Frequently Asked Questions: Home Covid-19 Testing for Students
What type of tests will be used?
We are sending home Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. They are a fast and simple way to test people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but who may still be spreading the virus.
The tests are easy to use and give results in 30 minutes.
Further information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-lateral-flow-antigen-testingfor-people-without-symptoms
Can I take the test myself?
Students aged 18 and over should do the test themselves and report the result to the NHS and to the College, with help if they need it. Students aged 12-17 should do the test themselves with adult supervision.
Help and support is available (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-self-test-help), including instructions in different languages on how to test and report the results and a video showing you how to take the test.
This does not replace symptomatic testing. If you have symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately, book a PCR test and follow national guidelines.
Why take part
Taking part in testing is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Testing at home will allow you and other students to attend college as safely as possible.
Reporting problems or issues with testing
If there is an issue with the test kit, for example something is missing, please report it by calling 119 and please also email the college at info@uspcollege.ac.uk.
If an accident or injury happens whilst using the test kit, please seek medical care by calling 111 (or 999 if it is an emergency). Please also report what happened using this website: https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
Are LFD tests accurate?
Lateral Flow Devices identify people who are likely to be infectious. These individuals tend to spread the virus to many people and so identifying them through this test is important.
These tests have been widely and successfully used to detect COVID-19 in asymptomatic individuals and are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The speed and convenience of the tests supports the detection of the virus in asymptomatic individuals, who would not otherwise have got tested.
The tests are highly specific, with low chance of false positives. They are also very sensitive and are able to identify the majority of the most infectious, yet asymptomatic individuals. Extensive evaluation has been carried out on the tests and it shows that they are both accurate and sensitive enough to be used in the community for screening and surveillance purposes.
It is important to remember that these tests are only an aid to help stop the spread of the virus and you should continue to follow other guidance such as on wearing face coverings and social distancing.
How are LFD tests different to PCR tests?
There are 2 main types of test to check if you have coronavirus:
- polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests check for the genetic material (RNA) of the virus in the sample - you send the sample for processing at a lab
- lateral flow device (LFD) tests detect proteins called ‘antigens’ produced by the virus
LFD tests give rapid results, in 30 minutes after taking the test.
Do I need to send the test to a lab?
No. The LFDs supplied do not need to be sent to a laboratory to get a result and can give a quick result in around 30 minutes. Guidance on self-testing is contained in the ‘Instructions for Use’ leaflet, which comes with the test kit. There is also a useful video to show you how to take the test here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9XR8RZxKNo&list=PLvaBZskxS7tzQYlVg7lwH5uxAD9UrSzGJ&index=2
Can someone else in my household use a test kit sent home from college?
No, however whole families and households with primary school, secondary school, and college-age children, including childcare and support bubbles, will be able to test themselves twice every week from home.
This testing can be accessed through the following channels:
- Get a rapid test at work, through workplace testing. Ask your employer for more information
- Attend a test site to get tested where you will be able to see how to take the test or pick up tests to do at home (you can find your nearest test site via the postcode checker www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site or check your local council website)
- Collect tests to do at home, find your nearest collection site COVID Test Finder (www.test-and-trace.nhs.uk)
If these options are not possible, there will be a supply of rapid tests for order online for people who need them the most. More information can be found on www.gov.uk/order-coronavirusrapid-lateral-flow-tests
There is more information available about testing for households and bubbles of students - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rapid-lateral-flow-testing-for-households-and-bubbles-of-school-pupils-and-staff
How will personal information and test results be shared?
Please read the information below on how personal information and test results are shared and the privacy notice.
When you take a Lateral Flow test, you need to report the result. This is so that your test result can be traced, which means that you need to share some information about yourself.
You need to tell the (Gov.uk) Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC):
- your name
- your test result
- the reference number on the test Kit
Under UK law, the College can collect and store test result data because it is in the ‘public interest’. This means that your data helps us to stop the spread of the virus, and to keep you in education. For example, we will tell you to self-isolate if you get a positive test result.
Schools and colleges will only share information with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) if the test kits used are found to be faulty. If this happens, DHSC will use our information to contact people who used the faulty tests, so that they can be tested again. This will ensure that testing is accurate and helps keep us all safe.
When you report test results online, you are sharing information with DHSC. They may share the information with your GP, local government, NHS, and Public Health England. This is so that they can offer your family health services and guidance if you need to self-isolate. They might also use your data anonymously (without your name or contact information) to research COVID-19, and improve our understanding of the virus.
For more information on how personal data is used for testing please see the detailed privacy notice https://www.uspcollege.ac.uk/about-us/policies/privacy-statement/
Frequently Asked Questions - Returning to Campus Monday 8 March
- Will my young person be tested on their first day back on campus?
It is the College’s intention that all students who consent to testing are tested on their first day back on campus. - How will my young person know when their test will be?
They will receive a separate communications from their curriculum area indicating the specific time for their testing slot and the base room they should initially go to. - How do they register before the test?
They will be issued with a registration card when they go to their base room on their designated day. They will need the following when completing the registration card.
- A device with internet/WiFi access
- Date of birth
- First line of address
- Postcode
- Mobile number
- Email address
- Student ID number (on Student ID Card)
- What happens after the test?
After the test they will receive an individual notification of their test result from NHS Test and Trace.- If their test result is negative they can go home and access their blended learning timetable from the following day.
- If their test result is positive then they will need to self-isolate for a period of 10 days in line with government guidance. They should access all lessons online throughout this period as long as they are well enough to do so.
- What if they are not returning to campus until later in the week?
If their planned return is not on Monday 8 March but later in the week (as indicated in the email) then they should access their lessons online until their return date as they have been doing during the lockdown. - My young person does not normally have on site lessons on the day they come in for testing. What do they do?
