Covid testing to be carried out on Melton students

Rapid response lateral flow testing kits, which can give results after as little as 30 minutes, will be used as part of the government’s latest move to limit further spread of the virus.

There will also be a staggered return to school for the new term at both Long Field Academy and John Ferneley College, with those in Year 11, children of designated key workers and vulnerable youngsters going back for the week beginning January 4.

The other students at both schools will stay at home and take part in remote learning classes for that week until they return the week starting January 11.

Chris Haggett, principal at Long Field Academy, told the Melton Times: “The plan is to test all staff and students, with parental permission, in the week beginning January 4, with the plan to have the whole school back the following week.

“It was very short notice but we like a challenge and we can make it work.

“Fundamentally it does make sense to test everyone but it would just have been nice to find out a bit earlier.

“As someone who was quite poorly with Covid in late March I really understand how important it is to do all we can.”

Christine Stansfield, executive headteacher at John Ferneley College, says her school is still formulating its plans around testing.

In a letter to parents, she wrote: “We now know that the government intention is that all secondary schools will have access to ‘rapid-flow testing’ for both staff and students, from the start of the new year.

“There will clearly be plenty of questions around what this will actually look like, and we await further guidance through the Christmas break, and into the new year.

“Once the government has made it clear, with process, then we will outline to parents, guardians and students what our approach will be as a school.

“Alongside this last minute announcement from the government, and in order to set-up the logistics and ensure time is given to staff to complete training for testing, on site, the government have announced that the majority of students will now remain at home after the Christmas break, following remote education during week commencing January 4.”

After an unprecendented year in which students have had to learn at home for long periods and forfeited the chance to take exams, Mrs Stansfield added: “What this term has taught me, is that, we can only do remarkable things together, as a team, and as a community.

“I have been extremely impressed with our students’ maturity, understanding and acceptance of the various infringements that Covid-19 has made on their freedoms and well-being.

“It is certainly a time in history that they, and we, will never forget.”

Parents of youngsters at Melton’s Birch Wood Area Special School are advised that all students are expected to return at the start of the new term, on January 5.

This applies those who attend both the Grange Drive and the Birch Wood Vale sites.

Staff say they will be in touch with parents and carers about how Covid testing will be carried out at the school.