Academy issues mandatory faces mask rule

GORSE Academies Trust brings forward mandatory face mask rule in secondary schools following parents’ concerns

The mandatory face mask rule has been brought forward at a group of Leeds secondary schools, including Boston Spa Academy, following guidance from Leeds City Council.

Parents raised concerns last Friday after they were told that face masks would not be compulsory at GORSE Academies Trust secondary schools until Monday October 5.

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Government guidelines state that secondary pupils and staff in local lockdown areas must wear face coverings in corridors, and that schools must implement the rule ‘quickly and clearly’ following a new local lockdown.

After the council published further guidance last weekend stating that face coverings must be worn in corridors and communal areas immediately, the trust has brought forward the new rule.

As of Tuesday, all students at Boston Spa Academy, Bruntcliffe Academy, The Farnley Academy, The Morley Academy and The Ruth Gorse Academy must wear face coverings.

The GORSE Academies Trust executive principle 11-16, Leanne Griffiths, said: “The GORSE Academies Trust made the decision to move to compulsory face coverings within secondary communal areas ahead of Leeds City Council’s decision to implement stricter lockdown measures.

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“The original date of Monday October 5 was to allow both parents and carers time to purchase two masks per child, as well as the delivery of a significant number of zip lock bags to each academy for students and staff to safely store their face covering when not in use.

“However, since our letter went out on Friday September 25, further guidance has been published over the weekend by Leeds City Council which has stipulated that face coverings must now be worn in corridors and communal areas.”

She added: “As of today (Monday September 28), should students have face coverings with them, they are being asked to wear them.

“Further communication is being sent out today to parents and carers to inform them that face coverings will become mandatory from September 29 in line with the new Government guidance published over the weekend.”