ANOTHER Herefordshire school is going against Government advice to ditch masks because a "significant" number of staff and pupils are testing positive for Covid.

This week, Wigmore High School said it would be asking students to wear face coverings in communal areas of the school due to the number of cases, despite the Government telling pupils they don't need to wear them.

And now The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School in Tupsley has taken a similar stance due to the number of people getting positive results on lateral flow tests.

RELATED NEWS:

Martin Henton, headteacher at the school which has around 1,000 pupils, said in a letter to parents on Wednesday: "As a school, this week we are currently experiencing significantly increased absence from both students and staff after reporting positive LFT test results.

"In order to keep all our school community safe and to maintain a full learning provision for all year groups, we have taken the decision to retain the wearing of face masks in communal areas.

Thanking parents for their support in keeping the school safe, he added: "This will be reviewed on a weekly basis and parents/carers will be kept informed of any changes to our decision."

A Government spokesperson said Prime Minister Boris Johnson "believes it is vital that children are receiving face-to-face education and can enjoy a normal experience in the classroom".

OTHER NEWS:

And as well as Mr Johnson's comments about masks in schools, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said last week that he would personally vet plans any plans to reintroduce masks in schools.

He said it was needed "so that we can assess evidence and data to ensure any extra measures are proportionate".

Latest data from the Government showed coronavirus cases in Herefordshire were rising.

In the seven days to January 22, 1,984 cases were reported in Herefordshire – 486 more than the week before.