Clinical testing trial pilot at Scarborough College a 'success'
A clinical trial at Scarborough College that stopped pupils having to isolate at home has been a success.
A clinical trial at Scarborough College that stopped pupils having to isolate at home has been a success.
It was among the first schools in the country to do the pilot from Easter until the end of May.
It meant close contacts of positive cases could remain at Scarborough College rather than an entire bubble being sent home.
Headmaster Guy Emmett said:
"The pilot scheme has been a great success and this was highlighted during the half term when one of our pupils did test positive. However, their friends started term on Monday with the daily testing routine and instead of being at hmoe and isolating for another week, as they had to do during half term, they could come into lessons and continue learning and continue their eduaction.
"There's been no issues or concerns raised by parents, pupils or colleagues. All children have been back in school, they've all been tested, they're all negative and they can carry on with learning and being in school and that's what we all want. Our schools need to be open and I 100% believe this is a safe way as well.
"As someone who's been tested regularly in school, this will be the future for our schools in the next few months. This is essential to keep our schools open because it's certainly where parents do feel frustrated and above all the children is when they have to learn from home for two weeks and forced into isolation.
"I believe it's been a great success here. Speaking to other schools who have been involved in this process, they feel that it's meant more children are in school, they feel it's safe and I would be very surprised if this isn't rolled out in September where they can do the daily testing if there's a case within school.
"It's just wonderful to have school back to normal and to start half term knowing that no children would be in isolation means the world to us all. A year ago, schools were closed and in the first term to be speaking to parents, and above all to the children, that their children wouldn't be in school for two weeks was heartbreaking."