29^th August 2020  

Face Coverings:

As you have read in the news, the wearing of face coverings has now been introduced for schools. The Department for Education’s website states “face coverings should be worn in secondary schools when moving around the school, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain. It will not be necessary to wear face coverings in the classroom, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and where they can inhibit learning.” Therefore, we will require all students and staff to wear a face covering when they return in September, when in the school corridors, communal areas, on a school bus or other forms of public transport. The exception to this is during lessons and tutor time in classrooms and when eating or drinking at break or lunchtimes in the canteen, main hall or lower playground. If students and staff are not eating or drinking within these communal areas then they must wear a face covering and follow social distancing. Students and staff who cannot put on or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or disability will also be exempt. This is in accordance with the latest advice from the World Health Organisation.

Please can I request that it is your responsibility to provide a face covering for your child in the interest of the health and safety of all students and staff.  

What constitutes a face covering? A face covering should:

·       cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably

·       fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face

·       be secured to the head with ties or ear loops

·       be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton

·       ideally include at least two layers of fabric (the World Health Organisation recommends three depending on the fabric used)

·       unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged

·       Face Coverings should be plain or with a simple pattern with no inappropriate designs.

This guidance has only just come out so please bear with us as we establish this in our school.

For more information, please follow the links below:

What is a face covering & how should it be worn and removed

How can I make a face covering