Face Coverings in School – September 2020

Face Coverings in School – September 2020

Face coverings at Ysgol Clywedog

At Ysgol Clywedog we have decided to expect staff and students to wear face coverings in certain areas. We feel it is appropriate as;

• The layout of parts of the school makes it difficult to stick to social distancing when moving around
• We are introducing this option, alongside the other protective measures put in place to ensure a safe return.

In summary:

• Staff and students should wear face coverings when moving around school, such as in corridors and communal areas (unless they’re exempt)
• Face coverings won’t  be necessary in classrooms, even if social distancing isn’t possible
• We will have a small supply of spares available for students who struggle to access them, or if theirs have become unsafe to wear. We will not turn students away if they don’t have them, but they will be expected to wear them
• We will make sure staff and students receive clear instructions on how to put on, remove, store and dispose of them
• 7.9.20 Addition: If the whole class agree, they will wear their mask for 5 minutes during a lesson to allow teachers to move around the classroom to check work.

Face coverings parent factsheet

How to put on a face covering safely:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tv2BVN_WTk  (W.H.O.)

Welsh Government FAQs regarding face coverings:

https://gov.wales/face-coverings-frequently-asked-questions

People who are exempt from wearing a face covering:

• Children under the age of 11
• Shop staff and public transport operators in the course of their work (more below)
• Police or PCSOs in the course of their work
• Emergency responders in the course of their work
• “Any other person providing services in the relevant place under arrangements made with the person responsible for a relevant place”
• People with breathing difficulties and other respiratory conditions.
• People with conditions affecting their dexterity, meaning they are not able to put on a face covering.
• People with mental health conditions such as anxiety or panic disorders.
• People with other non-visible disabilities such as autism.
• People with cognitive impairments, including dementia, who may not understand or remember the need to wear a face covering.
• People with visual impairments, with a restricted field of vision, particularly if any residual vision is at the lower edge of the normal field of view.
• People with impairments which would make it difficult to put on or take off a face covering safely, accurately, consistently or without pain
• Anyone else with justifiable reason not listed above on the grounds of health or disability.

It is not necessary for a person who is exempt to request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face mask. Please inform the school if your child is exempt via mailbox@clywedog.wrexham.sch.uk

Asthma UK has said most people with the condition are able to wear a mask, adding that the coverings do not reduce a person’s oxygen supply.

However, they added if it makes the asthmatic person feel breathless then they should take it off.