Dear Parent/Carer
This week marks the completion of students three supervised tests on site at school. This means students now move onto twice weekly, rapid Covid-19 testing at home.
Up to 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms and could be spreading it without knowing. Getting into a regular habit of testing twice a week will help stop the virus spreading, keeping your family and friends safer.
We will be sending home Covid-19 testing kits with your child – they will receive these during their third in-school test. Any student who misses their third in-school test but wishes to use a home testing kit will be contacted.
Please make sure your child tests themselves twice a week 3-5 days apart, we would suggest Sunday evening and Wednesday evening. Students should also continue home testing twice a week, at home, throughout the Easter school holidays. We will be sending home extra kits before term ends.
Detailed information on how to self-swab and process the tests is in the Instructions for Use within the box, and there is an NHS video demonstrating how to carry out a test . The home testing instructions have been translated into multiple languages online through this link here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-self-test-help
This home testing does not replace testing for those with symptoms. If you have symptoms you must self-isolate immediately, book a PCR test and follow national guidelines.
If your child has tested positive having been tested using a lateral flow device (LFD) test at school, they do not need a PCR confirmation because these tests are done in a supervised environment. Lateral flow device tests are at least 99.9% specific, meaning the likelihood of a false positive is extremely low – less than 1 in every 1,000. PCR testing will always carry a risk of producing false negatives. At the moment, carrying out LFD tests in supervised conditions and not carrying out confirmatory PCR testing means we capture the maximum possible number of coronavirus (Covid-19) infections during the initial return to school period.
Once your child starts testing at home using lateral flow tests, positive results must be followed up with a confirmatory PCR test (as these tests are not conducted in a controlled environment).
Reporting results
It is vital that results of tests are reported online straight away, even if your child’s result is negative or void. It’s easy to do at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.
Results can also be reported via telephone by calling 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day, 7am to 11pm.
It is also vital that you inform school straightaway of a positive result – either by telephone or email; 01768 210206, admin@ullswatercc.co.uk
Testing for parents, households and bubbles twice a week
A reminder that regular rapid testing is now also available for parents, their households and support or childcare bubbles. The government is encouraging all families to participate in twice weekly testing to help stop the spread.
These kits are not available from UCC. Parents and other adults in the household can access tests by:
- Ordering tests online www.gov.uk/order-school-household-tests
- Getting an assisted test at work, if it is available
- Attending a test site to get tested (where you will be able to see how to take the test) or pick up tests to do at home
To find out more on school household testing visit Households and bubbles of pupils, students and staff of schools and colleges: get rapid lateral flow tests – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
We continue to encourage everyone to take part in regular Covid-19 testing. As ever, if you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours faithfully
Mr S Gilby
Headteacher