A guide to Covid-19 Related pupil absence

Covid Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why do I need to test my child at home?

Testing is important because you or your child could be carrying the virus and spread it to others without knowing.  Testing all staff and students of secondary age and above without symptoms will support the education sector and our school to continue to operate as efficiently and safely as possible. 

 

What is the difference between a lateral flow test and a PCR test?

• A lateral flow test can give a result in 30 minutes at home using a device similar to a pregnancy test
• A PCR test is sent to a lab to be checked and the results are normally sent to you via text or email within 3-5 days.

 

How often should I test my child at home?

Home testing is voluntary, but the government recommends that you should test your child twice a week, (every 3-4 days) preferably before coming into school in the morning or the night before.

 

Do I have to report my child’s test results

• Yes, you need to report your child’s test results, whether negative or positive, via a form on our School App.  This can be downloaded at this link: https://www.myedschoolapp.com/.   
• You also need to report your child’s test result via the NHS Test and Trace at this link: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result 

 

What if my child tests negative?

Send your child into school as normal.  Report the test results to the school via the school App (https://www.myedschoolapp.com/) and the NHS Test and Trace App (https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result) 

 

What do I do if my child's test is positive?

You and your household need to self isolate immediately.  Please contact the school with your child’s name, tutor group and details of the test and symptoms.  You then need to  keep your child off school and get a confirmatory PCR test via the NHS at this link: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test 

 

What do I do if my child has covid-19 symptoms?

Your child will have been given a set of lateral flow tests to take at home.  Get your child to take a test and if he/she tests positive, let the school know and keep him/her off school.  You then need to get a PCR test which can be booked through the NHS at this link

 

What if the confirmatory (PCR) test is negative?

Your child can then come into school, but it's important that you please phone your child’s head of year or deputy head of year to inform them, so that we can immediately inform other students sent home that they can return to school .

 

What if my child has been sent home because they have been in close contact with a child who tests positive?

Your child will need to stay home and  isolate for 10 days, the school will inform you of the date when he/she can return to school.  However, if the child who they were in contact with takes a further test and the result is negative, we will inform you and you may send your child back to school.

 

What does it mean to isolate?

For full guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus cases, go to the Government web page at this link.

 

My child's sibling from another school has been told to isolate because they have been in contact with a positive case at their school.  Does the whole family have to isolate?

No, only the sibling will have to isolate, but we advise that you test all members of your family every 3-4 days with the lateral flow tests.  If any of these tests are positive, then you need to get a confirmatory PCR test at this link.  If this comes back positive, then the whole household needs to isolate according to government guidelines at this link.  

What if my child tests negative?

Send your child into school as normal.  Report the test results to the school via the school App (https://www.myedschoolapp.com/) and the NHS Test and Trace App (https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result) 

 

What do I do if someone in my household tests positive?

You need to self isolate the whole household.  Do not send your child to school, contact the school to inform us and agree an earliest date for possible return.  

My child has been in close contact with someone at school who has tested positive, what do I do?

We will inform you and send your child home.  We will let you know of an earliest date for possible return.  Your child will be given remote education support from school, please support them in this.

 

My child says he/she has been in contact with a student who has tested positive but they have not been asked to isolate.  Why is this?

Only students who have had close contact with a positive test result need to isolate, and the school follows seating plans for all lessons so that we can identify these students. 

 

Will school work be provided when my child is off school?

The school will provide virtual learning for students who are isolating, and teachers will set work from the National Oak Academy at this link https://www.thenational.academy/. and other work via Google classroom. 

 

My child is struggling to access remote learning

All information is available at this link

 

Can I claim financial support if asked to self isolate due to a positive covid test?

You may be eligible to claim financial support under the Government Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme if you are asked to self isolate due to a positive covid test.  Use this link to find out more information: