Pressure mounts for face masks in schools

Ministers are coming under pressure for face coverings to be worn in schools in England ahead of their full reopening next month.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth has said face coverings for older children in schools "should be considered" as students return in September.

Governmentguidance for schools returning in September says face coverings are not required as pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups and they should be removed on arrival at the school gates.

But the NASUWT teachers' union has called on the Department for Education (DfE)toreviseitsguidanceon face coverings "as a matter of urgency" to help staff return to school in the autumn with "confidence".

Patrick Roach, generalsecretary of NASUWT, said the position in schools is "out of step" with public health guidance that suggests face masks should be worn when physical distancing cannot be assured.

He said: "We strongly suggest that your guidance for schools should now be broughtintolinewithchanges to the Government's guidance for other sectors.”

The GMB union has also called on ministers to allow schoolstafftowear face masks if they want to when they returninSeptember. Rehana Azam, GMB national secretary, said: "Our members tell us they are scared of what's to come in September and feel it's strange the Government tells them to wear masks on thewaytoworkbutnotwhen they are in school."

School standards minister Nick Gibb said the guidanceremainsthatsecondary school pupils will not have to wearfacecoveringsinschool.