Fresh concerns have been expressed over perceived inequality between state and private schools when it comes to Covid-19 testing.
The Independent Schools Association (ISA) and the Independent Association of Prep Schools say that some of their members have privately purchased Covid-19 tests to use on pupils and staff who display symptoms, The Observer has reported.
In contrast, earlier this week the NASUWT teaching union warned that schools were struggling to cope with a lack of Covid-19 tests for pupils and staff – and that the situation was "increasingly out of control".
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Kate Green, Labour’s shadow secretary of state for education, warned that a private-state divide was creating “a postcode lottery of testing”.
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She said: “The government must urgently get a grip on the testing system, and put children and their education first, ensuring that nobody is shut out of school because of this government’s incompetence.”
Each school was given 10 home-testing kits to use in “exceptional circumstances" at the start of the term. From 16 September, schools have been able to order more kits, although the precise numbers of available tests are unclear.
Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, chief executive of the ISA, said private schools are simply doing what is necessary to stay open and function normally.
He said: “I think headteachers are just keen to get hold of tests in whatever way they can and get results back as quickly as possible. It’s a case of practicality. Independent schools want to do whatever works.”
Eton College tested all staff and students in September, and is offering private testing. Benenden School in Kent has reportedly purchased a Covid-19 testing machine for £35,000.
Jules White, a headteacher and founder of the school-funding campaign WorthLess?, said that the stark inequalities inherent in the education system are being highlighted by the pandemic yet again.
“While fee-paying schools enjoy the luxury of private testing to keep their staff and students safe and their schools functioning effectively, the rest of us are being let down by a wholly inadequate test-trace system that is depriving children of the best opportunity to catch up on lost learning and ensuring that teachers and support staff up and down the country are put under yet more pressure,” he said,
