Up to a third of people who have COVID-19 are asymptomatic, meaning they can pass it on to others without realising they even have it themselves. Testing for those without coronavirus symptoms is beginning across the country using new, quicker COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.

Regular testing will mean that children will be able to stay in school in situations where previously they would have had to self-isolate. For example, if your child was to come into close contact with someone who had tested positive, they would need to immediately self-isolate. Now, with these ‘lateral flow tests’, they can stay in school, providing they continue to test negative themselves.

The Government has produced this guide on how the test will be performed. Students will perform the tests themselves, while being supervised by trained staff.

Each student for who we have consent will have

• Two tests on their return to school, spaced three to five days apart
• Further daily tests for seven days IF they have come into close contact with a positive case

Results (which take around 30 mins from testing) will be shared directly with students participating. Click below to see the Parent and Student Guide.

The test is voluntary, anyone under 16 will require parent/carer consent. We will be testing all students who want to participate.

To register consent or refusal, please click below complete the electronic consent form.