What to do if your child or a member of your family show symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive
My child has symptoms - What do we need to do?
If your child falls ill in school we will contact parents to come and collect your child.
If your child develops any of the following symptoms whether at school or at home, your child must self-isolate and you must arrange a PCR coronavirus test.
To arrange a test follow the link here - Book a Coronavirus test or by calling 119. Our nearest test centre is at Wroughton Park and Ride on Pipers Way, walk in facilities may also be available around Swindon or you can order a home testing kit, which can be arranged by following the link to book a test.
Do NOT go to the GP Surgery, Hospital or Pharmacy.
You must test using a PCR test at a test center or one sent to your home address. Lateral Flow tests are for asymptomatic testing and not designed for Primary school children.
My child has had a PCR test and it’s negative.
If a child tests negative and if they feel well and no longer have symptoms similar to coronavirus (COVID-19), they can stop self-isolating and return to school. If the pupil remains unwell following the test (such as with a different illness), then they can return when well enough to do so.
My child has had a PCR test and it’s positive.
If a child tests positive, they should continue to self-isolate for at least 10 days from the onset of their symptoms. They should only return to school if they do not have symptoms other than a cough or loss of sense of smell or taste (anosmia). This is because a cough or anosmia can last for several weeks once the infection has gone.
Please keep the school informed as to your situation so we can record their absence appropriately. Attendance will not be affected by following the guidelines on isolation due to COVID-19.
Someone in the child’s household has symptoms or has tested positive.
From 16 August 2021 children aged under 18 years and 6 months are no longer required to self isolate if they have been in contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It is advised that they get a PCR test if they have had close contact with this person.
NHS Test and Trace
Anyone who tests positive for Coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions. This could include household members, people with whom they have been in direct contact, or within 2 meters for more than 15 minutes.
People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test should follow current Government guidance.
For further information please follow the link below.
NHS CORONAVIRUS ADVICE
What happens if a child has tested positive for coronavirus and has been attending school?
Following current government guidelines schools are no longer required to track and trace or to close bubbles. Track and Trace will now be undertaken by NHS Tracing who will contact any close contacts to advise them as to what they need to do. We will however give support to NHS Tracing should it be required.
IMPORTANT re Use of Lateral Flow Covid Tests
Please could we politely remind Parents/Carers of the current Government guidelines in regards to testing for Covid-19 (Government Guidance on testing)
If your child or anyone in your household has one of the following symptoms
- New continuous cough
- High temperature
- Loss of taste and smell
or you are worried they may be developing symptoms, you need to get a PCR test at a test center. Your child and your household then need to isolate until you receive the results.
Lateral flow tests should only be used for asymptomatic testing (for people who display no symptoms).
Current advice is that Primary school children do not need to be regularly tested using the Lateral Flow Devices (click here for further information).
It is really important that if you feel your child or a member of your household needs to be tested because they have symptoms you book a PCR test (booking a test) and isolate until you get the results.
If you inform the school that your child has one of the above symptoms you need to
- Book a PCR test and isolate (all members of your household) until you receive the results.
- or isolate for 10 days before returning to school.
We cannot allow children who have had symptoms and then taken a Lateral Flow Test back into school for everyone’s safety.
Test and Trace support payment for parents
Parents and carers of children who have been advised to self-isolate by their education setting or by NHS Test and Trace are now able to apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment or discretionary payment of £500, if they meet the eligibility criteria. The extension of the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme, which is administered by district and unitary local authorities in England, ensures that parents receive the financial support they need if they are unable to attend work due to childcare responsibilities.
Parents and carers should apply to their local authority to receive a payment. Applications for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme are made via the local authority in which the parent or carer resides, not the local authority where the setting is situated, if these are different.
To be eligible applicants must meet all of the criteria that:
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That their child or young person:
For more information or to apply for this payment please follow this link - https://www.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payment
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