Do you have questions about the return to school or regular COVID-19 testing? Ask GP Dr Amir Khan and principal Gerard Garvey

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With schools now open to all children, we know that many parents are feeling relieved to have their children back to school. However, you might still be feeling a bit unsure about the transition, what new and existing protective measures are being implemented (including regular rapid testing), or how teachers are helping children catch up following time away from the classroom. So, this week GP Dr Amir Khan and principal Gerard Garvey will be here on Mumsnet answering any questions you have about children's return to school.

Find out more about the experts below:

Dr Amir Khan is an NHS Doctor, GP, and best-selling author. Dr Amir is a frequent face on ‘Good Morning Britain’ and ‘Lorraine’ and will be able to offer his expert medical advice on any questions that you have as all children return to schools.

Gerard Garvey is the principal at Newcastle Sixth Form College. Gerard has first-hand experience of ensuring that schools are ready to welcome students back with additional COVID-19 measures so parents and pupils can feel at ease about face-to-face learning.

Here’s what Dr Amir Khan says: “It’s great to be seeing all children heading back to schools. Being in the classroom is so important, and children and young people continue to be at relatively low risk from COVID-19. It’s great to see new and existing measures in place at schools, to help protect both students and staff. New measures such as increased use of face coverings for all educational staff as well as secondary and college pupils and regular rapid COVID-19 testing are now available for secondary school and college pupils, education staff, and families and bubbles of all children.

Rapid lateral flow tests are essential in the fight against Covid-19. If you, your family or bubble test positive at home, then you should all self-isolate and the person who has tested positive should also take a confirmatory PCR test and follow latest government guidance. All these measures are there to ensure your child is safe at school because ultimately, it really is the best place for children to be, not just for their education but for their mental wellbeing and development too.”

Here’s what Gerard Garvey, says: “It’s been challenging for a lot of children, teachers and parents, particularly over the last few months, so it’s great our doors are open to all children once more, to see their smiling faces! The new and existing measures in place, will take the risk of Covid-19 down even further than it has been before. All students are our priority, and we want to reassure parents that we are keeping your children as safe as possible at school. Please ask us any questions you may have.”

From more information on testing for education staff, parents and support bubbles of nursery, school and college students, and what to do if you receive a positive result, to the rules on face coverings and what protective measures schools have put in place to welcome children back, Dr Amir and Gerard Garvey will be answering your questions throughout the week.

Please note that Dr Amir will not be able to respond to questions asking for specific or personal medical advice. If you are worried about a personal health issue, please contact your GP.

As a thanks for their time, all who leave a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list) supplied by Mumsnet. The prize draw will be carried out on 23rd March.

Thanks,

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Children seem to often display different symptoms with Covid (if any) - we have had children test positive after having cold-like symptoms. Why isn't the guidance being updated on what symptoms should trigger a test (this is Primary)?

How many different makes of LFD test kit are currently in circulation?
I have been given ‘Biotime’ ones. Are they the Innova ones?
Are there some tests which are more reliable than others? I have read that some only pick up 60% of positives.

Can someone explain how these Q and A threads work? There seem to be loads of questions, but no answers...
I also would like to know why a positive LFT isn't automatically overridden by a negative PCR test, considering the latter is more accurate?

Why unlike in many other countries do we not have face masks in crowded classrooms for upper primary? Many other countries have them from age 6 and there is evidence they reduce spread in schools.

My daughter is in year 6 and would like to wear one, but in her crowded classroom where she sits touching shoulders with other children (30 in the class) neither teachers nor students wear them. A few students want to but feel it's not allowed as teachers not wearing them. Her friends have said how scared they are of bringing the infection home to their parents, and that their parents will get very ill or die.

Effectively there is no protection against airborne transmission of coronavirus in her classroom, other than an open window. No masks, no social distancing. Don't you think in the middle of a pandemic where 120,000 people have died and many children lost parents, this is not good enough?

My question would be, if one of his peer groups tests positive and my son is sent home to isolate, as has happened in the past, can I get tests from school to test my family in case of infection ? Thank you.
I felt that last time he was sent home, we were left in the dark as to whether he had then infection, and was asymptomatic, and could pass then virus on to the family.

Hello everyone - Lots of really interesting questions. I hope that our experience of reopening and testing at Newcastle Sixth Form College will allow me to provide some reassurance for concerned parents.

@jacqui5366

What on-line training are staff given , so I can have assurance that the tests are done correctly - nothing worse than a false negative or positive on a family - do you think the training is being put into place effectively.

