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Face coverings U-turn for England’s secondary schools Face coverings U-turn for England’s secondary schools
(about 1 hour later)
Secondary pupils in England will have to wear masks in school corridors in local lockdown areas of England, after the government reversed its guidance.Secondary pupils in England will have to wear masks in school corridors in local lockdown areas of England, after the government reversed its guidance.
Head teachers in any secondary school will also have the "flexibility" to introduce masks in their schools.Head teachers in any secondary school will also have the "flexibility" to introduce masks in their schools.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says it follows updated advice from the World Health Organization.Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says it follows updated advice from the World Health Organization.
"At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice," said Mr Williamson."At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice," said Mr Williamson.
The Department for Education says it is keeping its recommendation against using face coverings - but that schools can make their own decision to ask pupils and staff to wear them. The Department for Education says that, for most areas of England, it is keeping its recommendation against using face coverings - but that schools will be able to make their own decision whether to ask pupils and staff to wear them.
This will be in "communal areas" of schools such as corridors, rather than in classrooms, when schools "believe that is right in their particular circumstances". This will be in "communal areas" of schools such as corridors, where it is difficult to have social distancing, and when schools "believe that is right in their particular circumstances".
But in parts of the country with high levels of corona virus transmission, such as those with a local lockdown, the wearing of masks will be compulsory in such communal areas.
The new guidelines, which apply from 1 September, also warn that "stricter guidance" on face coverings could apply to all schools "if the rate of transmission increases across the whole country".
The government had been under pressure over face masks in England's schools - with secondary schools in Scotland to use them in corridors or shared areas from next week.The government had been under pressure over face masks in England's schools - with secondary schools in Scotland to use them in corridors or shared areas from next week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had earlier said: "We'll look at the changing medical evidence as we go on, if we need to change the advice then of course we will."Prime Minister Boris Johnson had earlier said: "We'll look at the changing medical evidence as we go on, if we need to change the advice then of course we will."
The ASCL head teachers' union had warned of confusion about the rules over face coverings - and said there was a lack of clarity over how schools should respond if teachers or pupils wanted to wear masks.The ASCL head teachers' union had warned of confusion about the rules over face coverings - and said there was a lack of clarity over how schools should respond if teachers or pupils wanted to wear masks.
They had said it would be "prudent" to reconsider guidance against using masks - in the light of a recent recommendation from the World Health Organization for over-12s to wear face masks. After the government's change of policy, the union's leader, Geoff Barton, said school leaders would "welcome the flexibility" of being able to "decide what best suits their circumstances".
The union's leader, Geoff Barton, had urged that if there was a U-turn, that it should be "sooner rather than later".
Despite the official guidance against face coverings, some schools had already been preparing to use them.Despite the official guidance against face coverings, some schools had already been preparing to use them.
The Oasis academy trust, with more than 50 schools in England, is to provide visors for its teachers - and secondary pupils will have to wear masks in corridors. The Oasis academy trust, with more than 50 schools in England, is to provide visors for its teachers - and secondary pupils were already going to have to wear masks in corridors.
Steve Chalke, chief executive of the trust, said there was a responsibility to make schools "as safe as we possibly can" - and that meant using masks and visors.Steve Chalke, chief executive of the trust, said there was a responsibility to make schools "as safe as we possibly can" - and that meant using masks and visors.
Like wearing a school uniform, he said wearing masks would become "part of what we do" and would be part of a wider safety plan, including hand washing and keeping pupils apart in separate "bubbles".Like wearing a school uniform, he said wearing masks would become "part of what we do" and would be part of a wider safety plan, including hand washing and keeping pupils apart in separate "bubbles".
But in secondary school corridors and shared areas, where pupils could not be kept apart, Mr Chalke said masks would be required. Mr Chalke said masks, which would be provided, would be required in secondary school corridors and shared areas where pupils could not be kept apart.
"We're using our common sense for our schools and our buildings," he said. It would be another safety measure for teachers, he said, including those who might have underlying health conditions or be in a more vulnerable age group.
It would be another safety measure for teachers, he said, including those who might have underlying health conditions or in a more vulnerable age group. He added that masks might increase the confidence of parents "nervous" about sending their children back to school.
Mr Chalke said schools leaders had to make a "moral choice" on how best to make schools safe on the scientific advice available. Labour's Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green accused the government of "passing the buck" on decisions back to schools.
He also thought using masks, which would be provided, might increase the confidence of parents "nervous" about sending their children back to school. "Face coverings should be compulsory in communal areas in schools. Instead of this half baked U-turn, the government should have given clear guidance and a plan to deliver it," she said.
A secondary school in Kent, Sir Roger Manwood's School in Sandwich, is expecting pupils and staff to wear masks - with pupils each being given three washable masks. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the changes announced would "provide parents, pupils and teachers with further reassurance" and that the "priority is to get children back to school safely".