14^th July 2021

Onsite Testing in School – September 2021 – Information for Years 8 - 11

Dear parents and carers,

As the country moves to Step 4 of the Roadmap, the government will continue to manage the risk of serious illness from the spread of the virus. This marks a new phase in the government’s response to the pandemic, moving away from stringent restrictions on everyone’s day-to-day lives, towards advising people on how to protect themselves and others, alongside targeted interventions to reduce risk.  As COVID-19 becomes a virus that we learn to live with, it is now more important than ever, to reduce the disruption to children’s education - particularly given that the direct clinical risks to children are extremely low, and every adult has been offered a first vaccine and the opportunity for two doses by mid-September.

When students return to school in September, we have been asked to undertake two onsite Lateral Flow Tests to offer an additional level of protection before everyone returns.  The first test is planned to take place on Friday 3^rd September with the second on Monday 6^th September.  Students from Years 8 – 10 will be invited in for half an hour on Friday 3^rd September to do their first test with all students returning on Monday 6^th September when the second test will take place. Further details of the times can be found in the end of term letter.

This form should only be fill out if we do not have consent for your child to participate in onsite Testing. If you would like your child to participate in the testing upon our return please complete the form below. 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=70bgJyRMHkq7OpF-8w3afjMloiDccOBLtHeBZZzaNABUNTVFV1dRVzhYSUVVQVhKUjJKTFg2UjBJUy4u

By giving your consent, you are giving permission for your child to be tested twice on their return to school in September.  We have a number of trained school staff who will be conducting the testing in school.  The Privacy Notice which outlines how data on your child is recorded for testing purposes is available on the school website.

Parents will be informed by phone if your child tests positive and the child will then have to take a PCR test, isolating until the result is returned.  If the PCR test result is positive, they will then need to isolate for the 10 days from the date of the lateral flow test conducted in school. Parents will not be contacted if the results are negative.

We ask that if you agree to the testing, for you to complete the consent form by Wednesday 16^th July so that plans can be implemented in time for our return to school in September.  If you have any questions, please email admin@blaconhigh.cheshire.sch.uk

Thank you for your support.

Regards,

Mrs Rachel Hudson

Headteacher