Return To School: Testing

Schools have been asked to test students once before they return to full-time education and a further twice over the first few weeks of the school fully reopening.

As you will be aware from the news and communication from Forge, schools have been asked to test students once before they return to full-time education and a further twice over the first few weeks of the school fully reopening. Following this, those who have been tested will then be asked to carry out the test at home every week.

Please note that the test is voluntary and requires your consent. If you do not give your consent then we will not chase you or ask again. However, if we can identify those students who are carrying the virus without symptoms and are thus passing it onto others unwittingly, it makes school a much safer place, but also makes students interactions with parents, friends and relations far safer, so I would urge you to consider consenting to the test for your child.

The reason for three tests in school is that science tells us that if a student has been guided through testing three times they will be far more likely to carry out the test effectively at home.

During the first part of the week of 8th March (Mon-Thurs) students will be invited in for their first test to be carried out. Following the test being carried out, they will be asked to return home. Any student who tests positive will be told to self-isolate following national guidance. For those testing negative, they will be invited to return to school on a particular day, during which they will receive their second test. The third test will be carried out within a week of the second test. The children of those who have not consented to their child taking the test will return to school on the second test date for their year group.

You will receive a consent form through the post along with details of the date your child should come in for their first test. This consent form should be fully completed and signed and returned with your son/daughter when they come in for their first LFD test. Please note the response about whether the test result is positive or negative will be returned to the email address/mobile number written on the form.

Students should come in through the main gate and make their way straight to the sports hall where they will be organised for testing and registration will take place. Students are to use the fire exit doorway by block 6/7 to enter the sports hall. Once they have been tested they must leave the site and return home immediately. There is no need to wear uniform for the first test visit.

At the top of the letter that you receive from us, you will find the details of the time and date when the first test will be administered. Please ensure that your son/daughter arrives as close to the time as possible and not after the time.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Phil Loveday
Interim Vice Principal