Biddulph High School has returned to making mask wearing compulsory for students, weeks after the wearing of masks in schools was made optional around the country as as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

Previously, it was compulsory for children as young as 11 to wear masks in lessons and in corridors in schools around Biddulph and the rest of the country.

The mask wearing rule was brought in by Government as pupils returned to classrooms in March this year.

However, the rule has now been relaxed as part of the latest easing of lockdown on 17th May.

Despite this, Biddulph High School has now announced that masks will once again be mandatory in the school's social areas and corridors - although this time they will not be required in classrooms.

However, the schools says there is "there is a possibility" that masks may also be made compulsory in classrooms in the future.

The school explained that the decision was made to make masks compulsory again due to a rise in cases of the Indian variant (also known as the Delta variant), with "significant surges" in Leek and Cheshire schools.

A letter signed by the school's head teacher, Elizabeth Robinson, stated: "In addition to testing, we are re-introducing the wearing of masks in all social areas and corridors in the building.

"All students should bring two masks to school - one to wear and a spare. They should also bring a plastic bag (sandwich bag or similar) in which they can store a used mask.

"For now, the wearing of masks in the classroom or exam hall will remain at the discretion of the individual but there is a possibility that compulsory mask wearing may return."