Biddulph schools are making the wearing of masks optional for students as lockdown restrictions continue to ease around the country.

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 starting from today (Monday, 17th May).

Students will no longer have to wear masks in lessons or in communal areas such as corridors, although staff must continue to wear masks in situations where social distancing is not possible, including corridors and communal areas.

In a letter to parents Biddulph High School confirmed that wearing masks would now be optional, rather than compulsory.

The school's head teacher Mrs Robinson said: "From Monday 17th May masks will become optional for our students in all areas of the building.

"Students may still choose to wear a mask in class, and around the building, but this will no longer be enforced.

"We understand that many members of our community still feel vulnerable, or have vulnerable family members at home, and may choose to continue to wear their mask at all times.

"The school will continue to support this decision and will also be supporting our staff to do the same."

In a letter to parents, Woodhouse Academy principal Deborah Farr also confirmed that masks would be optional, sainyg: "Although we feel this is a positive step in returning to normality, we must make it clear that, for our students, social distancing, washing hands on entry, year group bubbles and the use of base rooms will stay the same until we hear differently."

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: "Virus transmission in schools continues to drop, with the latest data showing a significant decrease in students and staff testing positive and cases isolated quickly thanks to our twice-weekly rapid testing programme.

"Removing facemasks will hugely improve interactions between teachers and students, while all other school safety measures will remain in place to help keep the virus out of classrooms."

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