NAHT Cymru, the Union for Headteachers in Wales, has criticised the Coronavirus Test and Trace system, after a school worker in Bangor could only be offered a Covid-19 test in Inverness, Scotland.
That would have meant a 900 mile round trip taking more than 14 hours.
Two staff members from the canteen at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, have tested positive for Coronavirus. The canteen facility was closed at the school on Monday, 7 September, for two weeks. All staff in the canteen have been told to self isolate and have a Covid-19 test.
Laura Doel, Director of NAHT Cymru, said: “We are receiving an alarming number of reports that school staff are struggling to get test appointments or home testing kits for coronavirus.
“Some school staff have been offered test appointments over a hundred miles away, as far apart as Cardiff and London in the south and one staggering case of someone in Bangor being offered an appointment in Inverness.
“Return to school plans are predicated on having certain levels of staff to maintain all safety measures. It is simply unacceptable that staff who are displaying symptoms have to remain off work for days in some cases waiting to be tested and have the results. This is putting a considerable strain on the school workforce and it is only a matter of time before classes or even whole schools have to close due to staffing issues.
“Today I have written to Education Minister Kirsty Williams and Health Minister Vaughan Gething, urging them to make school staff a priority group for testing.
“Schools are playing their part in return plans but they cannot do it alone; tests need to be available so those who are fit can return to work and those who are not can isolate, and the track and trace process be initiated.”
Ysgol Friars Update
A further update today, 12 September, from Ysgol Friars Deputy Headteacher Mr D Healy said: “All the test results have now been received. In addition to the original case we had 10 negative test results, one positive.
“Track and trace say that both positives were contracted outside school. On Monday we will seek clarification on when the kitchen can reopen and let you know.”
