Education secretary Gavin Williamson has indicated that schools should not be insisting on masks as part of a school uniform.

He was responding to the issue being raised by Labour’s former education minister Kevin Brennan in Parliament.

Mr Williamson said that the department needed to ensure that the government’s guidance on masks is not developed by schools “in ways in which it should not be developed.”

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Guidance: Masks should be worn in communal areas of secondary schools in high-risk areas

This follows a government U-turn on whether masks should be worn in schools at all.

It has now said that pupils and staff in secondary school should wear masks in communal areas if the school is in an area with local Covid-19 restrictions in place.

And it said that secondary schools can choose that masks are required in school.

However, MPs have now voiced concern that this is being extended into a school’s uniform policy.

Mr Brennan asked the education secretary: “Has he heard any reports from schools about making face masks part of school uniform, including school uniform requirements about the type of face masks that are worn? While it is acceptable to require nothing inappropriate, surely it is unacceptable to require a safety measure such as this to be part of uniform.”

Mr Williamson replied: “He raises a very important point. I would be happy, if it is possible, for him to meet with the minister for school standards if he has particular details or concerns so that we can take them up.

“I am not aware of ​the situation that he outlines, but it is important to keep an eye across all of this. We have been very clear in our guidance that we have issued to schools, and we need to ensure that that guidance is properly considered by all schools but that people do not develop it in ways in which it should not be developed.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Education added: “Our priority is to get children back to school safely. We have consistently been guided by the latest scientific and medical advice, and we recently updated our guidance on face coverings following the statement from the World Health Organisation. 

“In local lockdown areas, children in Year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces and corridors.

“Outside of local lockdown areas, face coverings won’t be necessary in schools, though schools will have the flexibility to introduce this if they believe it is right in their specific circumstances.

“Face coverings should not be required in the classroom as they hinder communication and pupils’ education.”