Ministers should not “rush into” removing face coverings from classrooms in England without careful consideration of the scientific evidence, the leaders of five education unions have said.

In a joint letter from the leaders of the National Education Union (NEU), NASUWT teaching union, NAHT school leaders’ union, GMB and Unison says there is a “strong scientific consensus” that face masks can and should be part of measures to suppress transmission of Covid-19.

Secondary school pupils are currently being advised to wear face coverings wherever social distancing cannot be maintained, including in the classroom.

But the government has said the measure will be reviewed at Easter.

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The letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson says: “It is important to state that none of us wants to see pupils or staff wearing face coverings for longer than is necessary. We all look forward to the day when this policy, along with many other mitigations currently in place, are no longer necessary.

“However, it is our shared view that the government should not rush into changing this policy at short notice without careful consideration of the scientific evidence surrounding the wearing of face coverings in schools.

“Clearly, the safety and wellbeing of all members of school communities and their families should remain our primary concern at this time.”

Last month, MPs heard that school leaders had received “threatening letters” from parents who did not want their children to wear face coverings.

But the letter from unions, which represent teachers, heads and school staff, says: “Our view is that the current evidence does not justify a change in policy on face coverings at the start of next term and we see little advantage in changing policy so soon.”

It adds: “We have also received feedback to suggest that a significant number of pupils, parents and staff have reported feeling safer as a result of wearing face coverings in schools.

“While this alone should obviously not determine the decision, we believe that confidence in school safety is a vital component in the sustainable return to school full reopening.”

A government spokesperson said: “We have committed to reviewing our face-covering guidance for schools over Easter.

“A decision will be made shortly, in partnership with health experts, about whether the evidence suggests these measures can continue into the summer term.”