Rochdale have rejected plans for mass Covid testing in secondary schools saying the government's proposal is unachievable. Ministers last week announced that from January, staff in all secondaries and colleges will be tested weekly in a bid to prevent the spread and keep pupils in education.
Any staff member or pupil who is deemed to be a close contact of a positive case will be tested daily for seven days, to prevent them having to isolate.
The announcement, which came in the final days of term, sparked outrage among heads and union leaders, who said the move demonstrated 'ministerial panic rather than rational and responsible action' and questioned how it would be possible to find and train 'an army of volunteers' to administer the tests..