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Covid

Masks in school in area NOT in local lockdown - England

158 replies

Jamdemic · 31/08/2020 16:15

Anyone else's school in English gone straight in at the deep end for the start of term and made masks compulsory in communal areas like Scotland?
I think the advice is that this is a measure for areas in local lockdown, but my DC school is doing it anyway.
Going to be really really really hard and horrible for pupils new to the school to make any friends or recognise any teachers.

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cologne4711 · 31/08/2020 16:21

DS' college is doing it too (in Hampshire, case numbers are quite low here, but then wearing masks is a good way to keep them that way).

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Jamdemic · 31/08/2020 16:22

Our area has v low virus numbers, as does whole region.

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ihearttc · 31/08/2020 16:36

I’ve just posted in Secondary Education.
DS1 is about to go into Y11 and his school have made masks mandatory all day from the minute you walk into the school gate until when you leave. In all lessons and all transitions. They are allowed to take them off to eat but then must be put back on again.

We are in an area with very very low infection rates, it’s completely crazy!!

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ihearttc · 31/08/2020 16:37

Although I’m wondering if the same area...

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twinkletoesimnot · 31/08/2020 16:39

Also wondering if same area.

Ours says unless eating / outside or actually in a lesson then masks must be worn.

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ihearttc · 31/08/2020 16:41

@twinkletoesimnot

Ours have to be worn in all lessons. They are allowed them off to eat/drink.

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Jamdemic · 31/08/2020 16:42

It is devastating to be joining a new school under these conditions.

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ihearttc · 31/08/2020 16:42

@Jamdemic

Does your HT look remarkably like a Disney character by any chance?

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oxydrive73 · 31/08/2020 16:42

My kid's secondary school have said it is a personal choice. As it should be in my opinion.

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MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 16:43

I’m ok with corridors and communal areas. At HTs discretion.

I have an issue with them in class not advised to be used there.

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oxydrive73 · 31/08/2020 16:44

@ihearttc

I’ve just posted in Secondary Education.
DS1 is about to go into Y11 and his school have made masks mandatory all day from the minute you walk into the school gate until when you leave. In all lessons and all transitions. They are allowed to take them off to eat but then must be put back on again.

We are in an area with very very low infection rates, it’s completely crazy!!

I would be very unhappy with this, is way beyond what the recommendations are.
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ihearttc · 31/08/2020 16:44

Desperately trying not to out myself but maybe it’s the same school!!

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CarrieBlue · 31/08/2020 16:45

@MarshaBradyo

I’m ok with corridors and communal areas. At HTs discretion.

I have an issue with them in class not advised to be used there.

Why do you think the classroom is less risky than the corridor?
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ihearttc · 31/08/2020 16:45

I agree. It’s absolutely crazy and completely unnecessary.

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HermioneWeasley · 31/08/2020 16:46

Yes and it’s ridiculous. Apparently it’s because we are NEAR a high risk area, but it’s a totally over subscribed school so zero kids from the high risk area attend. There’s much more risk to kids of putting on an increasingly filthy mask with filthy hands (nobody will be reminding them to wash or sanitise them before putting on their mask)

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Faffandahalf · 31/08/2020 16:47

I think communal areas is standard regardless of local lockdown or not.
All the schools I know of in London are doing it (I teach at one, have colleagues in others, kids of friends in others)

So corridors/stairs/halls is a good idea for masks where social distancing is absolutely impossible.

Classroom is at discretion. For student and teacher.

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MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 16:47

Carrue the guidance is upfront about where discretion should be applied and I prefer the HT knows the guidance.

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BonnesVacances · 31/08/2020 16:47

@Jamdemic

It is devastating to be joining a new school under these conditions.

Hmmm! It's not great, but it's not devastating. Hmm
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MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 16:47

Carrie

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Jamdemic · 31/08/2020 16:48

I don't think it's the same school. But it is too much to start in a new school like this. Really upsetting. And worse to know that other school are not going down this route and their pupils will be enjoying a more normal experience.
The guidelines state this is for areas in local lockdown.

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MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 16:49

Here

‘Face coverings can have a negative impact on learning and teaching and so their use in the classroom should be avoided.’

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CarrieBlue · 31/08/2020 16:49

@MarshaBradyo so the HT knows the guidance and used their discretion but you aren’t happy with them using their discretion?

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MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 16:50

Op your school can do it for communal etc, it’s not just local lockdown areas. It’s up to the HT.

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MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 16:51

Carrie discretion is for communal areas not classroom have quoted guidance below.

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ThatDamnScientist · 31/08/2020 16:52

@MarshaBradyo

Here

‘Face coverings can have a negative impact on learning and teaching and so their use in the classroom should be avoided.’

Bubbles bursting and kids having to isolate can also have a negative impact on learning and teaching...just sayin'
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