As you may know, when schools return, COVID-19 lateral flow tests will be used to regularly test staff and pupils. These tests are already taking place for children of key workers and vulnerable pupils who are attending school during lockdown. Whether or not you choose to take the test is optional.

If you agree to have one you have to fill out a consent form, or if you are under sixteen your parents have to fill it out for you. If you agree to have the test you are expected to have a test once a week, and you will get your results in about thirty minutes. 

If you come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you can stay at school but you have to get tested every day. The lateral flow test is for A-symptomatic people, people who display no symptoms of the virus. If you do display symptoms of COVID-19 you should go for a PCR test.

The lateral flow test involves: rubbing the swab (provided in the test kit) against both tonsils, and then rubbing the swab on the inside of your nostril. The swab sample is then added to a fluid in the kit. The devices used to detect the virus, by detecting a protein produced by the virus. If present in the person's sample, a coloured line will appear on the device.

If you get a positive result you are told to go for a PCR test as the lateral flow tests do sometimes give false positives. Positive results are about 99% accurate and a negative result is about 58% accurate. When you first get tested you have to take two tests, three days apart.

The benefits of testing in schools are: it makes schools safer, it helps to avoid people having to isolate after being in close contact with someone who has the virus, and you get instant results.

The disadvantages are: pupils and staff may feel worried about taking the test as it's not that pleasant to have, all pupils and staff are going to be tested every week which may take time off lessons, and there may also be a large number of false negative results, meaning that some cases go undetected.