Guidance

Mass asymptomatic testing: schools and colleges

Find out about implementing testing in schools and colleges.

From:
Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care
Published
18 December 2020
Last updated
29 January 2021 — See all updates

This guidance was withdrawn on

This guidance has now been updated and included as part of specific guidance for schools and guidance for FE colleges and providers.

Applies to England

These resources have been developed by NHS Test and Trace and are for:

  • local authority-maintained schools - including mainstream, special and pupil referral units (PRUs)
  • academies - including special academies and alternative provision free schools
  • middle schools
  • non-maintained special schools
  • independent schools - including independent special schools and independent alternative provision
  • 16 to 19 academies
  • hospital schools

Report test kit and delivery issues

Schools and colleges can report problems relating to test kits and delivery issues using the rapid testing contact form.

You’ll need to enter your school’s unique reference number (URN) to use this form.

Specialist settings and pupils or students with SEND

Specialist settings will contact parents and students with further information on how testing will be carried out and how to give consent.

There’s separate guidance on asymptomatic testing in specialist settings.

Get daily updates and access to further testing guidance and materials

A link has been shared with schools and colleges to access guidance and support materials. If you do not think you have access to this document sharing platform please contact the helpline.

DfE incident support

Updates to this page

Published 18 December 2020
Last updated 29 January 2021 + show all updates

  1. Added updated information about reporting delivery and test issues using the form, and contacting the helpline for the link which has been shared with schools and colleges to access guidance and support materials.

  2. Page updated to reflect latest information.

  3. Removed consent form.

  4. Added an updated version of the 'Testing handbook' which was previously published on another webpage.

  5. First published.

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