Covid testing school staff

[Justme123123]

How is this going down? Would love to know how you are all managing and have you come by any hic ups??

It has been a learning curve but we're getting through it. The school hall has been converted into a testing centre. All the PPE and cleaning stuff is being stored in an office nearby as the usual occupant is on long term sick leave, not sure what we'll do with it all when they come back! The promised government-issued equipment didn't materialise so we had to source it ourselves, which was not a surprise. It has been a very expensive endeavour as so much PPE is needed as well as extra tech for the online registration and recording of results and we don't know when (if?) we will be reimbursed for this. The testing itself is very straightforward, it's the registration process and the disposal of clinical waste that have been the biggest logistical challenges. At the moment we are doing weekly testing for staff (almost all of our staff are onsite every day this time unlike lockdown 1, I think the novelty of homeworking has worn off for many) and the KW kids who are coming into school. We're hoping that this means it will be less daunting to test en masse when School reopens fully as we will be well practiced. We have a couple of parent volunteers who are helping out but it's mostly support staff and SLT, which is fine right now when school is closed to the majority of students but I don't know sustainable it will be once we re-open completely.

Had any staff refuse?

Not that I'm aware of.

Interesting. I was told last week that I needed to be tested twice each week. One of the days they are running tests is a day when I work elsewhere. I pointed that out and they said I should go & be tested first then go to my other school. That's an extra 32 mile round trip. It's "for my own good".

Today I spoke to the Head in my other school. He said he agreed that it was a waste of time and fuel and was totally unnecessary. So my first "missed test" is tomorrow morning. Waiting to see what happens.

We've been told staff cannot be compelled to have a covid test, it's entirely up to the individual whether they consent or not. We are testing staff once a week and are trying to be flexible with appointments so that every member of staff who wants a test can have one but obviously it's not easy with everyone's individual working hours and time commitments.

Yer so we have had staff refuse and ur right they cant be forced to have one ... however their attitude and flouting of ‘anti corona’ has put them in deep water if they had just refused and shut up nothing can be dine but now ohhhhh boy! 🤣

Hi,
We are struggling with the registration process and how much time it's taking to set each test up. I feel we have missed a piece of guidance on this step. None of our students are able to use their phones (SEN) and it's looking like a lot of admin hours will be required to set each test up.

What have you done to make this process easier?

Thanks

Yes the 20 minute tests are more like 40/50 minutes

Ours starts today but the person leading it said it’s not in the education testing guidance about not being tested for 90days after a positive test like they have in nhs/care homes. It’s concerning as every member of staff in my bubble has had covid already, most in the last month so we’re a bit concerned by that.
How are other schools treating people who have previously been positive?

AHippoNamedBooBooButt

We are following the 90 day guidance.

The registration process is an absolute nightmare!! I’m currently only processing about 30 students and it’s taking 2-3 hours! We have discovered we can register them the day before the testing which does help but the process is so long it really needs to be reviewed. It would help if the details were saved so once you put in the name and DOB it pulled the details from last time but obviously that would be too easy! I dread the moment all students return and I have to do 600+ registrations twice a week!!
And to add....I am not a robot! Do I need to be asked every time!!!!

I wonder if there will be another u turn soon??

www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/14/regulator-refuses-to-approve-mass-covid-testing-schools-in-england

Sane 90 days luckily we only have 2 staff who have had it