School to make face masks an official part of its uniform

A school in Cheshire is making face masks compulsory for all pupils and staff, who will have to abide by the school uniform rules.

This is the first school in the UK to make face masks compulsory when inside the school, and parents need to buy specific, school uniform coverings made by a local company.

Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in Cheshire has made navy blue, embroidered masks part of the uniform, contrary to Government guidelines. 

The school announced the uniform change in a letter to parents which stated: “Everyone, students and staff, MUST wear a face-covering whilst inside the school buildings.

“This includes classrooms and corridors. Masks will form part of our uniform.”

The letter continues: “We have taken this decision as a precautionary additional measure to our expected safe behaviours.

“On the balance of probability, the wearing of face masks is likely to make our school safer than if we don’t wear them.” 

The letter, sent out to inform families of the measures put in place, also reminded students to maintain good hand hygiene, according to CheshireLive. 

The letter adds: “Seventy five specially sourced dispensers have been fitted outside of classrooms,”

“Every student and member of staff must clean their hands as they enter each lesson. There are no exceptions or excuses.”

The guidance from the government states that ‘wearing a face covering or face mask in schools or other education settings is not recommended’. 

Headteacher, Nigel Bielby, spoke to the BBC: “I think we’re going contrary to the guidelines because we want to keep a community that’s safe and protect those vulnerable members of our community as far as we possibly can.

“We felt it was an important step that, on the balance of probability, we were more likely to feel our children and our community was safer using a face covering as opposed to not using a face covering – and of course when the children are not in those lessons and they’re outside they can take that face covering off, so the misunderstanding that the children are in a face covering for six hours a day is incorrect.

“I think most of our community and our children will understand why we’ve taken this temporary measure and I think most of them will understand this is about the safety of the community and the care of our children.”

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “The academy, Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, is the only school that we are aware of that has implemented a temporary arrangement of mandatory face masks for pupils when they return to school in September.

“Our education team has been supporting all schools, including Holmes Chapel, to implement the guidance issued by the Department for Education on full opening from September, which clearly states that children are not expected to wear face coverings at school.”

She said that while face coverings are beneficial for short periods indoors such as on public transport, ‘this does not apply in schools, where a robust system of controls will be in place to substantially reduce the risk of transmission’. 

Councillor Flavell added: “The safety of pupils and staff continues to be our priority and schools have been working hard over the summer on their risk assessments in order to have measures in place ready for the new term.”