Government finally considering making schools safer - masks in secondary classrooms

[noblegiraffe]

Someone has apparently told the government that there are other options between schools open as normal and closed.

schoolsweek.co.uk/government-planning-to-make-face-masks-compulsory-in-secondary-school-classrooms-dfe-official-says/

"The Department for Education is considering plans to make face masks compulsory in the classroom for pupils in year 7 and above, as well as their teachers, a government official said during a briefing on Covid plans."

The rest of the world think that we're batshit for leaving it this long, but if true, would be a positive move.

Obviously exemptions would apply.

Maybe someone could also suggest funding for improved ventilation?

And to drop the stupid inaccurate testing instead of isolating close contacts plan.

Still, baby steps.

Fuck me. Honestly.

That’s cheered me up today-excellent news!

That’s good news!! Expect the Us For Themselves wankers to be up in arms about it though

Let's hope they actually do this. I fear that they won't though.

Good.

I hope we get see-through face masks. I have a few year 7s reliant on lip reading. You can see they've struggled developing friendships with masks on in free time.

And yet still no measures for primary, whose cases are rising at the same rate as secondary.

That is good news. Hopefully this is something they put into place before secondary school goes back. I'd be happy for my Year 3 DS to wear one too if it keeps him in school.

Yes!
Another thing they could do to help would be easing off on the uniform requirements for a bit, it's going to be cold in classrooms with all the windows open. Would students in coats really be so bad?

Thanks noble! Very good news if they actually action this and not just consider it to make headlines look good!
Come on DfE you can do this!

Well, it would have been a lot better if they'd realised this glaringly obvious mitigation (that everyone else is doing and which all scientific advice recommends) back in September before we had 50,000 cases a day and overwhelmed hospitals.

Whilst I'm all for it, talk about closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Now let's get masks in upper primary too.

@EndoplasmicReticulum

Yes! Another thing they could do to help would be easing off on the uniform requirements for a bit, it's going to be cold in classrooms with all the windows open. Would students in coats really be so bad?

Agree to this. My school, not an academy if this makes a difference, did relax the uniform code for staff and students (cue lots of chunky knits from me!) and I’ve even had a few students bring in blanket type shawls! Good stuff. Wrap up as warm as you like kids, those windows are not closing!

(Always raise an eyebrow at the pupils who come in to school in December with not even a coat and then ask to close the windows-teens eh?! If you were that cold in December, you’d wear a jumper and coat! )

Where are the safety measures for primary schools?

@Itisasecret and what is your problem with the proposal?

well a friend has his kids at a school in France, masks are essential there from the age of 6 (too young IMO). Anyway no class self-isolation necessary there as long as everyone is wearing masks. Sure some kids have been ill but seems to be very little spread in schools. It works there.

@blackwych

Where are the safety measures for primary schools?

Errm open a window if you can, and wash your hands. 😂

Got to laugh, or else i'll cry

however I'm not sure it will work for teachers. I mean obviously it would be safer but difficult for them to make themselves understood when you can't see half the face. But if all the kids are wearing masks then surely that reduces the risk to the teachers.

God, the UK is weird. In so many other countries, kids are wearing masks in school (lessons) from age 6! Cannot believe how long it has taken to get to this point.

blackwych
Where are the safety measures for primary schools?
Errm open a window if you can, and wash your hands.

Got to laugh, or else i'll cry

Don’t forget the wet paper towels

I think levels of disease generally are lower in France (and most of Europe).
It is a good move, I do worry our kids with hearing impairments, they've coped well with masks outside lessons so far.

Feel for primary school staff at the moment.

@ChloeDecker

blackwych Where are the safety measures for primary schools? Errm open a window if you can, and wash your hands.

Got to laugh, or else i'll cry

Don’t forget the wet paper towels

Well to be fair a wet paper towel can solve many issues from an imagined graze to a broken leg.

I cannot believe we have been this far behind the curve on this.

I agree @Frazzled2207
With all pupils in masks I’d feel comfortable to do direct instruction from the front without a mask to aid understanding, then mask up for the rest.

Don’t forget the wet paper towels

How silly of me, can't forget those. They're bloody magic, and can fix anything.

Wet paper towels, wash hands and maybe open a window. Gosh I feel so safe and protected when I return to a room of 32 children on Tuesday...

🤞bloody hell. Finally! I really hope this is bought in asap. I wear mine most of the time and the kids understand me fine. The students actually told me they thought it was a good idea and wished everyone did the same. Lots of them wear them in lessons too.

Watching the UK from Canada right now is just mind boggling. In my local area, schools re-opened both in person and online in September. Parents could decide whether their kids would do in person or virtual learning, and immediately ~30% of families elected to stay home. The school boards set up special virtual classrooms for those families so as not to be disruptive to teachers leading in-person classes. In schools, windows are open, and masks have been required for children 4 and up since Day 1. Social distancing is enforced.

People here are still losing their minds over our government’s incompetence but then I read a few threads on Mumsnet and I thank my lucky stars! 😂