Dear Parent/Carer
We wanted to write to try and answer some questions and queries that parents and students may have for the start of term.
Year 11 and 13 students will be returning on Monday 11 January 2021. (Some may be invited in to undertake tests on Thursday 7 January or Friday 8 January 2021 in the event we are able to get testing up and running, alongside parental consent prior to this).
Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 are expected to return to school week commencing Monday 18 January. This may be a phased return and will let you know any specific information asap.
Online learning for all students will begin Tuesday 5 January 2021.
We are working to keep our school as safe as possible. You may have heard that testing for those without coronavirus symptoms is beginning across the country using new, quicker Covid-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.
Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help students and staff to remain in school safely. Up to one third of people who have coronavirus experience no symptoms. Testing may help to stop the virus spreading and will help to keep our school open as safely as possible. The test is voluntary and in the event we are able to run a UCC testing programme, I would encourage everyone to consent to taking it.
We are hoping to be able to start testing staff and students who wish to participate, from week commencing 4 January 2021.
An instructional leaflet with some more information can be found here.
Please complete the linked consent form for your child(ren) as soon as possible – here.
More information, FAQs and our privacy notice can be found on our website here.
Students taking the test will be supervised by trained staff. The ‘lateral flow’ tests are quick and easy, using a swab of your nose and throat. The tests are self-administered but for under 18s, staff will oversee the swab process.
Results (which take around half an hour from testing) will be shared directly with students participating, parents/carers will also be informed.
We know from the work undertaken elsewhere in the country the tests work – in validation studies conducted by Oxford University and Public Health England, they were shown to be as accurate in identifying a case as a PCR test (99.68% specificity). The tests have lower sensitivity but they are better at picking up cases when a person has higher viral load, hence the need to test frequently.
Testing will be offered free of charge.
Registration
To process the test, we will register all participating students. To complete this registration please complete all sections of the linked consent form above.
What if a student tests positive?
Participating students who test positive will be informed about their results individually, parents/carers will also be notified. Guidance on safe travel and additional precautions will be provided along with test results.
Students who test positive will need to take a further ‘PCR test’ (similar to those done in local and regional testing sites) on the same day (or as soon as possible). We recommend you make your way to the Penrith walk in testing centre located within Penrith Bus station, or by following the existing testing process and going to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or call 119 to book a follow-up test. If ordering a PCR test yourselves, you should choose to visit a drive-through test site if possible, as it is faster than requesting a home test.
During this time while waiting for the PCR result (via text/email) students will need to self-isolate.
If the PCR test returns a positive result they will have to self-isolate and follow the guidance from NHS Test and Trace.
What happens if the test is negative?
They will be able to stay in school and resume their activities as normal. A student will only be told if they test positive on a ‘lateral flow’ test, so if you do not hear you can assume it was negative. A small number of students may need to repeat the test if the first test was invalid or void for some reason.
What if a close contact at school tests positive?
A close contact of someone in school who has tested positive for Covid-19 may be able to return to school if they agree to be tested once a day for 7 school days and the tests remain negative. This is if the school is able to accommodate this approach . It is likely the school will need to prioritise students for this follow up ‘serial testing’ depending on the available resources.
If they do not want to take the test, they will need to follow the same process UCC has implemented since September and self isolate as per the national guidelines for 10 days.
Further details will be provided at the time, but if you would prefer your child to self-isolate instead of doing daily testing, they can.
What if my child develops symptoms?
The testing programme in schools is for people with no symptoms. If your child develops symptoms at any time (such as a high temperature; a new continuous cough; or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) they must immediately self-isolate, and book a test by calling 119 or visiting https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
We will support our staff and students throughout, and keep the FAQs on our website updated regularly – but if you have any queries at all please contact us on admin@ullswatercc.co.uk
Yours faithfully
Mr S Gilby
Headteacher