Dear Parent/Carer
Cumbria County Council and NHS Test and Trace are asking every person living and working in Cumbria between the ages of 12 and 30 to get a PCR test for COVID-19, even if they do not have symptoms.
This is because infections have risen sharply in Cumbria over recent weeks – particularly among younger age groups.
We have been asked to work with Cumbria County Council to manage the testing of school-aged children whilst they are at school.
A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test will be conducted. This is different to the tests that pupils have been using at home because the sample is sent to a laboratory to be processed. A PCR test is more sensitive and can also be analysed to show which variant of COVID-19 is present in positive samples.
Your child would NOT need to isolate whilst waiting for their test result.
Testing is likely to take place at school on Wednesday 30 June. The test involves your child taking a swab of their own throat and nose. The test will be supervised, and advice provided on how to do this. A trained adult can take the swab where required.
As your child is under the age of 16, we require your consent for them to take a PCR test at school. Please read the attached ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ sheet and privacy statement. If you have any questions, please contact the school office@workingtonacademy.org
Please complete and return the consent form by 3 pm on Tuesday 29 June 2021 if you are happy for your child to have a PCR test at school.
The consent form link for is https://forms.office.com/r/8EEBRSyGzS .You will need to add your mobile number in order to receive a copy of the result.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us to manage COVID-19 within school and our wider community.
Yours sincerely,
Mr D Bird
Heateacher
