Latest news
DfE Covid guidance on testing and travelling to school safely
- 04/03/2021
- Posted by: Endre Gal
- Category: News
Asymptomatic testing information for parents and adults in households with children at school or college
NHS Test and Trace announced earlier this week, that all adults in households with school and college age children without symptoms can now access regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.
Test kits can either be collected or ordered online, as set out below. You should not give test kits to parents, carers or household members and should not order more test kits for this purpose. Secondary school and college learners will continue to access testing through their school or college.
Please share the information below with your parent networks to help answer any questions they may have.
Undertaking regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing helps reduce transmission of the virus. Parents and other adults in households with children at school or college, who do not have symptoms, can now access regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. This includes childcare and support bubbles.
Tests are fast, easy and completely free. There are different ways for a household, childcare or support bubble to collect their test to take at home, twice-weekly:
– through your employer, if they offer testing to employees – by collecting a home test kit from a local test site – anyone aged 18 or over can collect 2 packs of 7 tests – by ordering a home test kit online – please do not order online if you can access testing through other routes, this frees up home delivery for those who need it most |
If you have any queries about the tests, and you live in England, please call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day from 7am to 11pm.
Children of primary school age (and below) without symptoms are not being asked to take a test.
Testing is voluntary, but strongly recommended to all who are eligible. Alongside the vaccine, washing hands, wearing face coverings, and maintaining social distancing, rapid testing plays a vital 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.
Travelling to school safely
As part of your ongoing communications with your learners and their parents, you may wish to share the following messages on how learners can travel to and from school safely:
– if you live a short distance from your school or college, walk, cycle or scoot to and from school wherever it is possible and safe to do so – avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble – if you are using public transport to get to school or college, plan ahead and allow more time for your journey – when you are travelling by public or dedicated school transport, don’t forget to: – wear a face covering (unless you are exempt, including if you are aged 11 and under). It is important you wear them for the entirety of your journey, including inside a bus or train station – social distance where possible – wash or sanitise your hands regularly – be considerate to fellow passengers and staff. |
Further information can be found in our guidance on transport to school and other places of education. The Department for Transport has also created resources that can be downloaded and used by education settings to promote safe travel to school.