Students must undertake home testing. Home testing kits can be collected from most Receptions across college. The testing kit will be linked to you so do not swap your kit with anyone else.
How to test
The kit will include instructions and you can also watch a video. The video guides you on how to conduct a test at home: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-self-test-help or search ‘How to do a Covid-19 self test’ on youtube.
** IMPORTANT – There are different types of home test kit available – please make sure you follow the instructions for the type of test you have. **
Some tests will require a throat and one nasal swab, and some tests will require two nasal swabs only.
This is the video instructions for the test which requires a throat and nasal swab:
When to test
You should take a test twice-a-week, every 3 to 5 days.
Results
Once you have completed your home test and got your result you must provide your results to the College AND to the NHS.
If your result is positive please do not come to College, and follow Government guidelines.
Your tutors will be checking that you have registered a result so it’s really important to remember to do it.
Our testing centre ID code is: BIVH
Update for parents on twice weekly COVID-19 testing at home for students
All students should be testing twice weekly at home with a lateral flow test.
Up to 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms and could be spreading it without knowing. Getting into a regular habit of testing twice a week will help stop the virus spreading, keeping your family and friends safer.
Students can collect home test kits from most Receptions across college. Please make sure your child tests themselves twice a week, 3 to 5 days apart, in the morning before College if possible and, if not, the evening before.
It is really important that your child provides their test results to both the College and the NHS. Please see the ‘Results’ section above for full details.
This does not replace testing for those with symptoms. If your child has symptoms they must self-isolate immediately, book a PCR test and follow national guidelines.
Testing for parents, households and bubbles
Regular rapid testing is now available for parents, their households and support or childcare bubbles, please see below for details of how to access tests. The government is encouraging all families to participate in twice weekly testing to help stop the spread.
Parents and other adults in the household can access tests by:
- Ordering tests online www.gov.uk/order-school-household-tests
- Getting an assisted test at work, if it is available.
- Attending a rapid lateral flow 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.
Please note, home testing kits given to students are linked to them so should not be used by anyone else.
Find out more on school and college household testing.
Last updated: 24th September 2021