Northampton secondary school students and staff must wear face coverings in communal areas after government U-turn

Secondary school students and staff in Northampton will have to wear face coverings to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus after a U-turn by the government.

The Department for Education has changed its 'no masks necessary' policy following advice from the World Health Organisation that children aged over 12 should wear one.

Nationally it will up to schools to decide whether or not to force people to wear face coverings 'if they believe that is right in their particular circumstances', according to the education secretary.

But in areas where the transmission of the virus is high, such as Northampton, masks are mandatory when moving around schools and in communal spaces where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

However it will not be necessary to wear face coverings in the classroom, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and where they can inhibit learning, a government spokesperson added.

Moulton School and Science College (MSSC) head teacher Angie Dabbs wrote to parents confirming students should wear a face covering when on school transport, walking in corridors, queueing for food or residing in communal areas.

"The guidance changes as more information becomes available and MSSC continues to reflect on that guidance and work with parents and carers to alleviate anxieties and concerns about a safe return to school," she told the Chronicle & Echo.

"We will continue to do everything we can to keep our school community as safe as possible."

Schools are set to welcome back all students next week after the summer holidays and the closure to all but vulnerable children and those with key worker parents in March due to Covid-19.

Northampton has been labelled as an 'area of enhanced intervenetion' by Public Health England because of its rate of infection, mostly due to the outbreak at the Greencore food factory two weeks ago.

A spokesperson for Cambian Potterspury Lodge School, a special school off the A5 near Potterspury for students with autism and behaviours that challenge, said: “We fully support the government's drive to get schools open and to stop the spread of Covid-19.

"Working with our students will be following the latest face mask guidance as fully as we are able.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson warned that if the rate of transmission increases across the whole country, it may be necessary to apply stricter guidance on face coverings in schools nationally.

"Our priority is to get children back to school safely. At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice," he said.

"We have therefore decided to follow the World Health Organisation’s new advice. In local lockdown areas children in year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces.

"Outside of local lockdown areas face coverings won’t be required in schools, though schools will have the flexibility to introduce measures if they believe it is right in their specific circumstances.

"I hope these steps will provide parents, pupils and teachers with further reassurance."