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Original poster

Mask Wearing in Secondary. Shocking!

89 replies

palacegirl77 · 11/03/2021 15:42

Daughter has come home from first day back in Y7 today. All 29 kids in her class wore masks for the whole day. Not one of the teachers wore them apart from in corridors. What's that about?? Why aren't they protecting their students? Seems very odd to me but thought I would raise it as I'm quite frankly sick of people moaning about irresponsible children and their selfish families. So there you have it. 100% of students in masks.

OP posts:
Original poster
palacegirl77 · 11/03/2021 17:03

[quote tink09]@palacegirl77 if you want to read the guidance for schools in England.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/968401/Schools_operational_guidance_-March-2021-update.pdf[/quote]
Thank you I definitely will!

OP posts:
TheMoth · 11/03/2021 17:21

We have to wear masks to teach. Luckily, I'm quite loud. But I'm not drinking anywhere near enough.

LondonJax · 11/03/2021 17:30

What do you suggest for kids that are hard of hearing or need to be able to see the teacher's lips @palacegirl77?

Our DS's school is exactly the same. Teachers are standing in front of and facing 30 'sprays' from students whether they are 2 metres or not from the kids. Kids are getting one spray from the teacher as they are, usually, facing front. If the teacher could stand at the back and be heard that'd be fine - but I doubt the kids would learn much if they couldn't see or hear the teacher!

Totallyfedup1979 · 11/03/2021 17:35

If I’m not allowed to wear my pyjama bottoms to school, then they can stick their masks up their arse. I’ve worked perfectly well in my pyjama bottoms for months. Angry

IFoundMyselfInThisBar · 11/03/2021 17:36

Is this in England? We are....Im wondering if the guidance is different in different areas?

Yes, England. I’m not sure if this is school policy, or just teachers preference. I’ve just re read the email detailing all the return to school procedures and it doesn’t say anything about teachers wearing masks. My daughter did say that one teacher used to wear a face shield instead of a mask, but is now wearing a mask as they’re no longer allowed to use the shields.
Teaching must be very difficult wearing a mask. Although it may help keep their face warm, 😬, my daughter has been very cold since returning to school and lots of kids are wearing coats and gloves in the classroom. It’s a very hard situation for staff and pupils.

StepOutOfLine · 11/03/2021 17:39

@margaritasbythesea

In our school in Wales, we've been told everyone has to wear a medical grade mask in the classroom all the time, which is rather worrying for me and the child I support as we are both hearing impaired. We go back on Monday. It's going to be very tough.
Have you asked the school which transparent mask they will accept for hearing impaired students/teachers?
ChameleonClara · 11/03/2021 17:42

@beckypv

We wear masks in our school. If once we are at our desk and can be 2m away from the pupils, we can take them off. If we can’t be that far away, or we circulate the room, we would put our mask on. Pupils can also remove their masks if they happen to be in a setting that lets them sit 2m apart (usually the smaller groups in a level)
This is our school's approach too with teachers, I think the students wear them all the time indoors. The teachers taking them off to teach helps those children with hearing impairment which I think is an important consideration, they would have been very shut out otherwise.
Fortyfifty · 11/03/2021 17:43

DH is wearing a mask to teach when in a cramped classroom with the front row very close to him and if walking around the classroom. In a larger classroom or in a class with low numbers, like 6th form, he's not. Teachers are more at risk of being ill. Students need to hear teachers. Seems like it is best if students all wear them and teachers only do so when absolutely necessary.

Original poster
palacegirl77 · 11/03/2021 17:43

@LondonJax

What do you suggest for kids that are hard of hearing or need to be able to see the teacher's lips *@palacegirl77*?

Our DS's school is exactly the same. Teachers are standing in front of and facing 30 'sprays' from students whether they are 2 metres or not from the kids. Kids are getting one spray from the teacher as they are, usually, facing front. If the teacher could stand at the back and be heard that'd be fine - but I doubt the kids would learn much if they couldn't see or hear the teacher!

Well I am happy for the teacher not to wear the mask, but I was also happy for the kids not to. Id prefer for none of them to wear the mask IF theyve had a negative test. I was just surprised as all Id heard was how close teachers were to the students so Id assumed theyd all be in masks, im very glad theyre not!
OP posts:
itsgettingwierd · 11/03/2021 18:03

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/967285/Faceecoveringsinneducation-March-2021.pdf

Bottom of page 5.

Clearly states face coverings worn where distance cannot be maintained. So if teacher is at front with 2m distance they don't need a covering.
If students are not distanced from each they do.

And for help if you ever want to know what covid rules are you can google gov.U.K.

Dustyboots · 11/03/2021 18:04

Kids with hearing difficulties - and other special needs - can't process things/lip read/ hear so well - and learn so well ...

I have hearing difficulties that can't be remedied with a hearing aid (had this since a child). I'd have been buggered.

