Wandsworth School Staff Given Covid-19 Testing Kits
Teachers can check they are not infected before returning to classroom
Home Covid testing kit being delivered to a local school
Schools across the borough are making preparations for a return to classes in January by providing staff with Covid-19 home testing kits.
69 schools across Wandsworth have received the kits so that when classes resume in January at the start of the spring term, each one will have taken steps to keep the virus at bay.
Prior to pupils returning staff at each school can be tested to make sure they are not infected. Any member of staff that tests positive will be able to isolate and prevent the spread of the virus among the school community.
It has been announced that primary school children in the borough will not be returning on 4 January as planned with the government saying it will regularly review when it is safe for younger children to return.
The education secretary Gavin Williamson told BBC Breakfast that remote learning would be "mandatory" from the week commencing 11 January for all secondary students, other than years 11 and 13 who would physically return to school on that date.
Secondary school pupils in exam years will return to classrooms on January 11 with the remainder of pupils returning a week later on January 18 to allow for the implementation of mass testing.
Education spokesman Cllr Will Sweet said: “Testing is a major weapon in the fight against Coronavirus. Ensuring that staff are not infected and can continue teaching will help keep pupils safe and schools open.
“Parents can rest assured that comprehensive steps have already been taken and will continue to be taken to ensure classrooms are safe for their children. What is important is for the children to continue learning and enjoying their days at school.
“School is the best and safest place for our young people to be. The health and safety of young people, families and school staff remains our top priority.”
If anyone in the school becomes unwell with a new and persistent cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell, they will be sent home and advised to follow national guidance which sets out that they should self-isolate for at least ten days and should arrange to have a test to see if they have coronavirus.
For more information about getting a test and who is eligible visit this link.
December 31, 2020