Asymptomatic Testing

Rapid testing using Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) will support the return to face-to-face education by helping to identify people who are infectious but do not have any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms. Up to one third of people who have coronavirus are asymptomatic. By testing we will help to reduce the spread in school through asymptomatic transmission. We are therefore strongly encouraging those returning to school to be tested.

Pupils will return to face-to-face education following their first negative test result. Pupils not undergoing testing should attend school in line with the phased return arrangements which will be sent in a separate communication.

Testing is voluntary. If consent is provided, pupils will be asked to self-swab on-site and after 30 minutes they should be informed of their results. For secondary schools, pupils will be tested 3 times at school, with 3 to 5 days between each test.

The school will require all parents/guardians (or students if over 16) to complete a consent form for each child attending the school. This form should be completed even if you do not consent to have your child participate in the asymptomatic testing.

The school will require all parents/guardians (or students if over 16) to complete the consent form for each child attending the school. This form should be completed even if you do not consent to have your child participate in the asymptomatic testing.

Click here to access the Consent form.

Further information about the testing process can be found below.

The testing process

Students will be tested 3 times at school. There will be a 3 to 5 day gap between each test.

Those taking the test will be supervised by trained staff and volunteers. The school will be using a trained external company to process the tests (behind the screen). Senior staff and other trained support staff will be overseeing the organisation and coordination of the asymptomatic testing.

Test 1 (Registration):

1. Students will need to use their mobile phone to register for their test in the sports hall. If your child does not have a mobile phone, a member of staff will assist your child with their registration.

2. Your child will need the following information on hand:

• Name

• Date of birth

• Gender

• Ethnicity

• Home postcode and first line of address

• Email address (where test results are sent to)

  • This should be a parental email address for students under 16, or their own personal email address if over 16.

• Mobile phone number (where test results are sent to)

  • This should be a parental mobile number for students under 16, or their own mobile number if over 16.
    

3. Students will be given a registration card with a QR code to be scanned on their mobile to begin the process.

4. Students will be given a unique barcode assigned to each test that will be scanned as part of the registration process.

Test 1 (Administering the test):

1. Students will be directed to the testing site once their registration has been completed.

2. Students will be directed into a testing booth and will hand their registration card and barcode to a Testing Processor.

3. Students will sanitise their hands and use an antibacterial wipe to clean down the testing booth.

4. Students will remove their mask and blow their nose into a tissue to remove excess mucus. The tissue will be thrown into the yellow waste bin.

5. Students will use the mirror to look inside their mouth and find their tonsils. If they’ve had their tonsils removed, the area where the tonsils would have been is where to swab.

6. The Testing Processor will open a package that contains the swab and give it to the student. The swab will be used for both throat and nose.

7. Students will open their mouth wide and rub the fabric tip of the swab over both tonsils at the back of their throat at least 4 times. Carefully remove the swab stick.

8. Students will put the same end of the same swab gently into one nostril until they feel a slight resistance (about 2.5cm up the nose). Rotate the swab 10 times and slowly remove it. They only need to sample one nostril.

9. Students will place their swab directly into the pre-prepared vial in the tube rack with the cotton bud end facing down.

10. The Testing Processor will then pick up the extraction tube and process the test.

11. Students will use an antibacterial wipe to clean down the testing booth, including the mirror.

12. Students will exit the testing site and return to the sports hall to await their test result. Test results will be reported after 30 minutes.

13. If the result is negative, your child will go to their timetabled lesson. If the result is positive, your child will be moved to an isolation area to await collection from school. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible to collect their child. Your child will need to self-isolate for 10 days and your household will need to follow the national guidance.

Test 2 and Test 3 (Registration):

1. Your child will be given a registration card and barcode the day before they are scheduled to have their next test.

2. Students, and their parents/guardians, will be asked to complete the registration for Test 2 and Test 3 at home the night before their next test. You can register a test up to 24 hours in advance.

Test 2 and Test 3 (Administering the test):

1. Students will leave their timetabled lesson at an allocated time and go to the sports hall to confirm that they have completed the registration.

2. Students will be directed to the testing site and will complete their test as outlined in the instructions above.

3. Students will return to class immediately after their test.

4. If a positive test result is received, your child will be withdrawn from their lesson and moved to an isolation area to await collection from school.

What if my child tests positive?

Pupils with a positive LFD test result will need to self-isolate for 10 days in line with the guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection.

What happens if the test is negative?

Those with a negative LFD test result can continue to attend school unless they have been individually advised otherwise by NHS Test and Trace or Public Health professionals (for example as a close contact).

What if students have been in close contact with someone at school who tests positive?

The student will be notified that they are a close contact by the school and will need to self-isolate for 10 days in line with Government guidance.

What if my child develops symptoms?

The testing programme at Avanti House School is for people with no symptoms. If your child develops symptoms at any time (including 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.