Students will shortly be moving to twice weekly, rapid COVID-19 testing at home. This is following their first three supervised tests on site at school. Up to 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms and could be spreading it without knowing. Getting into a regular habit of testing twice a week will help stop the virus spreading, keeping your family and friends safer.
We will be sending home COVID-19 testing kits with your child from week commencing Monday, 15 March. Tests will only be issued to students that have given consent to be tested in school. Please make sure your child tests themselves twice a week 3-4 days apart, in the morning before school if possible and, if not, the evening before. Please see below suggested testing schedule for all year groups.
Home Testing Schedule
Your child should also continue testing twice a week, at home, throughout the Easter school holidays. We will be sending home extra kits for Easter holiday before term ends.
This does not replace testing for those with symptoms. If you have symptoms you must self-isolate immediately, book a PCR test and follow national guidelines.
Reporting results
It is really important that results of test are reported online straight away, even if your child’s result is negative or void. It’s easy to do at www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result.
Results can also be reported via telephone by calling 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day, 7am to 11pm.It is important to keep a note of your child’s results and share with school. Your child should inform their Form Tutor the following morning if the test is negative. If the test is positive, please contact the Academy directly on 0121 558 8086 or info@collegiateacademy.org.uk
Testing for parents, households and bubbles twice a week
A reminder that regular rapid testing is now also available for parents, their households and support or childcare bubbles. The government is encouraging all families to participate in twice weekly testing to help stop the spread.
Parents and other adults in the household can access tests by:
• Ordering tests online www.gov.uk/order-school-household-tests
• Getting an assisted test at work, if it is available
• Attending a test site to get tested (where you will be able to see how to take the test) or pick up tests to do at home.
Please note the Academy is not able to provide tests for families.
We continue to encourage everyone to take part in regular Covid-19 testing.
Kind regards
Mr Irish
Principal
