Students and staff at Sheffield school to wear face masks in 'corridors, toilet and at lockers'

Mercia School, in Millhouses, said that pupils and staff will wear a mask “on the corridor, in the toilet and at the lockers” when they return next month.

The school said the decision had been made based on recommendations of Public Health in Sheffield who, on August 27, advised that pupils and staff in secondary schools wear face masks in indoor communal areas as a ‘precautionary measure’.

Although face coverings will be worn while moving about between classes, they will not be worn in the classroom and are not necessary when pupils are outside.

In a letter to parents and carers, headteacher Dean Webster said: “Please check that your child has a plain black or disposable blue mask every day. Your child will also need a sealable bag so their mask may be stored in their blazer pocket. We will talk pupils through all safety measures at the start of the school year.

“We will review this decision regularly and as always adapt quickly to any further guidance changes. Please be assured we are in regular contact with local Public Health officials.”

The latest government guidance states that face masks are not mandatory in schools.

However, schools and colleges 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.”

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