A grammar school will make wearing face masks compulsory in the classroom for all pupils and teachers.

Wilmington Grammar School for Girls, in Parsons Lane, took the decision to increase its 'Covid-secure' measures despite the government not enforcing face coverings in schools.

In a letter addressed to parents, headteacher Michelle Lawson said: "The wearing of face coverings will be mandatory inside and outside of classrooms and indoor communal areas for staff and students.

"This means that masks will be required inside school buildings when students are not eating/drinking at all times.

"We will be keeping classrooms as ventilated as possible with windows and doors open.

"I would therefore ask parents/carers to provide their children with at least one face covering/mask to wear in school each day.

"We would also ask you to reinforce to your child the importance of wearing a face covering on public transport.

"All students are expected to follow all protective measures in place at WGSG and failure to comply with these instructions will result in sanctions in line with the school’s Behaviour Policy.

"These are difficult times and we are introducing these measures to do all we can to keep the school open."

According to the World Health Organisation, children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults, in particular when they cannot guarantee at least a one metre distance from others.

The government has not said wearing masks is required and has left it up to individual headteachers' discretion about whether to implement the rules for their school.

The move by Wilmington Grammar has angered some parents already but today a Kent university virologist said children should be made to wear coverings in the classroom to reduce the spread of the virus and protect fellow pupils and school staff .

Information of the government's website reads: "Nationwide, the government is not recommending face coverings are necessary in education settings generally because a system of controls, applicable to all education environments, provides additional mitigating measures.

"Schools and colleges will have the discretion to require face coverings in indoor communal areas where social distancing cannot be safely managed, if they believe that it is right in their particular circumstances."

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford