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Government prioritising young people’s education and
wellbeing by keeping settings open
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Face coverings recommended for staff and students in
year 7 and above in communal areas outside of
classrooms
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Guidance to be implemented as soon as possible, with
leeway until Monday 9 November if needed
The government has today (Wednesday 4 November) published guidance for education
settings ahead of national restrictions coming into force from
Thursday 5 November, building on the guidance first published in
July.
During the national restrictions, face coverings should be worn
by students and staff in secondary schools and further education
colleges in communal spaces, outside of classrooms, where social
distancing cannot be maintained.
The guidance is clear that primary school children do not need to
wear face coverings, and older children and young people with
special educational needs or disabilities may be exempt from
wearing them, depending on their need. No one should be excluded
from education for not having a face covering.
Primary schools continue to have discretion to recommend staff
and visitors wear face coverings in communal spaces where social
distancing cannot be maintained, but this is not a requirement
and it is for individual schools to make these decisions locally.
The requirements in relation to face coverings were already in
place for schools in Local Alert Level High and Very High areas.
Schools should work to implement the guidance as soon as
possible, but have until Monday 09 November if they require
additional time.
Education Secretary
said:
“We must put the interests of our children and young people
first, especially when the benefits of being in the classroom are
clear.
“Children are settled back into their routines and schools have
protective measures in place keep their staff and pupils as safe
as possible.
“Education is a national priority and we cannot allow it to be
disrupted again.”
The guidance published today continues the government’s approach
to prioritising pupils’ full time education in school. There are
currently no plans for school closures or to implement rota
systems. Any changes to attendance would be implemented as a last
resort.
Our existing
guidance published in July sets out a range of measures to
reduce the risk of transmission, including physical distancing
between staff and pupils and increased ventilation in classrooms
where possible.
Evidence has highlighted the risks of not being in education on
young people’s development and mental health. As the UK’s Chief
Medical Officers have made
clear: the wider risks to children being out of school is far
greater than the risk of catching coronavirus at school.
