THE King Alfred School has released updated information regarding the return to school and Covid-19 testing.

Students in Year 7 are to return to school this coming Monday, March 8, at 8.45am as per normal, with Year 8 students following on Tuesday, March 9, and Year 9 students on Wednesday, March 10 (both 8.45am).

Lateral flow testing will take place for all students for whom the school has received consent.

Students who test positive using a lateral flow test, or who show symptoms of Covid-19, will be sent home to isolate for 10 days - and they are expected to book a PCR test at a local test centre.

In order to get Years 10-12 back into lessons on March 8 without disruption, all students in those year groups are invited to come to school on Thursday, March 4 (Years 10/12) and Friday, March 5 (Years 11/12/13) to receive their first lateral flow test.

All students who have consented will receive a total of three tests in school over the next three weeks, after which they will be issued with home test kits.

The school is also "strongly advising" all students and staff to wear face coverings at all times, aside from when doing PE or when eating, and they will be encouraged to sanitise their hands regularly.

Students will remain in teaching blocks and year group bubbles, as before Christmas, and will continue to have split lunch times and remain in zones at social times, to ensure that they do not cross bubbles.

Full information, specific to each year group (including Year 10-12 testing times), from the school principal Nathan Jenkins can be found here.

Students or parents with further questions are encouraged to email info@tkasa.org.uk.