School still requiring masks in communal areas

[TheFuckThatIGave]

We've just had letters today from both ds's schools saying that following discussions amongst area heads, all secondaries in the area will still be requiring students to wear face masks in communal areas from Monday, exempt students aside. This is directly contrary to the DfE guidance this week. Anyone else had similar?

@TeddingtonTrashbag

Ours is ditching them in accordance with gvt advice. Pretty poor that schools pick and choose the advice -if gvt is guided by science won what basis do these schools think they have better knowledge? Nonsensical.

They are not following scientific advice. Sage and independent safe advise keeping them. But Johnson is swayed by a small pressure group set up by one of his mates so here we are - masks in large supermarkets where there’s loads of space, not in overcrowded, unventilated classrooms.

*better than a ban/complete abandonment.

Sage, not safe

@TeddingtonTrashbag

Ours is ditching them in accordance with gvt advice. Pretty poor that schools pick and choose the advice -if gvt is guided by science won what basis do these schools think they have better knowledge? Nonsensical.

Again - for the hard of thinking - the government has chosen specifically to ignore the science on this issue.

Which bit of that do you not get?

Keeping them at ours and I'm glad, in the light of the press conference. It's just going to happen all over again.

@SunshiningBetty

Well the DfE and Gavin have shown themselves to be utter incompetent knobs throughout this pandemic so whatever they recommend you would be safer to do the opposite.

Hear hear.

Last time they wanted to 'come down heavily' on schools which wanted to go to online learning because rates were through the roof was right before they had to impose a lockdown. So they really have zero credibility.

I'd love to see it go to court. Since SAGE and Indie SAGe and cdc and basically any reputable scientific organisation are recommending they be worn at rates of infection found in most of the UK (especially where social distancing not possible, like in classrooms), I'd bet on the science side winning very easily.

@IloveJKRowling

‘Indy sage’ are a far left campaign group, certainly not a reputable scientific body.

they've covered themselves legally

How do they cover themselves legally when they insist kids wear school ties?

Our local authority have said they believe children should still wear them so schools have followed their advice

3Cs - crowded places, close contact, closed spaces. If you can't eliminate all 3 then masks should be worn. Which will make schools somewhere that masks should definitely be used.

At very best, some windows might get opened, but there are lots of people in schools and no attempt at social distancing within bubbles even if there is some attempt at it between bubbles.

[quote FriedHam]@IloveJKRowling

‘Indy sage’ are a far left campaign group, certainly not a reputable scientific body.[/quote]
SAGE are also in agreement. As has been pointed out to you multiple times.

@FriedHam

Us4Them are led by right wingers with no science background. I’d trust Indy Sage to have a better scientific judgement.

I think it's a good idea, although our school isn't doing it! Masks no longer needed at all.

DS1's college have said no masks unless you are in the shop/canteen and also teachers may ask for masks if they need to get close to students to look at work etc.

Masks in school have always been guidance not law.

I let our headmaster know my daughter wouldn't be wearing one and detailed my reasons for this.

So she hasn't worn one in school at all.

Haven’t read the full thread, but it’s good to point out that the Government are issuing guidance only and it’s up to us headteachers to interpret it in our settings.

Suggest you read the thread, Jane.

Ours haven't specifically said the words " no masks from Monday" but that's basically the jist but also said if kids want to still wear masks that's also fine

What, I wonder, is the correlation between parents who allow their child to go without the mask in school, and parents who are lax about social distancing rules for the entire family outside of schools. Now it would be madness to leave the safety of schools in their hands.... wouldn't it.

Yes of course you don't need a mask dear. yes of course you can have a sleepover. Bloody hell.

Add that to the list of parents who refuse to have their precious do lateral flow tests. And/or are anti-vaxers. My idiot in-laws tick all the above. They’ve even had fucking hot tub parties.

You have to ask if they are prepared to do anything at all to help?

DS’s school have said that they are still having masks in classrooms too. Ie: no change. There is a spike on the other side of the borough, and we are only about 30 miles from Bolton.

Our school has said no masks on site, but masks still needed on buses. Teachers will still distance and only move around the classroom where necessary.

DS school masks must be worn in corridors and communal areas and is optional to wear masks in the classroom

@Lougle

Our school has said no masks on site, but masks still needed on buses. Teachers will still distance and only move around the classroom where necessary.

I hope they’ve told covid it has to stay on the bus and not get off when it arrives at school.

My child’s school has said that masks are staying in communal spaces but masks in classrooms as optional. I wish they’d make it mandatory for all who can wear them.

Schools have been completely shafted by the DfE and Gavin’s incompetence time and time again. It defies logic that they are advising against masks in schools now where many staff and students are unvaccinated whilst in the same breath talking about a new variant of concern.

We've had no update but the rumour is that they're to keep them on until 21st June due to the new variant and the part of the U.K. we live.