Currently schools are not required to conduct mandatory testing for Covid-19 when students return to site. This is increasing the chance of harming not only other students and teachers but also family, friends or anyone who can be impacted. Alongside this, we are risking another national lockdown and further economic impacts through potential rises in positive cases.

Understandably students are entitled to an education, but they are also entitled to safety. When returning children back to education we must ensure that their safety is the main concern. Each student refusing testing risks the safety of every single student within that educational centre.

Students are currently scared for their own health upon returning which is likely to impact their performance within the upcoming months. It is vital for children in education to perform at their best. The coming months can shape a persons life and therefore we need to ensure that they have the best chances possible. This is even more important for those approaching exams, although exams have been cancelled students are being marked on the work they produce in class.

I propose that any student or member of staff, which attends an educational centre, and refuses tests for Covid-19 should not be allowed onto the site and should continue their learning/teacher online. This allows them to still continue with the education which they are entitled to without risking the safety of those students and teachers who are willing to test and ensure that others around them are as safe as possible. This also ensures that those who do not feel comfortable with Covid-19 testing have the adequate needs to continue their learning.