Does your school require masks in the classroom?

[notevenat20]

I am trying to work out if heads can require children to wear masks in the classroom. There have been a few reports here of schools where this happens. I know most don't.

If your DC's school requires masks in the classroom, please say so. Any relevant details you can add about the school to understand why would be awesome too.

Nothing. I am just interested in what happens in practice in schools. Sometimes this isn't the same as what we are told should happen.
Bingo! There it is. For anyone interested, not believes that Headteachers are at fault for this current crisis because the majority won’t go against government guidelines which states masks should be avoided in classrooms (this is in England).

She also started a thread demanding teachers apologise on MN for claiming schools were having a rise of positive cases. Look where we are now. ‘Confrontational language’
Please.

No the local school doesn’t require masks in the classroom

They do wear masks while walking round the corridors

@notevenat20

So she can use it against other posters in another thread

I wish there was less of this confrontational language. We are all just trying to live our lives happily and look after our children.

Oh thats funny

Cos its not a no is it

believes that Headteachers are at fault for this current crisis

That's just silly. No one thinks head teachers started the covid pandemic.

With parent groups instructing lawyers to prepare cases against heads who go against the DfE guidance on masks and the DfE themselves threatening legal action against heads who want to keep their communities safe, it should be a surprise that any state schools in England don't follow the guidance to the letter.

What do DCs and teachers do at your DCs' school OP?

@notevenat20

believes that Headteachers are at fault for this current crisis

That's just silly. No one thinks head teachers started the covid pandemic.

As usual, you deflect, rather than admit.

“You believe Headteachers are to blame for the current rise in positive cases in schools”

You believe Headteachers are to blame for the current rise in positive cases in schools

It’s a strange feature of MN when people tell you what you believe. I never know if I am meant to reply by telling the person what they believe. A new game of “you believe”. I am always happy to chat but let’s keep this thread on topic.

@Phyzzy
I don’t think they do prohibit it. Firstly because they are all guidance documents and not policy documents. Secondly they say ‘Schools and colleges will have the discretion to require face coverings in indoor communal areas where social distancing cannot be safely managed if they believe that it is right in their particular circumstances’.

And examples:
‘where on top of hygiene measures and the system of controls recommended in the full opening guidance to schools and FE colleges and providers, permitting the use of face coverings for staff, pupils or other visitors would provide additional confidence to parents to support a full return of children to school or college’

There are other good points that people have made about accountability, clarity and back up for headteachers. And that perhaps these things should be stronger than just guidance. However, can a guidance document prohibit something? No. Do the recommendations say absolutely no masks in any circumstances? No. That is why there is variation in interpretation

Well on another thread you are suggesting that heads are arranging it to try to close whole year groups by deliberately sending teachers out to cross bubbles so that they can send loads of kids home if a teacher gets infected.

No. They are "not necessary". Tbh it's a pain in the bum trying to get them to wear them in the corridors. At least I see them walking out of the classroom door with them on. Can't say they keep them on for long.

I am really struggling to understand what your position is, not

Do you think schools should have masks in classrooms?

I am very much keeping this thread on topic and you are ignoring my question!

What happens in your DCs' school??

My dd is in an A-level class where all of the students wear a mask during lessons because the teacher had cancer last year and they don't want him to be sick because of them. This was decided between the students who also worry about his age being a risk factor for Covid.

Well on another thread you are suggesting that heads are arranging it to try to close whole year groups by deliberately sending teachers out to cross bubbles so that they can send loads of kids home if a teacher gets infected.

That’s wrong as well. I just don’t think there is much point discussing what each other believes as misunderstanding seems to be compulsory here. Let’s just stick to the facts, at least on this thread.

Are you going to answer my quesiton?

My dd is in an A-level class where all of the students wear a mask during lessons because the teacher had cancer last year and they don't want him to be sick because of them. This was decided between the students who also worry about his age being a risk factor for Covid.

That sounds really sensible and quite moving.

Are you going to answer my quesiton?

How often does that work for you in your normal life?

Tier 3 secondary.
Head recommended from the start that masks are worn in corridors. In October an email was sent out strongly advising staff and children to wear masks / visors in all lessons from then on.

@DaisyMaureen Which part of the country?

Masks compulsory in corridors and communal areas in my sons' school, but not mandatory in classrooms. Not a single case in the student body since September; no child or group of children sent home.

The local grammar school (much wider catchment) insists on masks at all times. Multiple classes and year groups have been sent home since September; year 13 currently not in school.

So that's a no then? How rude.

Tbh n real life, if I ask someone a question, they answer it.

You have asked all of us . Why so secretive about your own experience?

That’s wrong as well. I just don’t think there is much point discussing what each other believes as misunderstanding seems to be compulsory here

Have you ever considered that you are the problem if so many people are misunderstanding you?

You won't even answer straight questions.

not it’s in black and white here. And seeing you refer to this thread where these quote come from, I’m assuming this is allowed.

You have stated:
Head teachers can do some things. I believe they can require masks for children in secondary and they can put in temperature checks too.

Doesn't the school decide how it wants to arrange itself, in particular with respect to which classes mix.

This is a choice for the head to take.

If the head really wants the school to be more empty they can also make sure teachers teach across years so if any teacher gets infected huge numbers of children will be sent home.

So effectively the head can decide how large a group will be sent home when there are cases by how they have arranged the bubbles.

tbh n real life, if I ask someone a question, they answer it

Thats how it usually works for me as well