Last week, on the last day of term, the Government published guidance on mass rapid testing in schools for staff and pupils.
There are a range of issues for schools to address to set up mass rapid testing including finding a suitable testing site and the recruitment of staff as recommended by the NHS, to manage the testing sites in schools.
The short timescale for the introduction of the new testing regime in schools for the new term is challenging to say the least. Many of our Enfield teachers have already expressed their concerns about the Government’s support for the new testing regime.
Today Enfield Council has contacted all headteachers in the borough to ask them to complete a survey on the preparations for the introduction of COVID testing in schools and what support they require.
Over the coming weeks Enfield Council will make representations to the Government about the challenges headteachers tell us Enfield schools face.
Mass rapid testing in schools must be rolled out properly and efficiently to keep our communities safe from coronavirus, but our schools need adequate support to do this and they must be reimbursed for the costs they incur.
Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Leader of Enfield Council
Cllr Rick Jewell, Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services
Text of Letter to teachers re mass coronavirus testing in schools
Dear Headteacher/Principal,
On 15 December, the Government announced there would be mass rapid testing in schools for staff and pupils. Further details emerged throughout the week and on 18 December, the last day of term, more detailed guidance was provided on the DfE website. The link to this was sent to you on Monday 21 December.
As you know, there are a range of issues for schools to address to set up mass rapid testing, including finding a suitable testing site and the recruitment of staff as recommended by the NHS to manage the testing sites.
We are writing to ask about your preparations for the introduction of COVID-19 testing for staff and pupils.
We are very aware that the short timescale for the introduction of this new testing regime is challenging to say the least and it is very unclear as to whether everything can be in place for the start of term.
Many of you have expressed concern about the Government’s support for schools to implement mass rapid testing in the timeframe requested and particularly that this decision was left so very late in the school term.
In order to gain a more detailed picture of the challenges Enfield schools face in rolling out rapid testing, we are requesting that you complete a very short survey – please see the link below.
The survey seeks to understand where your school is at with preparations and asks what support you need. It would be very helpful if you could return this survey at your earliest convenience.
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be using every opportunity to make representation to the Government about the issues raised by you in relation to mass rapid testing being rolled out properly and efficiently, with schools appropriately reimbursed for the costs you incur.
