Mr Evans said: Covid-19 testing has been working well with students testing themselves in supervised conditions carefully and sensibly. There has been one positive test so far on Monday for a year 12 student and we were able to rapidly identify close contacts so that they could self-isolate. Classrooms were deep cleaned and parents of close contacts were notified and they collected their child quickly.
The coronavirus testing hub at John Masefield High School in Ledbury At the time of writing [Friday] all students have had their second test and older students their third test. All students will have completed their third test by Monday, March 15.
SECONDARY schools in Herefordshire are gearing up to reopen to all pupils in less than two weeks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the return to the classroom on Monday, with all pupils due back on March 8 after two months of learning from home. Secondary school and college students will be expected to carry out twice-weekly testing, but this is voluntary and not compulsory. Initially testing will be at school, but students will then be expected to carrt out tests at home. Headteachers are urging parents to give permission as it should prevent any outbreaks. The lateral flow devices which will be used can return a result with 30 minutes, and are being used to find asymptomatic cases.
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It s a similar situation at St Mary s RC High School in Lugwardine. In a letter to parents on January 29, headteacher Stuart Weston said: At school we have also got our Covid test centre fully up and running, and to date we have successfully conducted over 400 lateral flow tests – all of which have been negative. In line with government guidance, we are currently testing those staff who are in school twice a week together with our vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers. We envisage having the test centre in place for the return of all pupils whenever that may be and unless guidance around testing changes in the interim.