Masks in Dorset classrooms welcomed to combat Covid spread

The temporary reintroduction of face coverings has been backed by Dorset officials as the education sector balances combating the spread of Covid-19 while delivering in-person education.

Masks had already been recommended in communal areas at schools but now they will have to be worn in class as well.

The moves come after it was warned the "next few days are crucial" in the fight to reduce the impact of the highly transmissible Omicron variant and staff shortages are feared across the sector.

Dorset Council Councillor Andrew Parry, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, said: “The advice from the government is that the recommendation is that face masks are worn in schools up to a period of the January 26 - at which point they will be reviewed.

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"Dorset Council will be doing their best to work with school leaders, who will be obviously seeking advice and reassurance on how they could implement that in a classroom environment.

“We're all very clear that it is imperative that we do everything we can to maintain classroom teaching environments for all pupils whilst at the same time trying to combat the effects of Covid-19.”

Ensuring students remain in the classrooms is key for their education and Cllr Parry says the evidence backs that up.

Cllr Parry added: “All the evidence is that we would want our children to remain in a school place setting, if at all possible.

“That is why the government has clearly decided that this action is required at this time.”

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi acknowledged the variant 'presents challenges,' but said the government is taking steps to 'bolster our support for schools' in an effort to minimise disruption when students return to their desks after the Christmas break.

Mr Zahawi has told headteachers to consider merging classes or sending groups of children home if the number of staff off work due to Covid reaches critical levels.

But he said it was key to keep children in the classroom as much as possible and to keep schools open due to the mental health impacts.

The National Education Union (NEU) in the south west said it was 'working to help ensure the health and safety of members, their families and schools as we continue to face the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic,' having previously called for masks to be reintroduced secondary school classrooms prior to the government changing the guidance.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said ministers should have acted sooner.

He said: "We are really pleased that the government is talking to us and trying to work out how to get some support into schools now.

"We're rather disappointed that we're having the conversations this side of Christmas when we could have been making these arrangements earlier on.”

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