Hello Jacqui 5366 Discussions around testing in schools began back in December so there has been time for a range of materials to be developed and distributed. All staff involved in testing complete an online training module. In addition to this they have been supplied with the testing handbook and have had access to a range of video tutorials to ensure that tests are administered and processed correctly. At my college, we continue to monitor each testing session to ensure that all of the correct processes are being followed in line with the training. Whilst the test is self-administered we observe these taking place to ensure correct usage and subsequently accurate results.

@Asuwere

How are close contacts decided? DS had to self isolate due to a positive case in his class, but it was only his table of 4 children who had to isolate. There have been a further 6 cases in the same class over a 3 week period. Each time it is just that table sent home to isolate. The whole class play together outside at break and lunch times so it seems it will be a continuous cycle of isolations until everyone in the class has finally had it.

Hello Asuwere The approach will differ slightly at each school with factors such as classroom size and the number of learners impacting on which those who are identified as close contacts. At my college, where we have all learners spaced by over 1 metre, we only instruct those placed on desks next to any positive case to self-isolate, this is done immediately and for a period of 10 days (in line with the guidance). In addition to this we ask the learner to identify all of those they have been in contact with that day - for instance a friend they may have walked to college with in the morning. I appreciate your frustration at how this could slow a full return for all, but as the case numbers in our area begin to drop, we’re certainly hoping to have fewer instances where self-isolation is needed.

I teach in a FE college. I am expected to teach groups of adults, non socially distanced (all within 2m of each other and some seated side by side at computers) for six hours a day over four days - then a similar, different group the next week, and a different one again the next.They are not required to wear face coverings in the classrooms, neither am I allowed to ask them to (assuming they are not exempt). Hand gel and antiviral sprays are available, and I can open the windows, but that’s it by way of mitigation.
How is this safe?

@Addysuzzy

As having the covid tests in school's is compulsory, how can the schools guarantee that those students, who have chosen not to being regularly tested, do not have asymptomatic Covid19 and are not going to spread it? If they did have covid then aren't the tests, given to consenting students, a waste of time? If testing is being given it should be compulsory or they work from home.

Hello Addysuzzy We have fortunately seen very high numbers consenting to testing, but there will always be some who opt-out and it’s important that these are not denied access to education. Testing needs to be seen as one part of the overall approach that schools and colleges are taking. To minimise the risks, the current tests in schools and colleges are designed to pick up asymptomatic cases, and anyone with symptoms should not be attending school and should order a PCR test immediately for confirmation. During this period, all of the social distancing measures that we put in place at the start of this academic year remain in place. Most recently, the addition of the recommendation to wear face coverings in class for secondary and college learners (as well as all educational staff) should hopefully mean that the risk of exposure to an asymptomatic carrier is minimised. We have reopened for all our learners, but we are keen that they all follow the guidance to allow as many as possible to benefit from the face-to-face learning they have missed so much of in the last 12 months.

Am I as a parent also
Meant to be testing?

@Cotswoldmama

What sort of measures are going to be taken to ensure children don't fall behind ? Will there be extra help for those children who need it? What sort of help will there be and when? Will it be during school hours or are the rumours of extra lessons in the holidays true?

Hi Cotswoldmama For me, reopening schools and colleges is the first step to ensure that children do not fall any further behind. Every school and college will approach this differently but we know that the government have listened to schools on this issue and have allocated additional funding to help with this. This should allow schools to provide individualised support to address the gaps in learning that have emerged over the last year. The funding for each school should equip teachers with the tools and resources they need to support the pupils who need it the most and give children the opportunities they deserve to learn and fulfil their potential. Whilst this is fairly recent news, your school should soon be in a position to advise you on what they have planned. At our college, we plan to extend the end of the year for exam year groups to make sure all of the subject content has been covered and they are prepared to progress. As they would normally finish after their final exam, this will not need to extend into the summer holidays.

@jackstini

How long will alternative online lessons go on for for those who have to isolate Do you think those refusing to be tested should be at school?

Hi jackstini We plan to continue to run online lessons – using webcams in the classroom – for as long as is required. This brings some challenges however, we need to minimise lost-learning and will therefore continue with some form of online lessons until there is no longer a need to self-isolate.

As I commented to a thread from Addsuzy, testing is just one of the measures we are using to run a safe learning environment and our classroom desk layout, 1-way system and staggered timetable, are all strategies to minimise contact which could lead to transmission. I strongly believe that the best place for learners is in the classroom with an expert teacher and we would not want to deny this to anyone who has not consented to be tested.

