Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Masks all day in school

260 replies

ihearttc · 31/08/2020 12:25

Furious just about sums up how I feel at the moment. Just had an email from DS1’s school (he is going into Y11) saying they will be required to wear masks all day long in school from the minute they get inside the school gates to when they leave. They are allowed to take them off to eat lunch but will need to be put back on immediately. Before I fire off an email to the school, just wondered how I stand legally with refusing to give permission for him to wear one all day long? It’s completely against the DofE guidance which states corridors and transitions only.
We live rurally and are in a very very low Covid area for what’s its worth, no where near areas on local lockdown.

OP posts:
Zodlebud · 31/08/2020 14:51

This would prevent my daughter from accessing her education. I fully support the wearing of face masks in enclosed spaces. However, when you rely on lip reading to understand what’s going on, both in lessons and socially, a rule like this just cuts her off from everyone.

Thankfully our school are having the teachers move around the building instead of the kids as much as possible, year groups being kept to certain buildings and masks only when transitioning when absolutely necessary.

TDGH1245ANON · 31/08/2020 14:54

Yabu

Mistressiggi · 31/08/2020 14:55

Indeo, your posts don't often give me a laugh, but that one did Grin

My school is getting clear panel face masks. That doesn't help with the social aspect, but should help with understanding staff.

ineedaholidaynow · 31/08/2020 14:57

@ihearttc interestingly this was in the second version of the guidance published on 28th August. Which does sort of insinuate that masks should be worn at all times. Sometime in the last 2 days Point 2 has been tweaked to now read 'where recommended, use of face coverings in schools'

Masks all day in school
maddy68 · 31/08/2020 15:00

My school all staff and pupils have to wear masks at all times within the school building (unless they are seated in the he dining hall). As a teacher with am underlying health issue. I'm very grateful

sniggy01 · 31/08/2020 15:01

I'm a teacher in a secondary school and we will be wearing masks and visers. Pupils will be wearing masks in corridors pupblic spaces and if the teacher asks them to in class
Its not ideal but it helps to keep people safe and we may as well get used to it because i'm pretty sure it will be something we will be doing for a long time. Even after covid is under some form of control there will be another super bug close behind it if you read the scientific forecasts - this is our new normal.
If your son has a medical problem that means he can't wear a mask then fine, as its just he doesn't like it then i'm afraid I don't have a lot of sympathy - you wear a mask to keep others safe - its a rule now. After a week back everyone will be used to it and you will no doubt find something else to worry and complain about.

maddy68 · 31/08/2020 15:05

Perhaps your child's school has staff with health issues that they don't wish to be made public eg undergoing cancer treatment etc

It's the heads job to ensure the staff are as safe as possible.
It's your job to bring your child up to follow rules and consider others.

You're being dramatic

Original poster
ihearttc · 31/08/2020 15:07

@sniggy01

That sounds completely reasonable and what I expected, absolutely no problem with that at all. I have an issue with them being told to put them on the second they get in the school grounds and only remove them when they leave so they need to wear them in every single lesson including break and lunchtime which is not what your school are doing.

My son actually doesn’t care and isn’t bothered about wearing one, this is coming from me not him because i don’t believe it is necessary to wear one for 6 hours straight.

OP posts:
EDSGFC · 31/08/2020 15:09

[quote ihearttc]@LadyPenelope68

Like I said I have read it but no where does it say face coverings are compulsory? And yes it’s up to the HT to make that decision. My point is if it was compulsory for every school and the guidance said so then clearly it’s the correct thing to do but it doesn’t. It’s giving the responsibility to the HT. But it doesn’t say that. Even in areas in local lockdown they are only having to wear it now until they come out of lockdown, we are in one of the lowest infection areas in the UK so it makes no sense.

But I will go and read it again to see if it does say they have been made compulsary.[/quote]
They haven't been made compulsory - it's down to HTs discretion, which then makes it very hard for HTs and governors. They are also responsible for health and safety within the school and that legislation has not changed. The science around masks is leaning towards them cutting the rates of transmission and now even reducing the viral load of the wearer too, they are compulsory in other settings including shops and public transport, which makes it even more nonsensical that they aren't in schools. It's understandable that some HTs, especially if they have extremely vulnerable staff and students, would follow the general science around masks and opt to make them compulsory.

