14th May 2021

Face Coverings in schools

Dear Parent/Carer

As you will be aware, the Government has recently announced that as part of the next phase of moving out of lockdown, face coverings would no longer be required for pupils in classrooms and communal areas. This is in response to the national decline in infection rates.

However, we have received notification from the Local Authority which stipulates:

After taking advice from colleagues in Public Health and given the situation in Kirklees we are recommending locally that our Head Teachers retain face coverings for students and staff in the classroom until rates are lower locally and the vaccination programme has progressed further. We will continue to provide regular updates on rates and any other local factors (such as new variants), and will let you know if this recommendation changes.

Consequently, we ask that all pupils and staff continue with the current measures of wearing a face covering whilst in the school building. We understand that some pupils may be disappointed, but hope that families understand the importance of following the advice of the health professionals in order to keep our children and staff safe.

We will keep parents/carers informed as we receive further information.

Kind regards

Mrs N Greenough

CEO, The Mast Academy Trust