Jersey student: 'I don't want to wipe out my vulnerable family'

A teenager in Jersey has spoken of her fear that catching Covid-19 at school could lead to her infecting her vulnerable family and risking their lives. It is one extreme example of the anxiety being triggered, for some, by the reopening of the island's schools. Emily Bridge's parents and grandmother, who also lives in the family home, are all vulnerable.

She is speaking out because she, and other students in a number of schools, have witnessed examples of pupils not heeding the hygiene, mask and distancing guidance. Emily says it has triggered her anxiety.

There have been a small number of Covid cases since schools reopened. Around 10% of secondary pupils are current at home because they are isolating or because their parents do not think school is safe. Emily's mother Debbie just wishes the rules allowed her daughter to stay home.

Part of the government's plan to keep schools safe is the introduction of regular Covid-19 testing for students. It will be done using fast-turnaround lateral flow tests, which have a lower level of accuracy. One senior teacher has described that as "second rate". Sarah Milman from Les Quennevais School told ITV News teachers received just a few minutes training, saying "It's actually a really complicated and easy to muck up process."

Sarah says: "You have this phial of liquid and you have to put it in a tiny little pipette and you have to put exactly six drops in. We're asking 15 and 16-year-olds, with all the will in the world, that could destroy a test."

The government told ITV News that it is working with unions and individual schools to implement safety measures to protect students and staff.

Jersey's Acting Minister for Education is encouraging students, parents and carers, who have concerns, to speak with their Headteacher as a first port of call.