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Ivybridge Community College has set the standard with regard to on-site lateral Flow Tests for
its staff and students. It has even been recognised at government level, being mentioned in the
DfE daily email (Wednesday, 20 January 2021) informing educational establishments on the
government's response to COVID-19.

College News 1

Supporting lateral Flow Testing

The College was delighted to welcome Sir gary Streeter MP, on Thursday, 21 January, to
visit the lateral Flow Testing Facility which is now operational. Together with Rob haring,
Chief executive officer of Westcountry Schools Trust, and Michael Saltern, Chair of
governors, they met Year 7 students, oliver, Charlotte and harriet hastings, and lateral
Flow Testing Facility College staff, as they were shown the processes involved. The three
students were then among the first on site at the College to have their lateral Flow Tests,
with the whole process being explained to the guests by Ray hennessy, Deputy
Principal.
Sir gary also met with Staff Sargeant Campbell and Private Rai of the local Response
Team from 1st Regiment Royal horse Artillery, who had also previously attended the pilot
testing day and been instrumental in advising on process and organisation.
The pilot testing day was used as an opportunity for both parties to discuss ideas and to refine its operation.
They also helped ensure that the centre was fit for purpose in relation to the size and population of the College
of approximately 2500 students and 300 staff. More importantly, their knowledge and experience of other
schools’ systems and their advice and guidance to our Team leader was invaluable.
Under the watchful eye of the College’s Covid Adviser, Jill Chapman, the pilot phase was a great success and
the staff involved commented how smoothly the process went. It was a successful day and we thank Staff
Sargeant Campbell and his team for their visit. Staff Sargeant Campbell confirmed this was the best site he
had seen, having visited many others previously, and he is keen to use the College as a showcase moving
forward.
Staff Sargeant Campbell said,“The College has set the standard for the area.
The staff have been trained to an excellent standard by the College team
and they have all the procedures in place. They should be very proud of
what they have achieved and we wish them all the best”.
Rachel hutchinson thanked Sir gary for visiting and taking the time to support all
the hard work that the College is doing. “To receive such incredible support from
the Army and our Covid Advisor has been instrumental in ensuring that the Test
Facility is ready. To see the external validation of what we are undertaking to
ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff and students is really good and has
been recognised at government level by the Dfe”.
To date (19.03.21) the College has completed 8,500 lateral Flow Tests across the
staff and student body, with no ‘positive’ results reported. As we move to
Self-Testing home Kits the lateral Flow Test Facility will be reduced to two mornings
a week, to continue to support and provide advice.