South Wiltshire schools appeal for Covid-19 testing help
Local secondaries are calling for the community to support mass testing
The Government announced before Christmas that they wanted to roll out mass asymptomatic testing for secondary school students from the start of the new term.
Community testing is also being prioritised for areas in Tier 3 and upwards, like Wiltshire.
The return for pupils is being delayed into January to allow more time to set up the system.
Some of our local schools have put out a call to the community to help them roll-out testing for staff and students.
Wyvern St Edmunds, Sarum Academy and the Trafalgar School at Downton have all posted appeals for volunteers on their social media.
The schools say no previous experience is necessary, and the volunteers wouldn't be alone with students at any point, for safeguarding reasons.
They're looking to build up a bank of people in each school's community that can help with the testing.
The more people they have available, the less time each person will need to dedicate to help out as well.
On the Wyvern St Edmunds Facebook page, they said:
"In preparation for the roll out of coronavirus testing for Secondary School students and staff we would really appreciate some help from the WSE community.
"We would like to build up a group of volunteers who would be willing to help us with the process of testing our student/staff body. Testing will be for asymptomatic individuals only (those who are not displaying symptoms) to help ensure we keep our school as safe as possible.
"All training will be provided, no prior expertise/knowledge is required (although would be welcomed). We are only asking for expressions of interest at this time. Everyone at WSE would like to thank you all for your continued support."
If you'd like to offer your help to the project, you can contact Rachel Ure at Wyvern St Edmunds on rure@wyvernsteds.org; Jean Campbell at Sarum Academy on Jean.campbell@sarumacademy.org; or Charley Baines at Trafalgar on headspa@trafalgar.wilts.sch.uk