"Face masks have become so contentious, and the government knows this. Although there is clear evidence they are effective in preventing the transmission of disease, there are still those who strongly oppose using them in schools."
He said the government's equivocation had put school leaders in a difficult position, but that all schools, in the end, would "follow the evidence" while trying their best to make children comfortable.
Likewise for Michael Brewer at Thetford Grammar, where children will be wearing masks indoors and will be asked to bring in three usable coverings with them for each day.
Mr Brewer said that the school would work with any parents and pupils around mask-related concerns