Coronavirus: 'Late' U-turn on school face masks frustrates teachers

Teachers have criticised a government U-turn on wearing face masks in schools made just hours before they reopened.

It comes as schools in Leicestershire became the first in England to reopen after the coronavirus lockdown.

Head teacher Clare Darby said it "doesn't help" when guidance changes on the eve of welcoming pupils back.

Boris Johnson said the advice changed based on events in Scottish schools and blamed a "mutant algorithm" for recent exam results chaos.

The use of face coverings in schools had been opposed by the government right up until Tuesday night.

Visiting Castle Rock school in Coalville earlier, the prime minister said the abrupt change in policy was prompted by lessons learned in Scotland.

He said: "As they discovered in Scotland, where they've had the kids in for at least a couple of weeks now, what they found was that it was raining outside, people were coming in and they were congregating in the corridors and the move to face coverings they thought was sensible.

"What we are doing, following what the WHO [World Health Organisation] have said, is we are saying, if you are in a hot spot area where there is a higher risk of transmission then use face coverings outside the classroom.

"But not in the classrooms because that is clearly nonsensical - you can't teach with face coverings. You can't expect people to learn with face coverings."

He also acknowledged the problems surrounding A-level and GCSE results.

"I'm afraid your grades were almost derailed by a mutant algorithm," he told them. "I know how stressful that must have been for pupils up and down the country."

But shadow education secretary Kate Green said: "Responsibility for this shambles lies squarely with Downing Street and the Department for Education, who set out how they wanted the algorithm to work and were warned weeks in advance of issues, but repeatedly refused to address the problems they had created."

Schools across the UK closed on 20 March, except to children of key workers or vulnerable children. On 1 June, they began a limited reopening for early years pupils, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6.

In Leicestershire and Leicester, schools traditionally break up for summer a week earlier so have returned before the rest of the country.

In the city about 20 of more than 110 schools are reopening and about half of the county's more than 120 have also returned - though some only with selected year groups.

The rest are waiting until next week.

Clare Darby, head of Rawlins Academy in Quorn, said the late change over masks "doesn't help".

She said she only received a "returning to school" pack - containing information for parents - from the Department for Education on Tuesday, which she said "says it all".

Gillian Brady, assistant principal at the school, said: "They've said they've told schools well in advance, but in Leicestershire we were given little or no notice.

"They announced it at 10pm and we had the students back at 8:30 the next day.

"Leicestershire schools are facing a lot more challenges than elsewhere in the country."

Despite this, Ms Darby said the first day back at school had been a positive experience.

"Every school will be different but to other teachers set for reopening I'd say, you'll be tired by the end of the day but trust in your plans and you'll be fine," she said.

"The children will rise to the challenge - ultimately they want to come back and see familiar faces again.

"Right now I'm feeling peaceful and really chuffed and proud of my staff, it's been brilliant."

Emma Pattison, an art technician at the academy, said: "It's another U-turn by the government. Look at us, busting a gut to get everything ready.

"I wouldn't want to be part of the leadership team at the moment, they've got to make decisions and to interpret the last-minute instructions."

Leicester - which is still emerging from a local lockdown - has used marshals and temporary street closures, to encourage walking or cycling to school.

Marshals are on hand at Leicester schools to take care of any potential crowding problems outside.

The city council said it has also stencilled social distancing reminders on pavements.

Elly Cutkelvin, from the council, said: "Returning to the routine of school life after such a long time away is quite a significant milestone for many families, and we want to ensure they get all the help they need to feel confident and safe in doing so."

Seven-year-old Verity at Orchard Community Primary School in Castle Donington said she liked home schooling but "my teachers is better at teaching than mummy".

She added: "I really like the system. I know I have to wash my hands a lot."

At Manor High School in Oadby staff are using virtual assemblies, staggered lunchtimes and a one-way system while pupils are kept within their year "bubbles".

It has overhauled its timetable, with pupils having one subject for the whole day, minimising the need for pupils to move around the school.

The pupils will need to wear fresh uniforms each day and clean their ties with a chemical spray.

"They've got hand sanitiser points and a one-way system which is really good," said Libby Manning, a Year 7 student.

Alison Smales, mother of Kaitlyn, 12, who goes to Rawlins, said: "I walked through the playground and you can feel the excitement. I'm excited for my daughter - she's been put off school for nearly five months.

"This is a step in the right direction, getting things back to normal."

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