Dear Parent / Carer

 

As you will be aware from the Parent Guide shared in advance of our return to school this week, we had taken the decision that young people and staff were not required to wear face coverings in school.  This decision was based upon the latest Government guidelines and on local health information at that time.  Aware that information and guidance evolves often rapidly, we also acknowledged that our policy on face coverings would be kept under review and may be changed at short notice.  

Yesterday evening as school closed, we received communication from Deborah Myers, Head of Children and Young People, Education and Schools (East Riding of Yorkshire Council) and Andy Kingdom, Head of Public Health (Statutory Director of Public Health).  This communication stated that:

“Having reviewed the current regional and local situation and taking account of the most recent Public Health data, we are writing to strongly advise that with effect from Monday 14thSeptember, all staff in primary schools and all staff and pupils in secondary schools should wear face coverings at all times except when in the classroom or when eating and drinking. 

We would like to stress that this is a precautionary measure but one we feel is essential to adopt at this time”. 

As a consequence, I write to ask that from Monday 14th  September, young people bring a face covering to school and clear plastic bag in which to store the face covering when they are not wearing it. We recognise that some students have expressed that they wish to wear a face covering in classrooms and this will continue.

Can I also take this opportunity to request parents / carers remind all young people who travel on public transport that a face covering should also be worn on the journey to and from school.  

We recognise that some individuals will be exempt from wearing face coverings, if this is the case please contact the Pastoral Manager for your child’s year group.