Having to wear masks for PE lessons and breaktimes outside.

[Ohdear82929]

My dc senior school are also making the children wear masks for PE lessons inside and outside and also at breaktimes outside. Does this seem excessive to you because it does it me. They've never had to do this before.

Ridiculous.

I'm in Scotland where kids have been wearing masks in secondary schools right through, since they went back in August 2020. They are required inside only. Not outside and certainly not for PE.

really, for outside as well.

@MarshmallowFondant

Ridiculous.

I'm in Scotland where kids have been wearing masks in secondary schools right through, since they went back in August 2020. They are required inside only. Not outside and certainly not for PE.

I was shocked when both my children told me that. Especially for PE.

@vodkaredbullgirl

really, for outside as well.

Yes outside at breaktimes

This is ridiculous.

I don't get how masks are touted by teachers in England as being so important when they have never been removed in Scotland and haven't helped our numbers one bit.

@LadyCleathStuart

This is ridiculous.

I don't get how masks are touted by teachers in England as being so important when they have never been removed in Scotland and haven't helped our numbers one bit.

I know it's happening at breaktimes as they were disgruntled last week as couldn't have a snack..my dc landed the PE one on me this morning as they left so I want to clarify that again when they get home!

They should be able to have a snack! How can they not allow children to have a snack during breaks? I would be complaining big time.

@LadyCleathStuart

They should be able to have a snack! How can they not allow children to have a snack during breaks? I would be complaining big time.

I had to send an email last term about something so was reluctant to complain again but think I may have to.

Masks during Pe sounds like a health and safety issue to me. Investigate it, and if it’s true write an oh so polite letter to the school saying that you will be contacting the governing body/LEA/OFSTED about that blatant health and safety issue. I think you will find that they soon stop having to wear masks for PE! (And at break they should be allowed a snack, that could also come under health and safety to be honest for reasons such as energy levels and blood sugar, not to mention poor concentration in lessons if they are hungry)

In PE seems weird - what are they actually doing in PE this term?

Outdoors I'd expect only if cases were v high locally (which is true of many places) and/or they were having trouble when pupils 'forget' to put then back on indoors

@Nosquit

Masks during Pe sounds like a health and safety issue to me. Investigate it, and if it’s true write an oh so polite letter to the school saying that you will be contacting the governing body/LEA/OFSTED about that blatant health and safety issue. I think you will find that they soon stop having to wear masks for PE! (And at break they should be allowed a snack, that could also come under health and safety to be honest for reasons such as energy levels and blood sugar, not to mention poor concentration in lessons if they are hungry)

I want to clarify the PE one. They both have PE today so will find out!

I'm not anti mask but they is wrong and ott. Poor kids 😪

Yes it is excessive. The poor kids. Masks are not needed outside, so they are not required to wear them when outside for break. Tell your kids that they can remove them if they want to when outdoors and if school have an issue to contact you.
As for PE, if your kids come back and say that it really is the case, then that is just insane.

The Government guidance does say masks can be removed for lessons like PE, but schools will do their own risk assessment. This risk assessment should be on the school website

Imo shouldn't really be doing pe inside anyway except maybe gym yoga etc.
Would be interested to see the co2 monitor on that one. Though secondary probably have large.gym? It seems that not all have windows etc though

Poor kids!

Really wouldn’t be comfortable Ds wearing one doing pe , but it Just seems pointless wearing them else wear in other lessons to then mingle in changing rooms and pe for 40 mins or canteen .

Can’t see masks working in schools different popping one on for supermarket . So with that and kids coming in from positive households just pointless it will spread in pe lessons .

Yes ridiculous. I’d complain to the school and if no resolution to my local mp

Today 09:57 HSHorror

“Imo shouldn't really be doing pe inside anyway except maybe gym yoga etc.”

Don’t think we have the weather to do all pe lessons outside with high schools , but primary opposite me seem to manage they have them all out at every opportunity.
Definitely increased breaks and lunch play . One way of keeping cases down !

Masks in pe really doesn’t sound safe if that is what is happening. They reduce oxygen intake while you are under exertion and significantly reduce performance in sport. Occasionally pre covid pro cyclists trained with them to mimic the effects of high altitude but they were very fit and under specialist supervision. Absolutely inappropriate for children of a range of fitness and some with medical conditions under the supervision of a pe teacher. Plus extremely unfair when people going to the gym don’t wear one.

I live in Spain. My 6 year old (and every child above 6) has had to wear a mask all day at school for over a year. That includes during breaktime outside and PE. The only time they can take it off is to eat ☹

Most kids just get on with it but I think it's awful.

There is zero need to wear a mask outside. Write to the school and tell them to stop being so stupid. You can't do PE with a mask on!

That sounds mad to me. DD's school has been tougher with restrictions than most (masks worn anywhere inside for most of the pandemic) but even they don't insist on masks outside or during PE.

Ask them to send you the risk assessment with the evidence that wearing a mask during PE does more good than harm. Bet there isn’t any.