A Kent secondary is implementing mandatory mask-wearing upon its students' return.

Sir Roger Manwood's School in Sandwich has sent a letter to parents stating they expect schoolchildren to wear face coverings when they re-enter school this week.

To aid this, those coming back - both staff and students - will be given three washable masks.

The letter penned by head teacher Lee Hunter reads: "Unfortunately, Covid-19 is still a global issue and as such we have had to devise a plan to manage the risks that remain with the aim of maximising the safety of students and staff and supporting our goal of a safe and permanent physical return to education and ultimately our educational normality."

In an email attached to the letter, which sets out the school's re-opening plan, Mr Hunter writes: "We had the vast majority of this plan in place seven weeks ago before we broke up for the summer, but we did not want to publish it until close to the start of term as the government has revised its guidance for schools over 300 times since March and did not want to publish it and then have to change it.

"In the letter, you will read that we are making the wearing of face coverings by students mandatory (and by staff too). We had decided on this back in July as:

• over a quarter of our staff fall into either the vulnerable or extremely vulnerable categories, or have members of their household having to shield

• none of our classrooms are big enough for students to be able to stay 2m apart
• so many of our students use public transport to come into school and so will be in contact with others outside their year groups
• the wearing of face coverings inside buildings was mandatory in other scenarios (shops, etc)
• that is what the majority of countries who dealt with similar pandemics in the early 2000s were doing in their schools for this pandemic"

Further in the letter, Mr Hunter writes: "Different colours are allocated to different year groups to support our geographical bubble and organisation of break and lunchtimes.

"Students who turn-up to school without a mask on the first occasion will be given a disposable mask from stock and you will be informed.

"If they turn up again without a mask you will be contacted and the student will be sent home until they are willing to support our community health and safety measures."

It should be noted that at the end of the head's letter, contacts are provided in case a student has a medical condition for which they are not able to wear a face mask.

Other measures being taken are year group bubbles, staggering lesson timings and breaks and limiting extra-curricular activities.

As there will be no changing facilities available, parents are being asked to ensure their child comes in in suitable PE kit.

The letter continues: "Teaching staff have been asked to keep homework to the essential minimum – particularly for younger year groups.

"This will enable subjects who rely more heavily on IT to set work that cannot be done in class, for completion at home.

"During lock-down all pupils had access to IT facilities – if this is no longer the case for your child can you please get in touch with their Head of Year.

"Similarly, we are also encouraging staff to request electronic submissions of work to reduce exposure to paper based infection."

The school is also asking parents to make them aware as soon as any Covid-19 symptoms might appear.

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