Dear parents / Carers
Thank you for your continued support during these difficult times. As you will no doubt have seen, the government recently updated its guidance on face coverings in secondary schools but there has been discussion whether this is also necessary for primary schools. For clarity, the guidance for primary schools remains the same although there is much speculation in the press about possible changes in policy.
In simple terms, the guidance states the following:
- From 1 September 2020, new advice will apply to the use of face coverings by staff and pupils in some schools. This means that in some areas of the school, members of staff may choose to wear a mask (like in the staff room or communal areas). Children will not wear masks and adults will not wear masks in the class room, although they may wear a visor if they feel that this is necessary.
- In areas of ‘national government intervention’ ie where the number of COVID cases is highest , the government will require adults and pupils to wear face coverings when moving around their school, such as in corridors and communal areas where social is difficult to maintain. We will inform parents/carers should we require children to wear a mask.
The government is not recommending face coverings as necessary in education settings generally. This means that children and adults will not wear masks in class. However, we realise that some children / parents may feel more comfortable wearing a mask when coming onto the school premises. With this in mind, we have attached the latest government guidance on how to wear a face covering. If your child is wearing a face mask please ensure that you take it home with you once you have dropped your child off at school.
How to wear a face covering
A face covering should:
- cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
- fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
- be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
- be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton
- ideally include at least two layers of fabric (the World Health Organisation recommends three depending on the fabric used)
- unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged
When wearing a face covering you should:
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on
- avoid wearing on your neck or forehead
- avoid touching the part of the face covering in contact with your mouth and nose, as it could be contaminated with the virus
- change the face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it
- avoid taking it off and putting it back on a lot in quick succession (for example, when leaving and entering shops on a high street)
When removing a face covering:
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before removing
- only handle the straps, ties or clips
- do not give it to someone else to use
- if single-use, dispose of it carefully in a covered residual waste bin and do not recycle
- if reusable, place the face covering in a plastic bag that can be sealed, wash it in line with manufacturer’s instructions at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser once removed
Many thanks for your continued support. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.
The Windy Nook Team.
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