March 11th 2021
Moulsford’s test centre
As part of the return to school, the boys in Years 7 and 8 were required to take Lateral Flow Device Covid tests. The whole operation at Moulsford has been run internally by the School Matrons and we thought that parents might be interested to learn more about the process.
There are six members of staff involved in testing the boys, all of whom have the relevant certificates. Our Junior Teaching Assistant (JTA) Mr Corbett has been amazing in co-ordinating the operation and prepares the registration cards, signage and checking testing supplies, often in his own time. Both Matrons – Mrs Gipson and Mrs Jones - take the swab after chatting to the boys to check they are feeling well and offering them reassurance. A few boys can’t tolerate the throat swab, for these boys we are just swabbing each nostril.
Once we have made the boys as comfortable as possible and they have coughed, blown their noses and used hand sanitizer, the swabbing begins! We have introduced mirrors as it is hard for the boys to keep their tongues down and it is tricky to explain how and where we need to swab at the back of the throat, and afterwards in each nostril. The swab is then placed in a tube of solution for 10 seconds, Matron then passes to the tester (Our JTAs Mr Corbett, Mr Aplin and Mr Skinner) who then put 2 drops onto the slide, check the control line appears and start timing. We also have an administrator – Miss Reynolds - who ensures the right card is given to the tester.
We have labelled trays with timers where the slides with the samples on are placed, each tray holds 4 tests. Each slide is tested for 30 minutes and the results are then logged with the Department for Education by Mr Corbett.
We have all been impressed with the boys and the way they have coped with this from lining up sensibly, to the actual tests themselves. There has even been some giggling from the nose swabs!
On a personal note it has gone much better than I thought and I believe it is as relaxing an environment as we could possible make it. Clearly we would all much rather not be having to undertake these regular tests on the boys (and staff), but we are lucky to have such a beautiful venue and I think the river helps keep the boys calm.
Mrs Gipson, School Matron
