressed enough about starting somewhere new!

DS2 got a bunch of tests last year. He hasn't done a single test. And obviously has not collected extra tests. School have not mentioned it at all. It is not compulsory.

Great, thank you everyone. That's a bit of a relief!

The school only gets notified of a positive result in Scotland, not sure what happens elsewhere in UK, if they either dont do them or they are negative the school isn't notified.

I have no idea. I work in a school and I name the setting but never been pulled up.

There is absolutely nothing the school could or would do, beyond giving out the tests and asking pupils to do them - I do mine by keep forgetting to report them. Your dc might surprise you (and it can be good practice for getting a PCR!) but if not you honestly don't have to bother.

Our school are def encouraging pupils to take the test and it is working in the few days they've been back.
A child in my DS's class tested positive on lateral flow, Pcr then came back positive so my DC was classed as a close contact and had to come home. Got a Pcr test that day, negative results came through the following morning so they only missed 1/2 a day of school.

Mine doesn’t do it, never has (my choice) and no hassle whatsoever: it’s never been mentioned.

No we don't get notified. The NHS produce stats about numbers of test kits issued, number of results logged etc but schools don't get this info.

I have two kids at high school and they test regularly. I’d only log it if they got a positive result.

We also get monthly PCR tests as we are on the national testing programme.

The school have never asked who does or doesn’t test. There’s no mention of it, let alone pressure to test.

When there’s a case in the school, parents get an email, which is assume is a subtle nudge to test if you don’t already.

The kids can pick up tests whenever they want at the school office, as long as parents have completed on online consent form.