Students at Biddulph High School have been asked to wear face masks between lessons upon returning after the summer holidays next month.

The masks have been recommended as a means of minimising "the risk of cross-year group contamination" as students head back to school.

Wearing a mask will not be mandatory, but the recommendation has been made amid "significant changes" to the school's regular operations as the Coronavirus pandemic continues.

In a letter to students and parents, the school's headteacher Simon Ascroft said: "While the current guidance does not stipulate the need for face masks to be worn within schools, we would recommend that you provide your child with a mask that can be worn in the corridors between lessons, so as to minimise the risk of cross-year group contamination when the small number of shared specialist rooms are in use.

"There will be significant changes to how the school operates and more than ever, there will be an emphasis placed upon the behaviour of students around the site. The central focus of all planning will be the health, safety and well-being of all students and staff.

"We continue to work closely with our colleagues across the Biddulph Partnership Trust to ensure as coordinated an approach as possible from all schools across the Biddulph area."

The return to school dates have also been altered for different year groups, with Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 and the Sixth Form being kept in group 'bubbles'.

There will be year group specific teaching rooms, social areas and toilet facilities.

Year 9 students will begin an induction day on Wednesday, 2nd September, followed by Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 on 3rd September, and Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, and Year 13 on 4th September.

Finally students in Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, and Year 13 will begin their regular subject teaching from Monday, 7th September.

Mr Ascroft continued: "We have worked hard since the end of the school term in July to ensure that the site is ready to accept our students back into school in September.

"It is so important that we get our students back into school and learning again in the classrooms.

"To ensure that we are able to do this it is vital that all students follow the rules that are in place to support them and keep them safe.

"Likewise, it is fundamental that parents and carers support us as we adapt our operations to ensure on-site education for all students. Thank you in advance for your support."

He added: "September should bring with it a chance to get back to what we really want in school, that is a focus on learning and helping to develop the skills and knowledge of all of our students so that they can progress and achieve something new every day.

"We will look after them and together as a community we can be successful."