Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Does your school require masks in the classroom?

145 replies

notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 13:34

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:17

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.

That's because you failed to understand humour.

OP posts:
GingerbreadFairy · 12/12/2020 18:18

I work in a medium-sized Midlands secondary. Masks are strictly enforced in corridors etc (students can't leave a class before they have put a mask on) but they are not allowed to be worn by students in the classroom.

Teachers wear masks (and/or visors) if they 'cross the 2m line' at the front of the class. I'm an LSA so have no choice but to work closely with students 'behind the line', and I'm required to wear a mask at all times in the classroom.

We've had a handful of isolated cases since September, none of which have translated into an 'outbreak', so I'm pretty on board with our Head's stance. She feels strongly that masks in the classroom affect learning/communication, and I agree that the theoretical 'protective' benefit of masks doesn't outweigh the cost in class.

I would perhaps feel differently if our school had been rampaged by Covid, and if the virus was rife in my school I'd probably advocate classroom masks before I called for school closure.

Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:20

Actually there was a more serious point under the joke which is that it does make a difference how the head arranges things in the school.

Going back to the topic, I guess maybe those schools where there is more mask wearing might send fewer children home,?

OP posts:
TheRubyRedshoes · 12/12/2020 18:20

No

ChloeDecker · 12/12/2020 18:21

Oh my goodness, are you really trying to style out your fail by saying what you said was a joke!?!
Please please leave teachers alone on Mumsnet if what you say is just a joke to you. This is our lives you are messing with for your jollies.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 12/12/2020 18:21

Not required in lessons but children can wear if they choose. On corridors and moving round building staff and pupils all have to wear. Children in massive bubbles. We’ve had loads of cases and at some point every year group has been off since September. Northern big secondary school

Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:21

@GingerbreadFairy

That's really interesting. I don't know of any countries where the teachers are wearing masks but I would be happy to be corrected.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 12/12/2020 18:21

That's because you failed to understand humour.

Which bit was the funny bit?

GingerbreadFairy · 12/12/2020 18:21

Are you are journalist @notevenat20?

noblegiraffe · 12/12/2020 18:23

Please please leave teachers alone on Mumsnet if what you say is just a joke to you. This is our lives you are messing with for your jollies.

Indeed, I've mentioned before posters using a health and safety crisis in schools as a bit of a game to pass time.

Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:23

@ChloeDecker I am really sorry that non teachers talking about schools is upsetting. I would suggest you avoid Mumsnet chat and maybe find teacher only venues?

OP posts:
multivac · 12/12/2020 18:25

@notevenat20

Actually there was a more serious point under the joke which is that it does make a difference how the head arranges things in the school.

Going back to the topic, I guess maybe those schools where there is more mask wearing might send fewer children home,?

See my earlier post. Precisely the reverse in my experience.... of two schools, each with very different circumstances. Really not sure what you think you are likely to achieve here.
donkeysliveaverylongtime · 12/12/2020 18:27

Do you find yourself amusing not?

ChloeDecker · 12/12/2020 18:27

@GingerbreadFairy

Are you are journalist *@notevenat20*?
She has said she is a SAHM before. Not that that should make a difference. She has shown her true colours on this thread though, after claiming faux innocence for months now.

not you will not bully me off Mumsnet.

Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:27

Precisely the reverse in my experience.... of two schools

Oh sorry I missed that. So do you think more mask wearing encourages PHE to send more children home when there is a positive test? Why would that be?

OP posts:
donkeysliveaverylongtime · 12/12/2020 18:29

Literally loads of countries have teachers in masks, at least the countries which are still limping on doing 100% F2F teaching.

WE are the outliers.

Would you support your DCs' school if they brought in masks in classrooms OP?

donkeysliveaverylongtime · 12/12/2020 18:30

Mask wearing is not considered in contact tracing.

GingerbreadFairy · 12/12/2020 18:31

[quote notevenat20]@GingerbreadFairy

That's really interesting. I don't know of any countries where the teachers are wearing masks but I would be happy to be corrected.[/quote]
What, at all?

Staff at my school have to follow the same rules as the kids. We are all masked up in staff meetings (conducted in a big hall rather than in the actual staff room) and in corridors etc. Basically, if you are within 2m of someone, your mask is on.

I work across various year groups and have a varied timetable supporting different students in different subjects. Teachers speak from the front of the class and then put their mask/visor etc to go 'into' the class. Lots of teachers get students to hand out books and so on, to avoid 'crossing the line'.

Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:31

Literally loads of countries have teachers in masks, at least the countries which are still limping on doing 100% F2F teaching.

I didn't know that. Which countries do you have in mind? I think France doesn't.

OP posts:
multivac · 12/12/2020 18:32

@notevenat20

Precisely the reverse in my experience.... of two schools

Oh sorry I missed that. So do you think more mask wearing encourages PHE to send more children home when there is a positive test? Why would that be?

Eh? Where on earth did I say I thought that? School a (no masks in lessons) has had zero cases. So no one sent home. School b (masks at all times, catchment covering two counties) has had multiple cases. Therefore many children sent home. It's not a conspiracy, FFS.
Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:32

What, at all?

Sorry no, I meant while teaching.

OP posts:
donkeysliveaverylongtime · 12/12/2020 18:32

I am not going to answer your question OP since you won't answer mine.

Do some research.

ChloeDecker · 12/12/2020 18:33

@notevenat20

Literally loads of countries have teachers in masks, at least the countries which are still limping on doing 100% F2F teaching.

I didn't know that. Which countries do you have in mind? I think France doesn't.

Cyprus
Original poster
notevenat20 · 12/12/2020 18:34

School a (no masks in lessons) has had zero cases. So no one sent home. School b (masks at all times, catchment covering two counties) has had multiple cases. Therefore many children sent home.

I see what you mean. I was confused by your saying it was the opposite. I was wondering if having more masks might allow PHE to send fewer children home if there is a positive cases. That's a different question of course.

OP posts:
donkeysliveaverylongtime · 12/12/2020 18:35

And , funnily enough, France chloe Grin