Page 3 | Masks all day in school

ihearttc · 2020-08-31T11:25:09+00:00

Furious just about sums up how I feel at the moment. Just had an email from DS1’s school (he is going into Y11) saying they will be required to wear masks all day long in school from the minute they get inside the school gates to when they leave. They are allowed to take them off to eat lunch but will need to be put back on immediately. Before I fire off an email to the school, just wondered how I stand legally with refusing to give permission for him to wear one all day long? It’s completely against the DofE guidance which states corridors and transitions only. We live rurally and are in a very very low Covid area for what’s its worth, no where near areas on local lockdown.

justaweeone · 31/08/2020 18:00

OP
Where in the country are you? I had an email today re wearing them also in class. I was surprised as I work in a school as well and at present its only students in our school that have to wear them on school transport.

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 17:56

I don’t think that the possibility of changing guidance means it should not be adhered to.

State schools are hot on following this stuff even if individuals think otherwise.

You could get all sorts of combinations of what’s in and out if not.

Bridecilla · 31/08/2020 17:52

[quote ihearttc]@MarshaBradyo

Thank you! I’m honestly not that sort of person who complains and I’m certainly not a “keyboard warrior” trying to make HT’s lives difficult. I’m simply trying to find out why they are doing something so different to the majority of schools in the U.K. when the actual guidance says otherwise.[/quote]
Because it's very likely that the guidance will change at any given time.

A few weeks ago we didn't have to wear masks in shops and now we do.

Remember the staff will be trying to deal with 30 teenagers from the front of a room.

Much harder to cajole Johnny on row 6 that he needs to put his mask on when he's whining "but Miss I didn't have to yesterday and my mam says I don't have to " than to expect it across the school from day 1.

My guess is also that the Head knows that 1 or more of the staff is very vulnerable but doesn't want to say 'you only have to wear a mask in Miss X and Mr Y classes'

Original poster

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 17:52

@Callingallskeletons

He is nearly 16. Of course I don’t object to him wearing one when he is out shopping with friends. But he isn’t wearing one for 6 hours at a time then and can take it off going out of shops etc. Plus going shopping isn’t the same as trying to concentrate in a classroom. I also wouldn’t object if the school was actually following government guidance but they are not. Not a precious snowflake parent at all but I don’t think it’s necessary to wear a mask for 6 hours a day when the risk is minimal. I wouldn’t want to do that so why would I expect my child to do it?

OP posts:

Callingallskeletons · 31/08/2020 17:47

YABU, he’s what 15/16? Not 5 - he’ll be just fine wearing a mask

Would you object to him wearing a mask when out shopping with friends? If it were me I would just be thankful that your sons school are actually following the guidance

Bollss · 31/08/2020 17:46

@Mistressiggi

...and there goes another one

Mistressiggi · 31/08/2020 17:43

...and there goes another one

Bollss · 31/08/2020 17:31

@Mistressiggi

Trust the hyperbole was not your comment on your own dc's school, it was this: Unfortunately it's the same at most secondaries as they'll all aiming to be "the best" which unfortunately doesn't include giving a shit about the students, only how they appear to everyone else Having knowledge of "most" secondaries must mean you're very busy, or exaggerating.

Oh ffs whatever. All secondaries are great all teachers are heroes

Mistressiggi · 31/08/2020 17:28

Trust the hyperbole was not your comment on your own dc's school, it was this:
Unfortunately it's the same at most secondaries as they'll all aiming to be "the best" which unfortunately doesn't include giving a shit about the students, only how they appear to everyone else
Having knowledge of "most" secondaries must mean you're very busy, or exaggerating.

Bollss · 31/08/2020 17:25

That's great @itsgettingweird - unfortunately the schools round here though ofsted rated good or outstanding are actually shite, uncaring places. It's disingenuous to say a teenager can walk into any secondary and have a grown up conversation about masks for instance, when I'd dare to say, most, probably cannot.

itsgettingweird · 31/08/2020 17:22

@TrustTheGeneGenie

Ah yes *@FrippEnos* the problem must be the child

Imo the school is utter shite, but as it's my dss it's unfortunately not my choice.

Unfortunately it's the same at most secondaries as they'll all aiming to be "the best" which unfortunately doesn't include giving a shit about the students, only how they appear to everyone else. Probably much like this HT.

