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A short thread about face masks.
Some folk seem bemused by the reluctance of schools that operate ‘warm-strict’ behaviour policies to introduce compulsory face masks. I’m happy to explain (from my own perspective) why this is the case.
Some folk seem bemused by the reluctance of schools that operate ‘warm-strict’ behaviour policies to introduce compulsory face masks. I’m happy to explain (from my own perspective) why this is the case.
Leaders who run challenging schools introduce new ‘rules’ after much thought and debate. Each new rule has to be ‘taught’ to our pupils.
One of the most important questions we ask ourselves is, “How will we enforce this new rule fairly and consistently? What sanction will we apply for those pupils that break the rule?”
Some people don’t like to hear mention of ‘consequences’ or ‘sanctions’. However, don’t be fooled; if there is no sanction, the most challenging pupils will simply break the rule with impunity, and staff who try to uphold the rule will be undermined.
When we welcome our pupils back to school next week, they face a barrage of new ‘rules’ and routines. They will remain in one room for most of the day. At the end of each lesson they will be expected to wait sensibly in their room for the next teacher to arrive.
Pupils will have staggered break and lunchtimes with their year group, unable to socialise with friends from other year groups. Our fabulous extra-curricular programme will be severely restricted. Everyone will need time to adapt to the new ways.
If it becomes clear that our pupils need to wear face masks, we will introduce this requirement carefully. We will involve our student council in the debate. They like to lead the introduction of new rules in our school.
They will introduce class debates and then lead assemblies setting out the rationale for the new rule and the consequences for non-compliance.
So, rather than being ‘anti-mask’, I’m in favour of making sure that the compulsory wearing of masks is introduced properly and in a manner that guarantees that even the most difficult, wilful and challenging pupils comply. FIN
