Covid-19 School Infection Survey

Outwood Academy Normanby is taking part in a study (SIS) to monitor infection and transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) in a sample of primary and secondary schools.

We want to find out how many school pupils and staff have COVID-19 infection, how many have already developed antibodies against the virus and how this changes over the course of the year. The information we collect will help inform policies to protect school pupils and staff.

The study is being conducted by Public Health England in partnership with the Office for National Statistics, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, working with the Department for Education and is funded by the Department for Health and Social Care. IQVIA, a healthcare company, is also supporting the study.

What does the study involve?

If you would like to take part, we would like you to complete a consent form and a short questionnaire about you and other household members. (See the next page for details on how to do this). Once this is completed, you will be enrolled into the study. The study workers will visit your school once every half term of the current academic year to collect a nasal swab and an oral fluid (saliva) sample to test for the virus and antibodies against the virus.The study is voluntary, you do not have to take part and you can withdraw from any round of testing without giving a reason.

How can I take part?
Please see the attached Letter to students to find out how to register for the survey. Please be aware that students in Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 can register for the survey. Students in Year 11 are not able to take part.

The School Infection Survey testing team will next visit Outwood academy Normanby on Wednesday 24 March 2021.

Participants that test positive for the virus following the nasal swab will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace as soon as possible. All test results will be provided on the Schools Infection Survey (SIS) Portal. You will be notified by email as soon as the results are available.

If you have any questions, please contact the IQVIA helpline on 0800 917 9679 or email qvia.schoolinfectionsurvey@nhs.net

Thank you for contributing to this important study. Your help will inform policies to manage risks of transmission in schools and identify ways to protect children and staff.