A WORCESTER headteacher has asked his senior pupils to wear a face mask as they return to school next week.
Neil Morris, headteacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College, said he had always planned for his pupils to wear face masks because of the nature of the school, with its “narrow corridors and lots of people moving around.”
Pupils returning to the Malvern Road school on Wednesday will be asked to wear a face covering when walking through school corridors or communal areas.
Mr Morris said: “Our school has very narrow corridors and we want to give the kids as good experience as possible after these six months.
“In lessons, our preference is not to have face masks because you want to be able to see the children’s faces and there’s a lot of interaction.
“We have 1,400 kids coming back and a lot of people are anxious - teachers and students, so a face mask might reassure or make people feel better.
“A face mask to me is common sense. Because when we get to November it will be the season for colds. If we can stop people spreading the virus that is the way to go.”
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Mr Morris said he is concerned about face masks cleanliness and is concerned if the children will wash them.
He added: “I think sometimes you have to expect them to use them properly.
“We have children who have autism, children who are very vulnerable and those living with parents who are vulnerable.
“If wearing a face mask is a deal breaker between them coming back and staying home, we are not going to be worried about it. I think we have had a miserable six months.
“I had a conversation with someone about making them uniform. No – if they want to make a fashion statement, as long as they’re sensible and not political, then they can wear their face mask with pride.”
He said the school has spent over £40,000 trying to get everything Covid ready.
One-way systems will be in place to direct the flow of the traffic so people will be going down corridors in an “orderly fashion.”
As well as a face mask, he has asked the pupils to bring their own stationery, small bottle of hand sanitizer, a water bottle with their name on, tissues, fruit and snacks.
Gareth Doodes, headteacher at The King’s School also said his senior school pupils will have to wear face masks.
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