A secondary school has told pupils returning to classrooms next week they must wear masks while on the campus.

In a lengthy update for students and parents ahead of the new term at Brockhill Park School near Hythe , principal Sonette Schwartz outlined the measures in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Students and staff will have to wear a face covering in school, while pupils who travel to and from school by bus will also be required to cover their face.

The statement on the school website continues: "We will not allow a student to board a bus in the evening if they are not wearing a face covering. We will simply telephone their parent and ask that they arrange collection of their child from the school site."

Use of face masks in schools has not been made mandatory by the Government, despite the wearing of coverings in shops and on public transport being enforced for all except those with an exemption.

Instead eduction chiefs have shifted the responsibility onto school leaders, giving head teachers "discretion to require face coverings in communal areas if they believe that is right".

Explaining the decision to introduce a compulsory mask policy at Brockhill, Ms Schwartz's statement said: "Social distancing is simply not possible in classrooms of 30 or 32 students and Gov.uk now recognizes face coverings provide a measure of protection both to the wearer and those around them."

Parents have been told that all students must attend school unless they are self-isolating or unwell.

Pupils will begin to return to classrooms at the Saltwood site next week, with only year 7 pupils coming back initially, before the whole school is expected on campus from September 8.

Other measures to minimise the spread of Covid-19 include teaching in year group bubbles, us of one way systems and synchronised departure and arrival to lessons, and some limited staggering of lunches.

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