“As expected, the Prime Minister announced on Monday that pupils will no longer be required to wear face coverings in schools from 17th May. The Prime Minister’s statement can be read here. All other Covid Secure measures including bubbles, handwashing etc remain in place including regular lateral flow testing.
The guidance on face coverings in education has been amended to reflect that from 17th May face coverings will no longer be recommended for pupils in classrooms or communal areas. As ever as a school we exactly follow the advice set out by the DfE and Public Health England and so consequently face coverings at St Crispin’s will also no longer be required to be worn by students or staff in classrooms. This includes communal areas such as the Sixth Form Atrium and the Restaurant.
Advice remains in place that all adults visiting or working in a school continue to wear face coverings outside of classrooms where social distancing is not possible.
I remain entirely relaxed that if a student or colleague wishes to continue wearing masks in or outside of lessons this is perfectly permissible.
It is important to note that “The reintroduction of face coverings for pupils, students or staff may be advised for a temporary period in response to particular localised outbreaks, including variants of concern. In all cases, any educational drawbacks should be balanced with the benefits of managing transmission. The Local Action Committee structure (Bronze/Silver/Gold) should be used in such circumstances to re-introduce the use of face coverings. Immediate outbreak response (at the level of individual settings or a cluster of settings) remains for local Directors of Public Health to advise on.”
Ms Rhodes
