Dear Parent/Guardian, We are working to keep our school as safe as possible. You may have heard that testing for those without coronavirus symptoms is beginning across the country using new, quicker Covid-19 tests, and our school will be starting this in January. The NHS Test and Trace team will be testing in the school once a week those who want to participate from. In addition, the programme will help pupils to stay in education, by enabling close contacts of someone who tests positive to stay in school if they do a daily test for seven days. This is known as ‘serial testing’. Along with the other measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and pupils to work safely. Up to one third of people who have coronavirus have no symptoms, so by supporting them to self-isolate we will save lives and help keep our school open and as safe as possible. The test is voluntary, but I would encourage everyone to take it. I will be taking one. What if a close contact at school/college tests positive? A close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to return to school if they agree to be tested once a day for 7 days, and the test is negative. If not, they will need to self-isolate as per the national guidelines. This does not apply to household members or close contacts outside of school who will still need to self-isolate. Further details will be provided at the time, but if you would prefer to self-isolate instead of doing daily testing, you can. If you are happy for your child to be tested, please fill in the consent form on our website by clicking on the link below.   https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DC7QG8N Students in Years 12 and 13 can complete the consent form themselves, having discussed participation with their parents/guardian.  Read the full letter here