Face coverings

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The Department for Education Guidance (DfE) says:  When an area moves to Local COVID Alert Level: high or very high, in settings where pupils in year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults and pupils when moving around the premises, outside of classrooms, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing cannot easily be maintained. Face coverings in education - GOV.UK

From today, all staff and students have been informed that wearing a face covering in school when moving around, in corridors, outside classrooms and in communal areas is COMPULSORY.  A virtual presentation was made to the whole school to reiterate this message and to support students in this new stage of managing face coverings in school. 

Families of students with a health, anxiety, physical or hidden disability reason for not wearing a face covering should inform the school so that we are aware of this exemption.  Visit the government website for further information Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make your own.

It is really important that face coverings are worn correctly and families provide clear instructions to their child on how to wear it to avoid inadvertently increasing the risks of transmission. How to put on, remove, store and dispose of face coverings 

Safe wearing of face coverings requires cleaning of hands before and after touching , including to remove or put them on,  and the safe storage of them in individual, sealable plastic bags between use.  We have reinforced, and will continue to reinforce these instructions in school. 

The Tier 2 restrictions that have now been put in place will be reviewed by the government after one month, so about mid November. We will also be able to review the use of face coverings based on the government's next steps. 

You must keep following existing safety measures. Practising social distancing, good hand hygiene and adhering to government guidelines on the rule of six and wearing a face covering will make a difference. As will self-isolating immediately if you display any symptoms of coronavirus and booking a test as soon as possible. Visit Hands, Space Face, public information on the government website. 

Please remember that if you have any of the main Covid-19 symptoms (below), you need to book a test 

  • New, continuous cough

  • High temperature 

  • Loss of or change to sense of taste or smell.