Mass Covid-19 testing programme: Appeal for volunteers at Midhurst Rother College

The government announced yesterday (Thursday, December 17) that all secondary schools and colleges in England will be able to test more of their staff and students in a round of free coronavirus testing from the first week of January.

In a post on social media today, Midhurst Rother College said it is asking for volunteers to 'assist with the task of testing the students'.

A college spokesperson told the Observer said that there wasn't enough staff members to test the 1,200 students.

They added: "We need to get our systems in place but, at the moment, we just asking anyone for expressions of interest from people within the community.

"We need a team of volunteers, extra people for us to call upon.

"We will contact them when we return after Christmas.

"It will be planned through the holidays so we are ready for January."

The college said the priority is to keep students at school and ensure that they and staff are healthy.

"It's been an interesting time," the spokesperson added. "It's been very different from any other term we've ever experienced.

"We've made it to the end of the year and the students and staff are certainly looking forward to a bit of downtime over Christmas."

To express your interest in volunteering for the testing programme, please fill out this form: http://bit.ly/AssistMRCThe government said the programme will 'help to deliver the national priority', to keep education open for all and help fight the spread of the virus, 'while keeping schools and colleges safe'.

A spokesperson added: "Building on the incredible work schools and colleges have done to be Covid-secure, the round of testing will help to reassure students, parents and teachers about returning to school and college.

"The round of testing will also help to tackle the one in three who have the virus but do not have symptoms, so could be spreading the disease unknowingly, and minimise disruption during the spring term by helping identify positive cases when pupils return to face-to-face education following the Christmas break."

Have you read?: What tier is Midhurst and Petworth in? Here’s all you need to know after latest review

'Erratic' fly-tipping has been a problem in Petworth for 'at least five years'

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.