Rapid Testing

From January 2021 Schools have been asked by the Department for Education to provide Rapid Testing for students and staff using a test called the Lateral Flow Test.

Participation in these tests is optional.

This webpage provides information for parents/carers on the rapid testing. How it works, what happens with positive / negative results and access to our consent form for rapid testing.

We need parents/carers to complete a consent form if you wish your child to participate in the rapid testing process. Before completing the consent form, please see the video and testing process information provided and then consider the following statements:

• I have discussed the testing with my child and my child is happy to participate. If on the day of testing they do not wish to take part, then they will not be made to do so and consent can be withdrawn at any time ahead of the test.
• I consent to my child having a nose and throat swab for a lateral flow test.
• I consent that my child’s sample(s) will be tested for the presence of COVID-19.
• I understand that if my child’s result(s) are negative on the lateral flow test I will not be contacted by New Forest School unless they are a close contact of a confirmed positive.
• If the lateral flow test indicates the presence of COVID-19, I consent to my child having a nose and throat swab for confirmatory PCR testing, which shall be sent the same day to an NHS Test & Trace laboratory.
• I understand that they will need to self-isolate following a positive lateral flow test result, until the results of the confirmatory PCR have been received.
• I agree that if my child’s test results are confirmed to be positive from this PCR test, I will report this to the school and I understand that my child will be required to self-isolate following public health advice.
• I consent that if a close contact of my child tests positive but my child has tested negative, they can continue to attend school but will be tested every day at school for 7 days.

Having read these statements, please complete our consent form by clicking the link below to let us know if you do / do not provide consent:

The diagram below (click image to enlarge) provides details on the process of Lateral Flow Testing.

Serial testing is designed to allow ‘close contacts’ (students and/or staff) of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 to return to New Forest School if you have agreed to be tested daily for 7 days instead of having to self-isolate for 10 days.

The document from the NHS displayed (click to enlarge) provides more information on serial testing.

This flowchart provided (click to enlarge)  summarises what a positive / negative result means for you and your household.

This flowchart provided (click to enlarge)  summarises what a positive / negative result means for staff members and their households.