Director's Message - 15th December 2020

Dear Colleagues,

1. Testing for secondary school pupils and their families / household contacts

With rising case rates in London, in-person symptomatic testing channels will accept asymptomatic residents who wish to get tested.

Based on the current picture, this additional testing is focused on secondary school aged children and young people, and their families / household contacts. Currently, this testing will be available up to and beyond the end of term and we will let you know if this changes.

How to book a test

Go to: Get a test

Select the following answers:

No - essential worker
No - symptoms
No - pilot project
My local council has asked me to get a test and booking is essential

Please could all schools share the information above with their families to ensure that this offer is accessible to secondary school pupils and their contacts.

2. Testing for Hillingdon school staff at the Civic Centre

All school staff can book onto asymptomatic Covid testing at Hillingdon Council's Civic Centre in Uxbridge by using this booking link.

3. Rapid asymptomatic testing in secondary schools and colleges from January 2021

The government has released their testing arrangements for secondary schools and colleges, to start in January 2021. There are plans to extend this to primary schools at a later date. Staff are able to have routine testing weekly with pupils undertaking serial testing. Testing material will be provided at no cost and there is an opportunity to be reimbursed for reasonable workforce support costs. Introductory webinar details will be shared shortly. In the meantime, please see here for the guidance and handbook [1MB] and press release for further information.

For any queries relating to schools' January testing, please contact:

DfE Covid helpline: 0800 046 8687

Email: RapidTesting.Schools@education.gov.uk

Clinical concerns telephone: 119

Regards,

Dan