The study published in the BMJ shows the problems with lateral flow testing. How can we be reassured that schools are safe when there is no reliable way to know?
Schools policies tend to focus on fomite transmission with less regard for airborne transmission - how can schools be made to realise that airborne transmission is a very real risk in schools.

Do we have the stats for how many children are testing positive so far? Are we seeing an improvement in miners needing to isolate from when schools were open before?

During this period, all of the social distancing measures that we put in place at the start of this academic year remain in place

There are no social distancing measures in the two primaries my kids go to. None at all. The rooms simply aren't big enough. My older daughter sits with her shoulders touching the kid next to her.

The guidance says 'social distance where possible' - well it's not possible so my kids are in school with no masks, no social distancing, nothing at all to stop airborne spread.

It's a disaster waiting to happen, as is obvious from the evidence of what has happened so far.

Who's going to look after my kids if I get very ill as a direct result of opening schools in such a clearly unscientific and unsafe way?

If a child has a positive lateral flow test but then a negative PCR, can they return to school? And if not, why not?

@Srathore

I was wondering if schools if schools are still offering remote learning, and free school meal vouchers in the event my children have to take time off school?

Hi strathore Most colleges or schools will continue to offer some remote learning so that those who need to self-isolate do not fall behind. As I mentioned in an earlier post, our college will continue to run live-steam lessons for those who cannot come into college until this is no longer required. Schools and colleges have a duty to support students who are entitled to free school meals during periods of self-isolation. Arrangements vary between schools and colleges, so I would encourage you to contact your children’s school.

@JulesJules

Have the schools had any guidance regarding PE? My year 11 daughter is going to school in PE kit, they have been told that this is to avoid changing rooms - but then they are taking off their masks and doing PE indoors - this seems mad to me. I think they should be doing PE outdoors, or not at all, but certainly not taking off masks indoors to do PE.

Unrelated - my biggest concern is GCSE grading. Judging by MN boards, schools seem to be using many different ways of assessing the children for GCSE grades. How can this be fair and standardised?

Hi JulesJules

The level of physical activity among young people has definitely fallen and so most schools and colleges – us included - have been looking to do this in a safe way considering their own resources. The current government guidance recommending face coverings does not apply in situations where wearing a face covering would impact on the ability to take part in exercise or strenuous activity, for example in PE lessons. The arrangements for changing rooms and indoor exercise will vary between schools due to factors such as room size, pupil numbers, and ventilation. I would suggest that you pick up any concerns you have directly with your daughter’s school.

I appreciate the anxiety around GCSE and A Level grade allocation this year. The full guidance is still being developed so it is understandable the approach taken by different schools may seem confusing. Unlike last year, we have more time to prepare for this and the awarding organisations who issue the grades are soon to share assessment materials which can be used to standardise. In addition to this all of the awarding organisations will be involved in the quality assurance of teacher assessed grades. Without exams, we really need to trust teachers to act fairly and with integrity to ensure the correct grades are issued. As the head of centre, the Headteacher/Principal must approve all of the grades we submit and most – like us – are currently devising rigorous checking processes to guarantee that no one is given a grade that does not reflect their performance and abilities.

What do you think winter 2021/22 will look like in terms of general winter infections? I'm thinking cold, flu, norovirus. They seem to have been very few cases this winter.

The full guidance is still being developed so it is understandable the approach taken by different schools may seem confusing. Unlike last year, we have more time to prepare for this and the awarding organisations who issue the grades are soon to share assessment materials which can be used to standardise. In addition to this all of the awarding organisations will be involved in the quality assurance of teacher

It’s disgraceful that the possibility of exams being cancelled wasn’t anticipated and outline plans at least put in place from September. If I were still teaching in Secondary I would have been assessing, testing and recording progress and attainment as rigorously as I could for those year groups from the start so as to have evidence on which to base teacher assessment from the start of the year. If I could see the potential need for this, why couldn’t those in government see it? (Answer: blinkered stupidity and incompetence coupled with ignorance and a lack of imagination.)

@herecomesthsun

Hello, we found Dr Khan's videos really helpful re how to do home tests!

Can I ask what happened to the other thread, where Mumsnet invited people to write questions about vaccines? As it seems to have vanished without trace.

Hi @herecomesthsun

You can find that thread here

@GraceEMumsnet, Is Dr Khan going to be responding to any of the questions posed, do you know?

Well, lots of questions, few answers, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for 23 March £££

Why weren’t teachers vaccinated during half term?