Parents fight to get classrooms back to normal for pupils

SCHOOLS that continue to enforce masks in the classroom face legal challenges as parents fight back against rebel head teachers.

Parents have started to write letters, using a template from law firm JMW Solicitors, to warn their child’s school that continuing to mandate masks may be contrary to public law.

The template letter urges head teachers not to ignore the “clear direction” from the Government, adding that “failure to do so may result in legal action”.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister implored teachers to follow the new guidance, which states that masks should no longer be used in the classroom and should be dropped in communal areas from Thursday.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister believes it is vital that children are receiving face-to-face education and can enjoy a normal experience in the classroom.”

The campaign group Usforthem, which has published the template on its website, said they had been contacted by parents from more than 100 schools.

Molly Kingsley, the group’s cofounder, said: “We understand that heads may feel they are trying to keep the community safe...but the Government has made it clear there is no evidence base for this.” She added: “It is a damaging measure.”

The letter explains that masks have “significant” impacts on learning and communication. It says: “Head teachers who go against the government policies on matters involving serious harm to children and young people are making a decision which may be unlawful and susceptible to legal challenge.

“In particular, such a decision is likely to contravene laws on Human Rights and the Equality Act, and may fail to satisfy general public law principles regarding decision-making by public bodies (or those acting in the exercise of public powers).”

It comes as the UK’S largest teacher union issued a statement in support of schools that continue to defy the official guidance on masks.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “This is a sensible precaution, particularly given we are now in the run-up to national examinations.”