Facemasks reintroduced in schools following virus wave

HUNDREDS of students will have to wear face masks in lessons in the wake of a coronavirus outbreak across their town.

Westwood College and Leek High have both reintroduced mandatory face coverings in classrooms and corridors.

While St Edward’s CE Academy, also in Leek, is urging pupils from Year 7 and Year 8 to wear them each day.

It follows an outbreak of the Indian variant – also known as the Delta variant – in the Moorlands town over the half-term holiday.

More than 30 cases have so far been confirmed in Leek, and at least 1,000 pupils and staff had to self-isolate.

The Department for Education relaxed the rules over wearing face masks in secondary schools last month.

But the guidance states: “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.”

Matt Taylor headteacher of Westwood College, informed parents of the updated advice in a letter.

It means students will be expected to wear masks in ‘all indoor communal spaces’ and classrooms, other than when eating or drinking.

He said: “Students coped admirably with this requirement on their return to school in March and, although we know it is not ideal, we are sure that they will cope with this expectation again.

“Students should bring masks with them to school each day.

“We do have a stock of masks in school should a student break or forget to bring one, but this should be an exception rather than a rule.”

Tom Hutchinson, principal of St Edward’s, also confirmed in a letter to parents that the school has received advice from the Department for Education and Public Health England about mask-wearing.