12th March 2021
Students testing at Home using Lateral Flow Device Test Kits
Secondary school students at Beckfoot Thornton, Beckfoot Oakbank, Beckfoot Upper Heaton and Beckfoot Schools will soon be given lateral Flow device tests for use at home as part of the Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing Programme. The tests will help to make sure the school environment is safer for everyone by identifying cases where an infected person has no symptoms.
Your own school will be sharing information with you, some of which you can find below including links to further information.
Remember - If you do have symptoms (fever, continuous cough, loss or change of sense of smell or taste) you and your household/bubble should self-isolate immediately, you should book a PCR test and follow national guidelines. Do not rely on the home test to confirm if you have Covid-19 in this circumstance.
You can find the national guidelines here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/
You can order your PCR test here: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
When you will get your home test kits and when you should take the tests.
Initially the test kits will be handed out around the time of the 'third' lateral flow test in school. Students will then be able to collect further home test kits, your school will advise how. Tests are free of charge. Each box will contain 3 test kits and a leaflet explaining how to take the test and report the results. Your school will confirm which days you should test. Make sure you have enough time to do the test. Preferably this would be in the morning. However, we understand that for some students this may be challenging. Therefore, tests can be taken the evening before school. (e.g. Sunday and Wednesday evenings).
Taking the test
General guidance can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-self-test-help
What should I do after I have completed the home test?
Positive result – you, your household and any support bubbles you are part of should self-isolate immediately, in line with NHS Test and Trace guidance, for 10 days. Please inform school immediately. You also need to order a confirmatory PCR test using this link:
https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Negative result - A negative result does not guarantee that you are not carrying the virus. So, you should continue to follow social distancing, and other measures to reduce transmission such as wearing a face covering, regularly washing your hands and observing social distancing.
Void – Record the result (see below) and take another test. If you have two void tests in a row, please book a PCR. You do not need to self isolate because of void results.
Whatever the result is - you need to report your result to both NHS Test and Trace and school separately using this link
https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result and the link that is shared by your school.
Taking part in testing is voluntary and all pupils will be able to attend school whether they take part in testing or not. However, we would strongly encouraging all students to take part. Please contact your school if you have any questions or concerns about home testing.
Thank you for your support in keeping our communities safe and our schools open.
Some frequently asked questions
Do I need to give consent?
Students and parents do not need to give written consent to take part in the home testing programme. Taking the test kits and using them is deemed to be consent. If you want to know how the data will be used please refer to the test and trace privacy notice:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-privacy-information
Can my child take the test themselves?
Students aged 18 and over should do the test themselves and report the result, with help if they need it. Students aged 12-17 should do the test themselves with adult supervision. The adult may help the [pupil/student] to take the test if they need support. Students aged 11 must be tested by an adult and the adult must report the result.
What happens in case of accident or injury?
If an accident or injury happens whilst using the test kit, please seek medical care by calling 111 (or 999 if it is an emergency). Please also report what happened using this website:
https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
Can I or someone else in my household use a test kit sent home from school?
No, however whole families and households with primary school, secondary school, and college age children, including childcare and support bubbles, will be able to test themselves twice every week from home. More information about how to access this service can be found here:
