COVID Home Testing Information

Students are regularly provided with self-test kits to allow them to continue testing from home. Please read our COVID-19 Rapid Testing at Home (self-testing) Privacy Statement for details of how we will share data as part of this programme. This can be found HERE.

Kits should be stored indoors where a temperature of between 2 and 30 degrees can be maintained.
If the kit is stored somewhere colder than 15 degrees, then it must be brought up to room temperature for 30 minutes before use.
Student who may have had the vaccine are still expected to participate in the testing programme.
Students should be tested twice a week on a regular basis. We recommend that this should be Sunday and Wednesday evening.
Students aged 11 must have the test administered by an adult.
Students aged 12 and above should be supervised by an adult but can swab themselves.
Replacement kits will be issued to students during the school day and these will need to be signed for by the student as the ‘lot’ number on the self-test kit will be assigned to their name.
A negative result is not a guarantee that the student does not have COVID-19 and therefore they should continue to strictly follow all control measures set out in the school’s general risk assessment including Hands – Face – Space.

The Testing Process

A series of instructional videos has been provided by the Department for Health and Social Care on YouTube to support and guide you through the testing and reporting process.
An instruction leaflet for testing and reporting has also been provided with the kit. The leaflet is called ‘Your step-by-step guide for COVID-19 self-testing’.
Please note that test must not be left to develop for longer than 30 minutes as this will make the result void.
If you experience any clinical issues with the self-tests that has led to or had the potential to lead to harm (ie a swab breaking in the mouth, allergic reaction), you should report via the school email ([email protected])

The Reporting Process

Upon test completion, you must initially report the result on-line to NHS Test and Trace. Details of how to do this can be found in the leaflet.
If you are unable to log results on-line you should contact the NHS Test and Trace helpline (Telephone 119). School is unable to help you with this process.
If the test result is void, then students should undertake another test.
If students get a second consecutive void result, or they do not have any remaining test kits at home they should undertake a PCR COVID-19 test which can be arranged on-line or by calling 119.
ALL RESULTS MUST BE REPORTED (Positive, Negative or Void) to NHS Test and Trace AND school.
When reporting results to school, negative and void results should be reported via the school website or ParentApp. Please do not ring the school to report negative and void results.

What if the result is positive?

If the result is positive, YOU MUST RING SCHOOL DIRECT AND SPEAK TO THE OFFICE MANAGER (MRS PARK). It is important that you do this so we can undertake contact tracing in school.

All positive results from rapid tests undertaken at home must be confirmed with a standard PCR test. This is because these tests are not conducted in a controlled environment with trained staff on hand.
A confirmatory PCR test should be booked online or by calling 119.
Whilst awaiting the PCR result, students and their close contacts should self-isolate.
If the PCR test is negative, it overrides the self-test undertaken at home and therefore the student can return to school. However, you must contact school to discuss this with the Office Manager (Mrs Park) before attending school.

If you have any concerns or questions with the process of self-testing, please contact the Office Manager (Mrs Park).

Once again, thank you for your continued support.