NHS Test & Trace

In-school testing (LFT)

As part of NHS ‘Test and Trace’, all students will be offered one lateral flow test on their return to school in January.

Participation rates amongst students for in-school testing are much higher than home testing – therefore, more likely to detect positive cases and prevent circulation in school. Although voluntary, we strongly encourage all students to participate in this testing programme.

When will students return to school?

Students will return to school as follows, whether they take part in lateral flow testing or not:

Thursday, 6th January, 9am – Years 7 and 11;
Friday, 7th January, 9am – Years 8, 9 and 10.

Remote education for all years will begin at 9am on Wednesday, 5th Janaury.

When will students take an in-school test?

Families must book their child’s test for the following days:

Wednesday, 5th January – Years 7 and 11 (9am to 3.30pm);
Thursday, 6th January – Years 8, 9 and 10 (9am to 3.30pm).

Siblings in different year groups may need to test on different days due to the strict testing schedule.

How do I book an in-school test?

Appointments are made online:

If you have not submitted previously, complete the online consent form (one per child).

Click here to give your consent to lateral flow testing

Book your test by midday on Wednesday, 15th December.

Click here to book your pre-test

Ensure your child arrives in plenty of time for their appointment wearing a face covering.

Click here for further instructions on the booking system

How am I tested?

Testing is held in the main hall and typically takes around 10-15 minutes. Everyone taking a test is asked to self-swab in a discrete part of the testing area. Self-swabbing is quick and easy.

Watch a video on how to self-swab

Students must leave site once the test is complete. The car park will be open during the hours of testing. All results are shared with parents via text and/or email using the national ‘test and trace’ system.

Why is consent necessary?

Consent must be given by young people and colleagues to be tested in school. Taking part in the programme is voluntary, so individuals must consent to their test results being shared in accordance with the privacy notice.

What happens after the test?

Testing will allow students to return straight to the classroom on the day of their return. Families should therefore plan to minimise any possible exposure to coronavirus in the run up to the new academic year..

What about home-testing?

After the in-school test has been taken, students should resume twice-weekly home-testing.

All testing is free of charge. 

Home testing (LFT)

Who is being tested and why?

Home testing is voluntary but strongly recommended. Alongside the vaccine, washing hands, wearing face coverings, and maintaining social distancing, testing plays an important role in reducing transmission rates. Getting into the habit of regular testing as part of our everyday lives will help us all to play our part and do what we can to protect each other. All students will be offered access to home testing.

When to do the test

Tests should be done twice a week, 3 – 4 days apart, typically on Monday and Thursday mornings.
Tests should ideally be done before coming into school, if this is not possible then the night before. From opening the box to seeing your result, it takes about 40 minutes, so make sure you give yourself enough time. Swabbing only takes about 10 minutes.

Taking a home test

If you are 11, the test must be done by a parent – the parent must do the swabbing.
If you are 12 to 16, the test must be supervised by a parent – but the child can self-swab. Students are well practiced in self-swabbing through the onsite programme.

Watch a video on how to self-test using an LFD

Reporting results

You must report the results to NHS ‘Test and Trace’.

Click here to report your home test result

You must report either a ‘positive’, ‘negative’ or ‘void’ result. If you take the test, you must report the result.

If your child tests ‘positive’, you should contact the school office.

Using a confirmatory PCR test

If your LFT result is ‘void’, you need to do another LFT. If that is also ‘void’ then you must get a confirmatory PCR test and self-isolate until the result is known (Get a free PCR from the NHS).
If your LFT result is ‘positive’, you must get a confirmatory PCR test (Get a free PCR from the NHS). You must self-isolate and members of your household must also self-isolate.
If the PCR test is ‘negative’, and the PCR was test was taken within 2 days of the LFT, then you and your household can stop self-isolating and you can return to school.
If the PCR test is ‘positive’, you and your household must continue to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of the LFT home test. You must follow government guidance in Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. Again, you must tell the school of the outcome of the confirmatory PCR test using office@ryecollege.co.uk.

Household testing (LFT)

Test kits sent home by school are for student use only. However, if you are a member of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble for a student or colleague, you can get your own twice weekly test.

This can be through workplace testing, attending a test site, collecting tests from your nearest collection site, or, there will be a supply of rapid tests for order online for those who need them the most. Further details are available at Get a home test kit for your household.

Please note tests cannot be ordered through the school.