Hartlepool school becomes latest to make face masks mandatory in communal areas

High Tunstall College of Science is bringing in the requirement for students from Monday, September 28 following the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the town.

The rule will apply to corridors and the open central ‘heart’ of the new school building, but not when eating.

In a letter to parents headteacher Mark Tilling said: “As a college, we continually review our practices and process and the use of facemasks in the College, which at the moment are a matter of personal choice, has been one we have considered in some detail.

"Unfortunately, the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise nationally and regionally; many areas are now subject to local restrictions and the announcements from the Prime Minister about further restrictions yesterday has led us to change our policy on the use of facemasks.

“Governors and I have decided to make the use of facemasks in communal areas mandatory for all staff and students”.

The Northern Education Trust, which Dyke House and Manor academies are part of, recently made the same decision.

The Trust is providing each student with three reusable face masks which they are required to use.

A number of Hartlepool schools including High Tunstall, Manor and English Martyrs, have seen cases of the virus leading to dozens of students self-isolating.

All five town secondary schools have also cancelled open evenings for parents of current Year 6 children planned for October.

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