NHS Test and Trace: COVID-19 Home Testing for Students

Our programme of three Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests for students upon their return to school has been very successful, with no positive results recorded and the vast majority of students participating. We will now, in line with government guidance, be providing LFD home testing kits for students from the week commencing 22 March.

Students with SEN needs who are not able to self-swab and therefore unable to test at school but who could be tested at home by a suitably competent adult have been provided with home testing kits from the week commencing 8 March.

A negative home test result should not be understood as a means to relax or ignore social distancing or other virus prevention measures intended to reduce transmission – home testing is an additional tool that contributes to reducing risk.

Written guidance will be provided with the home kits and an instructional video is available on YouTube for those taking the tests:

Students should test twice weekly at home before coming into school, ideally in the morning. If they cannot take the test in the morning, they should take it as soon as possible before coming into school.

When testing at home, students aged 18 and over should self-test and report the result, with assistance if needed. Students aged 12-17 should self-test and report with adult supervision. The adult may conduct the test if necessary. Children aged 11 attending a secondary school should be tested/swabbed by an adult.

Students   (or   the   parent)   are   required   to   report   the   test   result   via   the   NHS   Online   reporting system https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result or by calling 119 for negative, void and positive test results.

They must also report positive, negative and void results to the school via the ‘Test Result’ Google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqR4ILe5ou6ZGtSEfST210OcYoVV3TuirFpUlvFrYajj- UiQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

If the result is positive the individual should isolate, and the school should help with contact tracing. The student will also need to have a PCR test to confirm the result. Those with a negative home test result can continue to attend school and use protective measures. If the result is void the individual should take another test. In the case of two void results the individual will need to take a PCR test.

To request a PCR test visit :  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

It is a requirement to share results with NHS Test & Trace so that contact tracing (particularly outside the school environment) can take place and clinical evaluation of the testing programme can continue.  Results must be shared with school so that if positive, immediate contact tracing can take place. Void and negative results are useful information for their school both to monitor stocks of kits and to identify any issues that might need escalating to DfE or NHS Test & Trace.

The home test will be handed to individual students for personal use and should not be used for anyone else. If family members experience COVID19 symptoms, they must follow standard Government guidance, including self-isolating immediately and booking a PCR test through the NHS Coronavirus  https://www.gov.uk/report- covid19-result (COVID 19) service or by calling 119.

Individuals who have been vaccinated should still take the test as we do not yet know whether vaccines prevent individuals transmitting the virus. The vaccine does not interfere with the home test or PCR tests.

If you have tested positive by PCR for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection. Anyone who has previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result should not be re-tested within 90 days of that test, unless they develop any new symptoms of COVID-19.

The asymptomatic testing programme does not replace the Government’s current requirements for those with symptoms.  If  your  child  has  symptoms  they  should  stay  at  home  and  you  should  book  a  PCR  test via   https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ or by calling 119.

We will support our students throughout, but please contact us if you need this information in any other language or format or if you have any questions. You can contact the office in the usual way.

Home Testing Kits for Parents/Households

These collection testing kits are now for all households.  Primary, childcare, support bubbles, and college parents/ carers as well as secondary. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/all-households-with-children-of-school-aged-to-get-rapid-covid-19- tests-per-person-per-week

Under the new system, all households with primary and secondary school and college age children, and childcare and support bubbles, are encouraged to start regular twice-weekly testing from March 8. As with student testing, this is encouraged but not mandatory.

A PCR test will be required for positive lateral flow tests which are taken at home, either through at home PCR testing or at a local PCR testing site.

• Secondary pupils will receive LFT home kits from their schools. All Staff will receive home kits from their schools.
• There is no need to test primary children in school at this stage.
• Collection tests are for parents/ carers, other household members to use. They are not for primary aged or younger children.

You can collect home testing kits from the four sites below from 1.30pm–8pm from Friday 5 March onwards. Please note that you cannot collect testing kits from these sites in the mornings.

• 221 Erith Road, Bexleyheath DA7 6HZ
• Felixstowe Road car park, Abbey Wood SE2 9RZ
• The Vine Christian Community Church, Axminster Crescent, Welling DA16 1HF
• Westwood Car Park, Welling DA16 3QS

You can find out more about these sites at: www.bexley.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/services-status/local-covid-testing-centre

With very best wishes.

Yours faithfully

Mr R Pett

HEADTEACHER