PUPILS at Middlewich High School are being tested for Covid ahead of their return to the classroom next week.

A meticulously planned operation has been organised to bring in every year group by Friday.

The tests began today and will continue until March 12 when all students who have consented will have had access to three lateral flow tests.

Year 11 students will have been tested twice.

Students will then be given home tests which will be carried out regularly from March 15.

Headteacher Heidi Thurland said: "This has been a highly complex logistical undertaking the administration of the tests has been considerable.

"I am incredibly proud that over 30 staff were willing to be trained and redeployed into roles that we could never have anticipated asking staff to deliver.

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More than 30 staff at Middlewich High School volunteered to be trained to test pupils for Covid

More than 30 staff at Middlewich High School volunteered to be trained to test pupils for Covid

More than 30 staff at Middlewich High School volunteered to be trained to test pupils for Covid

"Asymptomatic testing will help us identify community cases and adds a layer of protection to staff and students returning to school.

"This alongside the extensive safety measures already in place at school give us real confidence in being able to open safely. Most importantly we want to get back to our core purpose of delivering excellent face to face education as quickly as possible.

"Our students have been amazing whilst working from home and we know when they return they will go from strength to strength."