Are children in school expected to wear masks in September?

[loheekim]

All my children (ages 4, 7 and 13) are used to wearing masks when out and about and they will when going back to school.
Most children I see are not wearing masks in shops etc.
Are you sending your child(ren) to school with a mask? In reception too?

No they wont. No social distancing either. Thank goodness.

Our details have just come out.

Children from age 3-8 are discouraged from wearing a mask and parents need to contact head of lower school if they disagree.

Children from age 9-13 are free to wear a mask if they wish but do not have to.

Staff are free to wear a visor and/or mask if they wish and parents should not challenge.

@manicinsomniac

Our details have just come out.

Children from age 3-8 are discouraged from wearing a mask and parents need to contact head of lower school if they disagree.

Children from age 9-13 are free to wear a mask if they wish but do not have to.

Staff are free to wear a visor and/or mask if they wish and parents should not challenge.

Whats the deal with over 13s?

@palacegirl77 I'm at a Prep school so we finish at age 13.

Are the new government guidelines out yet?

Oh sorry, thought they might be national guidelines!

No they won't. My 14 yr old wears one where it is mandatory. He makes his trips to shops as short as possible.
DD is 10, she chooses to wear one as she feels she might get in trouble in shops as she is tall for age. She is always with me and we try to make trips as quick as possible.
Neither of them would be comfortable wearing them all day. I wouldn't either, I dread them coming in mandatory for schools, I would really struggle (I am a TA).
That said I don't think they should be ruled against and that everyone staff and pupils should have a choice.

No as it stands they dont have to wear masks at any age. My school is saying kids can wear them if they want to (comprehensive secondary). I imagine some teachers will choose to wear one too and they wont be challenged.

Ah ok. Yes, sorry, I can see I didn't clarify I was talking about one school's details only.

I don't think the govt guidelines say anything new other than 'masks not necessary'. But I really don't see how they can stop people wearing them if they want to.

I haven't decided. My 6 year old won't wear one as per school request. I think I will probably buy a visor but don't really want to wear a mask to teach in (esp as I teach drama so facial expressions really important).

I have 2 teenagers too, both at performing arts school. They will get the train to school every day so have plenty of masks ready. I am leaving it to them and the school as to whether they wear them when they arrive.

I'm in Scotland so our schools are starting back this week. Kids don't need to wear masks but can if they want. Same for teachers

No guidance yet from our schools other than that the secondary has said masks on the bus for DD12. Waiting for a final update about the new term.

My DS10 won't wear one they make him feel sick - he has sensory issues and can't use or see hand gel either so I'm hoping the prep school stick with their hand washing only rule that they had when he went back to school in June.

They aren’t mandatory, my youngest child is exempt anyway. My eldest says he’ll put one in his bag and decide.

he has sensory issues and can't use or see hand gel either

Can't even see it?? Oh dear, that is likely to cause him a problem, I would say.

My school is having wall mounted hand gel stations installed in every classroom and common area over the next couple of weeks. Children will be asked (and supervised in the case of younger children) to use it when they come into school and every time they enter and leave each classroom. I'm sure it will be fine if there are children who have reasons for not being able to do this. But I think it's inevitable that they're going to see other children do it. Even if some schools are handwashing only I think most parents will send their children in with gel due to the lack of sinks and break times.

Do the school know about your son's problem? He might need an individual plan to avoid distress (leaving classroom early and coming in late, for example?)

they do know about it and are v understanding. This is one issue of several and they've been nothing but supportive.

We managed to get him in one restaurant on holiday by walking him past the hand gel dispenser and distracting him. He does appreciate that its everywhere but it make him feel sick. Ditto glue, he won't use a print stick either

I should add we take his own soapbox a squeeze bottle for handwashing too. He doesn't like smells either!!

his own soap in a squeezy bottle

Not only are they not required to wear them, they are required to remove them when they get to school.

From the government guidance:
Schools should also have a process for removing face coverings when pupils and staff who use them arrive at school and communicate it clearly to them

Ds won't be able to travel on the school bus without one and they have requested a fresh one for the morning & afternoon journey.
Dread to think how many he'll lose!!

He doesn't have to wear one at school though.

I'm not planning to send my kids in masks but I think they should be allowed to wear one if they want to.

As far as I know children will be asked to take them off in school and staff are not to wear masks.

I think staff should be allowed to wear them if they want to.

I haven't heard about DDs school bus yet. It's private hire. I hope for the sake of the bus driver they have to wear masks before getting on. Obviously he can't police whether they wear them during the journey.

I work in a shop and there are a few younger ones wearing masks in shops around here, I'd say she three upwards.

My friend works with reception. Her school is one of the few who issued masks to staff, optional to wear. She tells me some children in infants end are wearing masks. Personally, I'm sure it's coming, especially as there's rumours of a second wave and wanting all children back in school.

It seems that they have updated the guidance today/ said today that there will be an announcement on PPE later this week - seen on another thread, reliable poster.

(Have to make tea now otherwise I'd search for it!)

@actiongirl1978 I'm glad they're on board to support him. Sounds tough, poor kid.

I'm not making my 7 year old wear one anywhere and I won't unless it becomes compulsory. No issue with others doing so though.