It's the government's attempts to pass the buck that is causing the problem here.

Bollss · 31/08/2020 15:09

Maybe its because they chose the wrong time and place to have the discussion

No let's not make excuses. Secondary schools are not places for discussions. Especially in academy's. It's shut up, put up, keep our attendance and grades up or fuck off.

Backtobasics5 · 31/08/2020 15:09

I would not send an email OP. Are you friendly with any of the other parents from school? The whole point of wearing a mask is to protect others (allegedly). To be honest weather they work or not it’s desperate times and we seem to have forgotten how bad things were in March.
Wearing a mask all day is no fun but you do adjust and get used to them.

Original poster
ihearttc · 31/08/2020 15:09

@maddy68

This is coming from me not my child. He will follow whatever rules he is given at school. I’m simply questioning why they are implementing something which is not in the guidance.

OP posts:
Bollss · 31/08/2020 15:10

[quote Shitfuckoh]@TrustTheGeneGenie
I've seen worse comments on here from parents about teachers they've never met.
@noblegiraffe has not said it's any of her pupils parents, she's pointed out that there is some batshit parents around & as a parent, I do agree with her. If she was saying Little Jimmys mother Rowena is a total bitch, she's only sent this in to school today! I could understand a little as to why you have taken such a dislike.[/quote]
What like noble is doing about parents she's never met? Ah ok...Hmm

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 15:10

Discretion in corridors etc not in classrooms, which is not advised.

lakesidesummer · 31/08/2020 15:13

@Mistressiggi my dc were given a mask bag which they place their mask in during lunch.

I'm sure that they aren't managing mask wearing as effectively as hospital staff would be in terms of cross contamination etc but it isn't too stressful for them.

They put one on before arriving at school, are temp checked at the door, sanitize their hands and go to a bubble classroom.

They have a bag on their desk to put their mask in over lunch. The dc have spare masks in case they need them.

Original poster
ihearttc · 31/08/2020 15:15

@MarshaBradyo

That’s my point (if I’m interpreting what you are saying correctly!) that I’d have no issue with mask wearing in corridors etc as it makes sense there with high traffic volumes but I’m struggling to see how or why they need to wear them in lesson times.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 31/08/2020 15:17

it makes sense there with high traffic volumes but I’m struggling to see how or why they need to wear them in lesson times.

I see it the opposite way around - it makes no sense to mandate them in corridors where pupils will only be close to each other for tiny amounts of time and then say they’re not necessary in a poorly ventilated classroom where the kids will be sat for extended periods.

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 15:17

Tbh it would bug me that the guidance was being ignored, and I’d question how it can be.

Original poster
ihearttc · 31/08/2020 15:23

@noblegiraffe

There is that point, but then why have the government only suggested it in transition areas? Surely they must have got the evidence from somewhere (or maybe not!!)

OP posts:
WaltzfortheMars · 31/08/2020 15:23

@WhySoMuchMess funny that Noble has always been trusted and respected teacher on MN who is always willing to help us parents.

Shitfuckoh · 31/08/2020 15:25

[quote WaltzfortheMars]@WhySoMuchMess funny that Noble has always been trusted and respected teacher on MN who is always willing to help us parents.[/quote]
This says it better than I ever could.

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 15:28

‘Face coverings can have a negative impact on learning and teaching and so their use in the classroom should be avoided.’

From government document. It’s pretty up front. I can’t imagine the schools we use going against that.

The HT was very swift with his own decision on corridors etc though which was great.

Original poster
ihearttc · 31/08/2020 15:31

@MarshaBradyo

Which government document is that in? Appreciate there are many!!

OP posts:
TheSeedsOfADream · 31/08/2020 15:31

How do they know?
Is that since, what? Last week?
Being off school with Covid probably has more of an effect on your education to be fair.

MarshaBradyo · 31/08/2020 15:32

There sure are. I googled it and got this

gov.uk face coverings in education