A DURSLEY headteacher has praised volunteers operating the mass Covid testing centre in his school, which he said is ‘like a military operation’.

David Alexander, head of Rednock School, said: “It has been astonishing to see the community pull together to help us.”

Rednock’s Covid testing centre has been providing tests for all staff, key workers’ children and vulnerable students since the school reopened on January 6.

Although schools are closed to the majority of students, whilst providing remote learning, they have remained open for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers.

Last month, education leaders expressed concerns that the Government had provided little notice about running mass testing in schools, with detailed guidance on how to carry out the tests, as well as parental consent forms, only made available on the last day of the school term before Christmas.

However, Mr Alexander said that although the directive had come at short notice, staff and volunteers had all pulled together to make it work.

“We have managed to create a successful process for mass testing,” he said.

“The two inset days at the start of term were absolutely crucial in allowing us to organise a coherent system and to test all staff on Tuesday, January 5. It was remarkable achievement.

“We have staff who have temporarily stepped out of their roles to volunteer to carry out the process, as well as volunteers.

“It has been astonishing to see the community pull together to help.”

Rapid mass testing kits being used - known as lateral flow tests - are quick to use and don’t need lengthy lab work or time to give a result.

Mr Alexander added: “The mass testing is so important and therefore there are a lot of cross checking points to ensure that everyone is tested, that the correct swabs are analysed, that we connect up to the NHS Track and Trace, that we report everything to the health authorities, that the staff and students are reassured and able to give samples accurately.

“It is like a military operation and is rigorous, otherwise we could not vouch for its accuracy.”

Rednock has approximately 130 key worker children and vulnerable students coming in every day, which is a high figure compared to other Gloucestershire schools.

“It is complex juggling teaching students face to face and teaching online, but we are managing it well at the moment,” said Mr Alexander.