DS has learning difficulties connected to a brain injury - he would not be able to process the information coming out of the teacher's mouth - if he couldn't see the mouth moving. Sounds weird, but it's true. And will be true for many children.

itsgettingwierd · 11/03/2021 18:05

And if teachers cannot distance they should be wearing masks and schools should be sourcing the ones with the clear mouthpiece.

Farcry66 · 11/03/2021 18:10

I've taught 3 classes of 24, 28, and 29 students today. All but one wearing masks, and they had a good reason. I'm in a big failing secondary school in a deprived area, the VAST majority of students are complying.

I wear my mask all the time apart from when sitting at my desk to teach, the students can't hear me well enough with my mask on.

MsAwesomeDragon · 11/03/2021 18:15

I'm wearing my mask all the time, except when I'm standing at the front explicitly teaching. When I'm at the board talking to the class, there are some kids in each class who can't understand if they can't see my whole face. I teach a few hearing impaired pupils (which the other pupils may or may not be aware of), and even just sitting at the back makes it difficult to hear when I'm wearing my mask.

I would be happier wearing it at all times, and I certainly wear it if I have to get closer than 2m to any of them. That's pretty much any time I move away from the board tbh.

Original poster
palacegirl77 · 11/03/2021 18:25

@Farcry66

I've taught 3 classes of 24, 28, and 29 students today. All but one wearing masks, and they had a good reason. I'm in a big failing secondary school in a deprived area, the VAST majority of students are complying.

I wear my mask all the time apart from when sitting at my desk to teach, the students can't hear me well enough with my mask on.

Great numbers wearing masks! You must feel reassured which is excellent. Glad some people are showing how kids are trying to do the right thing!
OP posts:
HipTightOnions · 11/03/2021 18:49

At my large secondary today I didn’t see a single student without a mask. Once or twice I had to say “A little bit louder please”. No fuss whatsoever. I taught in mine.

I did encounter some colleagues without masks in communal areas, I’m sorry to say.

MsAwesomeDragon · 11/03/2021 19:11

All the pupils I've taught this week have been wearing masks. Some needed a reminder that they should cover noses as well as mouths, but they were all wearing them without too much grumbling. I might see a bit less compliance next week but that's only because my most challenging class have only had their first test today so I haven't seen them. There are 2 in there who I think might refuse/complain more loudly about it. They will have to sit far apart at the back, while the compliant mask wearers will sit closer together nearer the front (it's a relatively small class, otherwise that wouldn't work)

Greybeardy · 11/03/2021 19:12

Have you ever tried to teach a class (and project your voice) while wearing a mask? It’s really not very easy.

...it’s probably easier than projecting your voice whilst wearing an FFP3 mask and visor in a noisy intensive care for a 12 hour shift .... which is what a lot of us have been doing for the last year.

(Agree though that for the benefit of those kids with hearing difficulties teachers are probably better out of masks when appropriate distancing is possible)

HedgeSparrows · 11/03/2021 19:14

It's probably because parents complain if the teachers wear masks.

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 11/03/2021 19:17

We don't have to wear them when teaching from the front if we don't want to and have been told not to if hearing impaired students are in the classroom. I don't circulate anymore, there's no way I'm exposing myself to extra risk.

huseab · 11/03/2021 19:17

I'm a teacher in a large secondary. All staff and pupils are wearing masks unless they are exempt or sat down eating. That includes for teaching. It's not ideal but we have managed.

EnoughnowIthink · 11/03/2021 19:21

There are thousands of children in our schools who need to be able to see a teacher's full face for optimal learning for a whole host of reasons. If your child was hearing impaired even just a little bit, you would expect teachers to take account of that. I am a mildly hearing impaired teacher and I am really struggling with students having masks on. It's really very difficult. I can cope 'cos I'm an adult and I have no shame asking a student to repeat but imagine how that is for students who rely on being able to see all facial expressions, body language, lip reading etc. to understand what is going on.

I am fortunate that in most rooms, I am able to be 2 metres away from my students so I am happy to remove my mask on that basis. If I need to hand something out or help them then I put my mask on so they are offered the same protection I am offering them.

Interesting how this bothers you now you think it's your child who might suffer. Did you speak up for teachers when they were concerned?

Flinstones · 11/03/2021 19:24

Ridiculous mask wearing now in schools!!!! We have vaccines & tests. Pointless. Our poor kids. How much more do they have to endure for the greater good

LividLiving · 11/03/2021 19:26

I’ve had my (bought off Amazon) FFP2 on all day. Swap to a clear panel one (bought myself, school have provided really nasty cheap ones and the expensive ones are bad enough) when teaching HI kids or I want my lips seen.

If you could all tell your kids to WEAR IT OVER YOUR SODDING NOSE then you’ll save me a job. If it’s too big, get one that sodding fits.

bananamonster · 11/03/2021 19:27

"We have vaccines & tests"

Teachers don't have vaccines. Kids don't have vaccines. The tests aren't reliable.