Ashby School students will be able to attend lessons tomorrow (Thursday) – despite a classmate testing positive for coronavirus and between 60-70 pupils sent home.

Because Ashby School has opted to take part in the Daily Contact Testing (DCT) trial, pupils who test negative before lessons start will still be able to learn in school, rather than switching to online learning as before.

The BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service understands there has been one confirmed positive case in Year 10 and around 60-70 pupils, who have potentially been in close contact with the case, have since been sent home with information packs outlining what happens next.

A parent said: "They have been told to isolate at home, but have the option to attend testing daily before school each day.

"If they get a negative result, they can still attend classes.

"My teenager is pretty upset about having to isolate – especially with the bank holiday coming up. But it's good the school is taking measures to stop them from missing out on lessons and learning, especially after so much home schooling.

"When my primary school aged child had to isolate before it was home and stay there for a fortnight, so this has to be progress."

Within the leaflets and letters sent to families, are instructions on how to participate in the Daily Contact Testing (DCT) trial.

advertisement

Introducing the scheme, Mrs Nicola Koncarevic, the school's headteacher, writes: "I am extremely proud that the school is participating in this trial.

"The Ashby community will have played a part in supporting the suppression of Covid-19, leading to new protocols in combating the disease."

The trial will see pupils who would normally be instructed to isolate at home, allowed to attend school for a rapid test before lessons start every day for seven school days.

Tests will take place in a marquee away from the main building and pupils will wait in the testing area until they get a result.

If it is negative, they will be able to enter school and attend lessons, while following existing Covid rules.

If it is positive, students will remain in the testing area until they are picked up by a parent to isolate at home.

All pupils will have to isolate outside of school hours – including evenings and weekends for ten days, in line with national guidance.

The trial is not mandatory – parents and pupils who do not want to take part can isolate at home.

advertisement