Free Coronavirus Home Test Kits

From 1 March 2021, if you’re a member of a household, childcare bubble or support bubble of staff or a pupil you can get a twice-weekly test (this includes parents of Primary and Nursery aged children):

 

Where do I get the lateral flow tests from?

 

1. Through your employer if they offer testing to employees - contact your employer to find out.

 

2. At a local test site - testing at these sites is assisted, which means you will swab yourself under the supervision of a trained operator. You may need to book an appointment.

Find your nearest rapid lateral flow test site.

 

3. By collecting a home test kit from a test site.

You can collect two packs of home test kits at a local collection point. Each pack contains seven tests.

Anyone 18 or over can collect. You can check online if the location is busy before you go.

Find your nearest home test kit collection point.

 

4. By ordering a home test kit online

If you cannot get tested at your workplace, or are unable to go to a test site or collect test kits, you can order a home test kit online.

 

Do not order online if you can get a test through other methods. This frees up home delivery for those who need it most.

Order rapid lateral flow home test kits

 

What does twice-weekly testing involve?

You will be asked to:

• take a test twice a week (every 3 or 4 days apart)
• report every result to NHS Test and Trace on the same day you take the test

 

Report your test result online or by calling 119.

 

If anyone tests positive or gets coronavirus symptoms, they should tell the school and:

• self-isolate immediately
• get a PCR test to confirm the result
• follow the stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection

 

A negative result means the test did not find signs of coronavirus. But this does not guarantee you do not have coronavirus, so you should keep following all coronavirus advice including handwashing, social distancing and wearing a face covering where recommended.

 

How long does it take to get the result?

It only takes 30 minutes to get a result from the test.

 

When should I start doing the tests?

Tests are available now and parents and carers should begin testing once their children have returned to school this month (March).

 

Do I have to do the tests?

Taking part in testing is strongly encouraged but is not mandatory. 

 

In a statement Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

 

"As we continue to roll out the vaccine, testing offers us a way forward. Sustained and repeated testing for people without symptoms has a critical role to play as sections of society are reopened by driving down transmission rates.

 

"By everyone playing their part and getting tested regularly, vital public services, workplaces and educational settings can stay open and running, and we can move closer to a more normal way of life."

 

Professor Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England, added: "These rapid tests help uncover hidden cases of the virus and break chains of transmission, stopping outbreaks before they occur.

 

"Combined with other protective measures, they are a vital tool to help us lower infection rates and ensure that they stay low.

 

"I would encourage all eligible households to take up the offer of twice weekly rapid testing – it’s quick and painless and could help save lives."

We are attempting to get laptops out to those in need. We have received limited stocks from the Department for Education and are also using our in-school laptops for this purpose.  We are continuing to try to get additional devices to enable the best possible remote learning experience for children.  If you have issues please contact us and we will do our very best to support you.