Oldham schools ready to roll out Covid safety measures including face masks amid Omicron wave

The leap in national Covid-19 cases has led government agency, the Department for Education, to tell schools that pupils need to wear face coverings.

Secondary schools in England are also being asked to offer on-site Covid testing as youngsters return after the Christmas holidays.

The government wants students aged from 11 to 16 to have lateral flow tests (LFT) ahead of the new term as well in a bid to keep schools open as the dominant Omicron variant wave continues to cause disruption.

A letter from the council, dated on New Year's Eve, was sent to schools ahead of the new term, in which the importance of students getting vaccinated is mentioned along with the requirement for pupils to have lateral flow tests before they return.

It said: "Our priority is to keep all students and staff safe and well, and ensure we are able to identify new cases at an early stage, including when people have no symptoms.

"Early identification will help us to prevent onward transmission and minimise our case rates in the borough.

"The evidence shows that the new Omicron variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant, so it's more important than ever that people get vaccinated and get their booster jab as soon as possible.

"Vaccinations are now available to anyone aged 12 or above.

"We are asking all pupils, their households and staff to take a lateral flow test before returning to school after the holidays.

"Secondary school pupils will be able to do this at school."

Head teacher of Blessed John Henry Newman RC College in Chadderton, Glyn Potts, said the college "remains extremely grateful to the considerable and sustained support of offices from the local authority".

Mr Potts said: "The council has been faced with the difficult task of balancing risk and insuring that young people have access to credible and efficient education.

"I welcome this letter and the information shared from highly regarded and professional colleagues and would ask parents to consider all that they can do to support schools during this difficult period.

"We know that some of the measures are contentious, such as the use of face covers for those eligible in classrooms.

"However, if it allows schools to remain open and is a time limited, evidence based decision, as I believe it is, then it is right and appropriate to do so.

"We are facing the challenge of balancing multiple risks, with the objective squarely being to make sure children can access education in school.

"We will continue to support and promote the opportunity of personal choice towards vaccination.

"We believe that this is a significant measure in limiting extreme illness in those affected by Covid.

"Additionally, we will continue to as far as reasonably practical, keep year groups apart including using separate entrances and separate social spaces.

"We welcome the introduction of face covers given the ease with which Omicron can spread in the community, but would ask that this is constantly kept under review so that we can return to normal teaching when covers or no longer needed.

"Sanitiser stations are at regular intervals across the college and we will be encouraging staff and students to continue to use them.

"We are blessed to have the support of the council in carrying out testing prior to our return and would continue to encourage staff and students to test throughout this period.

"We remain committed to discussing any concerns parents or students may have, knowing that many who have questions again over the impact of the virus.

"We like all schools are doing our best, we may not be perfect but we are committed to staying open and supporting our children."

Blessed John Henry Newman Roman Catholic College head teacher, Glyn Potts

Head teacher at The Radclyffe School in Chadderton, John Cregg, is looking forward to the new term and preparations are in place for students' return.

He said: “We are pleased to welcome students back to school.

"Testing will take place in school later this week, but we are also providing LFTs for students to test themselves regularly at home.

“We are insisting that students wear a mask both in class and communal areas unless they are exempt.

"They can remove their masks when they are outside of the building at break and lunch times.

"I’m encouraged to see how much the students understand the importance of wearing masks to keep each other safe and reduce the spread of the virus.

"We are fortunate to have a building that can be well ventilated at all times.”

The Radclyffe School, head teacher John Cregg

A spokesperson for The Blue Coat School added: "All students were invited to take part in on site-testing on Tuesday prior to opening to all students this morning, Wednesday. Anyone who was not able to attend on site-testing is being urged to undertake a lateral flow test (LFT) before returning.

"Face coverings will be mandatory for all students indoors on their return.

"We are urging all students to come well equipped with their own masks but we will provide masks where necessary.

"It is essential that students complete two LFTs at home per week until further notice and we will continue to provide students with test kits.

"Students should not come into school if they test positive from an LFT and must isolate and book a PCR test.

"If the PCR test is positive, students should take an LFT on day six of their isolation period.

"If this and then a test on the subsequent day produces negative results, then they can return to school as normal if not displaying symptoms.

"If the test on day six returns a positive result, then LFTs should be taken until a negative result is returned, followed by another negative result on the subsequent day.

"Educational support and schoolwork will be provided via our learning platform for students who have to isolate.

"As ever, we will continue to follow our strict hygiene and safety protocols to protect students, staff and families and we will do everything we possibly can to keep the school operating as normally as possible."

The Blue Coat School on Egerton Street in Oldham (Picture: Google Maps)