And you've lost me again!

I agree some schools are autocratic.

Best school around here and I managed to get my ds moved to it - respects its students.

Listens to them. Runs an effective school council.
Changes policy by listening go to kids. Has inform but isn't so strict they control everything but compliance is high because if this.

The best secondaries - and there loads and loads - will listen.

Bollss · 31/08/2020 17:21

@Mistressiggi

Trust your hyperbole just weakens your attempt at making a point I'm afraid.

Unless you've attended this school you e absolutely no idea whether it's hyperbole have you?

Bollss · 31/08/2020 17:21

did you miss that or just ignore it?

Considering I said the school was utter shite I'd say it's fairly obvious I read it.

cologne4711 · 31/08/2020 16:55

Schools have been providing teaching remotely for the gcse years haven't they

No, they definitely haven't. Some have, some have set work, some have done bee-all. So for some kids, they've been out of education for six months. And all of them have had no face to face interaction for six months (except for the odd lesson in July if they were very lucky - my son had one face to face tutor session lasting about 20 minutes).

I don't think it's reasonable to expect mask wearing in class. In communal areas and on public transport yes. And it's also really late notice, it's not that easy to get them quickly (and they are expensive). As it is, my son will need 3 a day, if you need to wear one all day you are looking at 4 a day (if you use public transport too, if you don't I suppose two a day will do).

Over 12's have to wear masks at all times in shops, museums etc when they are moving Yes but they won't be in those places for six hours.

FrippEnos · 31/08/2020 16:29

@TrustTheGeneGenie

Ah yes *@FrippEnos* the problem must be the child

Imo the school is utter shite, but as it's my dss it's unfortunately not my choice.

Unfortunately it's the same at most secondaries as they'll all aiming to be "the best" which unfortunately doesn't include giving a shit about the students, only how they appear to everyone else. Probably much like this HT.

I didn't say that it was a problem with the child at all in fact I said

then it is a problem with your child's school.

did you miss that or just ignore it?

Mistressiggi · 31/08/2020 16:26

Trust your hyperbole just weakens your attempt at making a point I'm afraid.

Kidneybingo · 31/08/2020 16:25

Or pupils. Sometimes we have incredibly vulnerable children and the last thing we'd want would be to exclude them.

FlySheMust · 31/08/2020 16:23

I wonder if they have teachers who are vulnerable and it's to protect them.

It would seem reasonable in that case.

Bollss · 31/08/2020 16:18

Ah yes @FrippEnos the problem must be the child

Imo the school is utter shite, but as it's my dss it's unfortunately not my choice.

Unfortunately it's the same at most secondaries as they'll all aiming to be "the best" which unfortunately doesn't include giving a shit about the students, only how they appear to everyone else. Probably much like this HT.

FrippEnos · 31/08/2020 16:10

@TrustTheGeneGenie

Maybe its because they chose the wrong time and place to have the discussion

No let's not make excuses. Secondary schools are not places for discussions. Especially in academy's. It's shut up, put up, keep our attendance and grades up or fuck off.

No excuses about it.

If a child tries to disrupt lessons by talking about a different subject it is wrong.

There is a time and a place.

If your child's school has decided that they don't want to talk about it at all then it is a problem with your child's school.

Not every secondary school

Original poster

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 16:07

@MarshaBradyo

Thank you! I’m honestly not that sort of person who complains and I’m certainly not a “keyboard warrior” trying to make HT’s lives difficult. I’m simply trying to find out why they are doing something so different to the majority of schools in the U.K. when the actual guidance says otherwise.

OP posts:

itsgettingweird · 31/08/2020 16:05

[quote ihearttc]@Kidneybingo

But surely the same could be said for every other school in the U.K.?[/quote]
It is. And those schools will equally have varying rules re masks.

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 16:03

I don’t think the op sounds like that re pp. The guidance is there, and is usually followed.

Mistressiggi · 31/08/2020 16:02

Thanks @lakesidesummer that's really interesting

Sunshineandsparkle · 31/08/2020 15:58

Well done you.... pain in the arse keyboard warrior parent strikes again. The Headteacher obviously feels this is what’s best for their school and as you clearly state, there is no reason for him not to wear one aside him fiddling with it. As he’s 15/16, maybe tell him to not do that and to not touch his face.