Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evidential basis is that mask wearing in classrooms reduces the risk of covid-19 infection transmission.

From 17 May 2021, in line with Step 3 of the roadmap, face coverings are no longer recommended for pupils and students in classrooms or communal areas in schools. Face coverings are also no longer recommended for staff in classrooms.

From Step 4, face coverings will no longer be advised for pupils, staff and visitors either in classrooms or in communal areas. Face coverings will also no longer be recommended to be worn on dedicated school or college transport. Ahead of Step 3, the Department worked closely with Public Health England (PHE) and the Cabinet Office to consider a range of evidence, balancing both the health and educational considerations. This included the latest public health advice and the most recent scientific evidence, such as the latest available education related data, the latest data analysis on case rates in secondary school age children, and the broader COVID-19 epidemiological position. This also included stakeholder intelligence from schools and further education colleges on their experiences of wearing face coverings in classrooms and any perceived impacts on teaching and communication.

When the policy on classrooms was introduced, it was an appropriate additional safety measure while rates of infection were high in the community, the school and college testing regime was in its early stages, and the vaccine programme was just starting to roll out with little evidence of its impact on transmission. Face coverings can have an impact on reducing transmission as part of a wider system of controls, and schools have done a great job in adapting to COVID-19 secure guidance.

However, the Department recognises that its policy on face coverings needs to be weighed against the disadvantages. This includes the negative impact on communication between teachers and pupils in the classroom, particularly for those with special educational needs, the effect on mental health, and the discomfort of wearing face coverings for prolonged periods in warmer weather.

The assessment against the four tests was informed by the latest scientific evidence. It sought a balance between the Government’s key social and economic priorities and the overriding goal to save lives and avoid another surge in infections that would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS. The removal of face coverings for all in the classroom and for students and pupils in communal areas at Step 3 was supported by PHE. As the four tests were met at Step 3, it was an appropriate time to remove the recommendation in schools and colleges as the balance of risks shifted.

Schools and colleges across the country continue to have robust protective measures in place, including regular weekly testing to break chains of transmission.

The Department is also taking additional measures in areas where there is a high prevalence of variants of concern. In enhanced response areas, directors of public health (DsPH) may work in partnership with schools and colleges to reinstate supervised on-site testing and to reintroduce face coverings advice for indoor communal areas including classrooms, subject to an assessment of the educational impact against public health benefit. DsPH may also decide to use these measures as part of specific outbreak management for a small number of schools and colleges, whether or not they are in an enhanced response area.

The policy on face coverings and the system of controls is kept under review and is informed by the latest scientific and medical advice from PHE. Further information on the use and effectiveness of face coverings can be found at: https://phe.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-retrieve-file.pl?id=9adedb17d5622f9cd7e42febcadb19ad and https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/963639/DfE_Evidence_summary_COVID-19_-_children__young_people_and_education_settings.pdf.