Uppingham School is simplifying its policy over the wearing of masks. From Monday 21st September, the guidance to staff and pupils is that generally masks should be worn only in indoor settings, when social distancing is not possible.
The new guidance brings the School into line with current Government policy for face coverings, and aligns Uppingham with other local secondary schools, particularly Uppingham Community College, which starts its new term on Monday 21st September.
Earlier in the summer, during lockdown, the School published a wider policy document in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Keeping Uppingham Safe” spelled out what the School was doing to keep the community safe. Operational policies were refined during the summer break for the start of the autumn term, which included pupils and staff being asked to wear colour-coded masks outside, during lesson changeovers.
The School now accepts that while the instruction over colour-coded masks was intended to give the local community confidence that having the School return to the town was not an increased threat to public health - it has actually caused confusion in some quarters. The School believes the new guidance is easier to both comply with and understand as it aligns with national guidelines.
Pupils will continue to operate and live in “Pods/Bubbles”; however, Uppingham like all other schools in the UK is exempt from the Government’s ‘Rule of Six’ so pupils may be sometimes seen in larger groups.
Some pupils and staff may choose to continue to wear masks outside but that will be their free choice, and not a sign of infection.
Dr Richard Maloney, Headmaster, said “Uppingham School has placed the safety of its pupils, staff and the local community at the heart of its response to COVID-19. We have had to adapt, as has everyone else, to changes in policy from the Government and from the experiences of dealing with this new disruptive dynamic.
“We have consulted with all the authorities including Public Health England, Uppingham Town Council and local forums, local secondary education establishments and our own professional associations which are providing independent national guidance.
“Our policy on masks has been amended to allow for a greater understanding from the community as to what they can expect from the School. I’d like to thank all our pupils and staff for the discipline they have shown by complying with our mask wearing protocols and I look forward to everyone embracing the new, simpler policy.
We hope this clarification is welcomed by the local community, to whom we are grateful for their guidance and support.”
The Keeping Uppingham Safe flyer has been updated to reflect the change in policy.
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