STAFF at a Worcester school have begun to receive a weekly coronavirus tests as the school ramps up its covid-safety procedures.

The King’s School in Worcester has instituted regular testing for staff and the children of key workers, who are all continuing to come into school during the new lockdown.

Headmaster Gareth Doodes said the testing regime was progressing well. He said: “After the various announcements from the government over the Christmas period, the King’s leadership team met during the last week of December and over New Year, setting up a Covid Testing Taskforce that is headed by Will Bird, a member of staff whose life before working in schools consisted of logistics and planning.

“Will’s efforts were phenomenal. On Monday, January 4, the testing kits were delivered to the school, testers were trained over the following two days, and the testing centre was launched on Thursday, January 7.

“By the end of school on Friday every key worker child had been tested, as had every member of staff who was working in school.

“We will be testing each member of staff and key worker child each week, rolling it out to other year groups as and when they return to King’s.

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“I’ve personally been campaigning for the Covid vaccine to be rolled-out as a priority to those who work in schools.

“Combining this with testing, we can get pupils back into schools, relieve pressure on parents, and ensure that we’re addressing the mental and physical health of children ensuring that they don’t become the second victims of this pandemic.”

Pupils had been due to return to schools across the country on January 4, but this was changed after the country went into a new national lockdown.

According to the government’s guidelines for schools, during the period of national lockdown, schools, alternative provision (AP), special schools, colleges and wraparound childcare and other out-of-school activities for children should allow only vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers to attend.

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All other pupils and students should not attend and should learn remotely until February half term.

Early years provision should continue to remain open and should continue to allow all children to attend full time or their usual timetable hours. This includes early years registered nurseries and childminders, maintained nursery schools, as well as nursery classes in schools and other pre-reception provision on school sites.