Pupils face “mask apartheid” as parents are told that children who refuse to wear one will have to sit at the back of the class and will be banned from eating lunch with their friends.
Students who do not wear a face mask when they return to school next week have been warned that they will be physically segregated from their peers and even banned from certain activities, The Telegraph has learned.
A leading public health expert has accused schools of contravening children’s rights by effectively “coercing” them into wearing masks.
The Government has said that face masks should be worn in the classroom and anywhere indoors where it is impossible for secondary students to keep two metres apart.
Catmose College, Oakham School, Stamford Endowed Schools, The Deepings School and Malcolm Sargent Primary School express excitement for return to school
Pupils are set to return to the classroom for face-to-face lessons.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced in his roadmap on Monday that all pupils can return to classrooms from March 8.
There will be mass Covid-19 testing in all secondary schools with tests able to be completed at home following three initial results in school.
Catmose College Covid testing unit
Catmose College has already had a lateral flow test centre operating from the school during lockdown, which Stuart Williams, principal, says has put them in good stead for the full return.
Public swimming pool at Catmose Sports Centre, Oakham will not reopen after lockdown
| Updated: 10:33, 16 February 2021
The public swimming pool at Catmose Sports Centre in Oakham will remain closed after lockdown, following concerns about the structural safety of the building.
On January 12, Rutland County Councilâs cabinet gave its approval for a project to examine the future recreation, leisure and wellbeing needs of residents. Its aim is to support the recommissioning of leisure services in the county, with contracts for the ongoing management of Catmose Sports Centre due to expire in the next two years.
A review is also needed as the last full assessment of Rutlandâs wider sport and recreation provision was undertaken in 2015.
Catmose College in Oakham launches testing unit for pupils and staff Published: 06:00, 08 February 2021
A Covid-19 testing unit has been set up at a school to ensure pupils and staff can self-isolate quickly if necessary.
While the majority of pupils are engaged in online learning at home, most schools are remaining open for the children of key workers, as well as for pupils who are considered vulnerable.
To ensure the school learning environment is safe, Catmose College has launched a testing unit to identify if pupils or staff have coronavirus.
Catmose College Covid testing unit
More than 1,370 lateral flow tests - which deliver results within a few minutes of the test being taken - have been completed.