A CITY sixth form college has begun to test staff and students for coronavirus.

Worcester Sixth Form College Principal Ed Senior stepped forward for the first test as the college successfully introduced its programme of onsite testing.

Weekly testing of college staff started on Monday, January 11 and has now been extended to include the small number of students who are on site during the current lockdown.

Principal Ed Senior, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to respond positively to the Department of Education guidance to introduce testing.

“It has taken a lot of hard work from many of my colleagues, much of which was done during the Christmas holiday, but we think this is an important step in helping to protect our families, other members of the college and our wider community.

“We are now in an excellent position to test all our students as soon as the Government says it is safe for ‘face to face’ learning to resume.”

The head has been open with his strong desire to ensure students can receive face to face lessons as soon as it is safe to do so.

Mr Senior previously told the Worcester News: “If students don’t have face to face lessons their education suffers. Their mental and physical well-being also suffers and the impact of these negative effects is greatest for vulnerable learners."

He added: “At Worcester Sixth Form College we are committed to doing everything we can to keeping everyone as safe as possible.”

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, during the period of national lockdown, schools, alternative provision, 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.

All other pupils and students 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.

Is your school testing staff and pupils?

Email jemma.bufton@newsquest.co.uk with details.