The day they have been asked to come on site is for testing only. There will be no on site or online lessons for any students in their curriculum area on this day. - Will they be on campus full time from now on?
For the period until the Easter holidays they will follow their previous blended learning timetable. For Academic (A-Level) students this means they will access 2/3 lessons on site and their remaining lesson online. For Vocational students this means that they will be on site for 3 days per week and then online for all remaining lessons. The College will review the plans for the rest of the academic year prior to the Easter break. - Do they still need to wear a face mask?
Unless medically exempt, students and staff will be required to wear a face mask in classrooms and in all other spaces when on campus in line with updated government guidance. If medically exempt from wearing a face mask students and staff need to purchase a face visor as an alternative. If any student refuses to wear a face mask or a face shield then learning will need to continue online from home. - Is the College still using curriculum area bubbles?
The College is still divided into specific curriculum area bubbles. This means that at lunch time or any other break time all students should use their specific designated area. The designated areas at both campuses are outlined below:
Palmer's Campus
Curriculum Area Designated Area A-Level - Year 1 Garden Room A-Level - Year 2 A-Level Centre Business Main Canteen Creative Arts Dance Studio Foundation Learning Lower F Block Health & Social Care and Early Years Upper F Block classrooms & open spaces Sport & Public Services Sport classrooms & outdoor spaces STEM Canteen Annex
Seevic Campus
Curriculum Area Designated Area A-Level - Year 1 The Hub A-Level - Year 2 Campus Coffee Business Lower Restaurant Creative Arts Room 339 Foundation Learning Room 209 A/B Health & Social Care and Early Years H&SC classrooms & outdoor spaces Sport & Public Services Sport classrooms & outdoor spaces STEM Upper Restaurant - If my young person is feeling unwell what should they do?
Should your young person unavoidably be absent from College, then they or their parent/guardian, or carer, should ring the College’s absence number by 8.30am on each day of their absence. For the Seevic Campus please contact 01268 882629 and for the Palmer’s Campus please contact 01375 898608. - If your young person is shielding until Wednesday 31 March. What should they do?
All lessons will be live streamed so if they decide to not attend on site learning for this reason they can continue to access lessons from home for the next 3 weeks. - A member of your household is shielding until Wednesday 31 March. What should your young person do?
Under current government guidance there is no need for them to shield if a member of your household is shielding. Others living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to follow the guidance, but should continue to stringently follow the guidance on social distancing, face coverings and hand hygiene. - What is an LFT?
A lateral flow test is a test that provides a result within 20-30minutes. Administering the test is similar to the PCR tests. Although it is recommended that students swab their throat and nose, they are able to choose one or the other. - Why should they be tested?
Testing will allow us to identify asymptomatic cases quickly and allow us to identify close contacts which is aimed to reduce the spread of the virus and in turn be able to limit the closing of bubbles. - What if they have previously had COVID-19, can they still be tested?
If your young person has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days then they are not required to take a test. - How will they receive the home test kits after the three LFTs in College?
From week commencing 15 March they will be given their home testing kits to take home. They should test twice a week at home.
General FAQs
I've been sent home from College to self-isolate:
What does self-isolation mean?
Self-isolation means you should stay indoors away from all external contact and minimise any contact within your household for 14 consecutive days. For more information on what to do if you are self-isolating, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/
Do others in my household need to self-isolate?
No, not unless you are displaying any of the three main symptoms: a new, continuous cough; a high temperature; or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste.
Do I need to get a test?
No, not unless they develop any of the three main symptoms: a new, continuous cough; a high temperature; or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste.
Can I go to work?
No, you must stay indoors and follow the Government guidance for 14 days.
Will my lessons continue?
Yes. Your lessons will move to a virtual learning approach, with a combination of live online lessons and work set via the Virtual Learning Environment. Your teacher will provide you with details on how to access this and the expectations of you whilst you are self-isolating.
What do I do if I develop symptoms?
Arrange to have a test and let the College know immediately.
Will the registers be updated?
If the College has asked you to self-isolate, this will automatically be marked as an authorised absence on the register.
Can you tell me who has tested positive Covid-19?
No, this is confidential information and we will not be providing any names in line with our duty to protect the privacy of those concerned.
Why has my whole bubble not been sent home?
As our register system is so accurate, we have identified the staff and students who are most likely to have been in close contact with the affected person since they became symptomatic. All of these people have been asked to go home to self-isolate.
What is close contact?
This is the criteria we have been advised to use when identifying those who may have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid-19:
- Any face to face contact over 1 minute within 1 metre
- 15 minutes or more spent within 2 metres
- Any skin to skin contact
- Being within 1 metre of coughing
I've been advised by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate:
Will my lessons continue?
Yes. Your lessons will move to a virtual learning approach, with a combination of live online lessons and work set via the Virtual Learning Environment. Your teacher will provide you with details on how to access this and the expectations of you whilst you are self-isolating.
What do I do if I develop symptoms?
Arrange to have a test and let the College know immediately.
Will the registers be updated?
This will be marked as an authorised absence on the register, but you will need to call our absence line to notify us:
- Seevic Campus – 01268 882 629
- Palmer’s Campus – 01375 898 608
I haven't been advised to self-isolate:
Somebody in my household is shielding. If somebody at College has tested positive for Covid-19 can I undertake online learning?
The Government has advised that schools and colleges should take a balanced approach in minimising disruption to learning whilst reducing the risk of transmission. As our register system is so accurate, we have identified the staff and students who are most likely to have been in close contact with the affected person since they became symptomatic. If we haven't asked you to self-isolate, it is because you haven't been identified as having been in close contact with anybody who has tested positive.