PUPILS at a senior school will have to wear face masks when they return to the classroom next week.

All pupils and staff at the King’s School Worcester will need to wear a face mask when entering the school, walking around it and leaving, which the school says is necessary to protect everyone from coronavirus.

The pupils will be able to remove the masks in lessons or when they are with year group bubbles. The masks will be required for pupils in year 7 and above - aged 11 upwards - but younger children at King's junior schools won't have to wear masks.

The school's decision comes as debate raged over whether the wearing of face masks in schools was necessary or not.

The government initially said that it was not required for schoolchildren to wear masks - but Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted yesterday that could change.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have issued guidance saying children over the age of 12 should wear masks, as should teachers if they cannot guarantee being one-metre apart from others.

But the Department for Education guidance for school openings in England says that face coverings are not needed where pupils and staff are mixing in consistent groups.

Pupils in Scotland have already been told they will have to wear masks in communal areas and in-between lessons from next Monday.

King's headteacher Gareth Doodes said the measure was necessary to protect pupils and staff and to reassure parents.

He said: “This has to be the only way schools can reopen with trust, enabling us to protect staff and safeguard pupils.”

He added: “When senior school pupils return next week they will experience several new safety measures. We have introduced increasing hygiene provision with handwashing and sanitisation stations, will be locating marquees around the site to enable year group bubbles, and have asked all pupils and staff to wear masks when coming in, walking around, and leaving the school.

"We believe that this is a really important measure to protect pupils, and protect our staff, some of whom are at a higher risk of complications should they become ill with COVID. We’ve also enlisted the help of a top child psychologist to support pupils in their transition back to school."

Mr Doodes added: “Everyone at King’s is excited to be welcoming our 1,300 children back to our three schools. I am delighted to say, that after much planning and re-drafting, we have determined specific arrangements which will enable us to continue to offer provision necessary to be safe and adhere to guidance. Similar to the Government, we have developed a series of principles and Response Levels, which will be in place across all our schools. This provides parents with information on measures which will need to be adopted if and when the situation changes.

"Keeping communication clear and providing timely updates to parents and pupils is vital at this time.

“Many pupils will be nervous about returning to school, as will many staff. The King’s family is about looking out for, and after, each other, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing in the challenging weeks and months ahead.”

We asked other secondary schools across Worcester if they would be asking pupils to wear masks - but none were available to comment.

We also asked readers if they thought secondary schoolchildren should wear a face mask when they return to the classroom – and there was a mixed response.

Emma Haynes said: “I have two vulnerable children going back next week. Ultimately, they can't just stay at home indefinitely, but I'd be happier knowing all possible precautions are being taken.”

Shelly Smith said: “Yes they should. I have two at school, one who is disabled and I prefer them to both wear them.”

Mandy Henman said: “Yes, I think all children should wear masks, when and where possible. Any protection is better than none. COVID 19 is Russian roulette it takes anyone at any age. Yes, children have better odds, but one child loss is too many.”

Natalie Peel said: “No I don’t. Why should children be made to wear them all day at school when you can sit all day in the pub without one.”

Rob Moore added: “Nope. The whole mask saga is only designed to give confidence to people who otherwise would be too scared to go out and spend money. If they made a difference, then they would have been mandatory from the start of the year.”

Philip Lecount said: “In the classroom, no. If other distancing and hygiene measures are in place it can impact on collaborative learning. I think on transport, yes and in areas between class although this will be a monumental task.”

There are already rules in place for people over the age of 11 in England to wear face masks when they are in any indoor setting where they “might come into contact with people they do not normally see”.

This includes public transport, shops, cinemas, museums, galleries and places of worship.