Pupils caught 'joke' coughing could be sent home from school




Pupils who pretend to cough at UK schools  could be sent home when the new term starts this week. 

At least two schools have warned students they will be excluded if they cough or sneeze deliberately at someone else.

Jerome Scafe, an associate principal at Ark Alexandra Academy in Hastings, East Sussex, sent a letter to parents outlining ‘coronavirus red lines’ to prevent the spread of the infection.

He wrote: ‘The following behaviours may result in a fixed-term exclusion: deliberate or malicious coughs/sneezes at any point; humorous, inappropriate comments or statements related to the coronavirus; purposeful physical contact with any other person; repeated failure to follow instructions within an appropriate timeframe resulting in the student needing to be removed from lesson.’

Byron Academy in Acton, West London, has also banned ‘coughing deliberately on another person’.

The offence was previously deemed ‘anti-social’ but is now being viewed as ‘potentially extremely serious’.

The school said ‘parents should expect that their child may be excluded’ if they did not follow instructions.

Face coverings are mandatory for children in secondary schools that are in areas in England that are locked down. 

This does not include classrooms and does not apply to primary-aged pupils.

In all other parts of the country, it will be up to headteachers to decide whether masks are required.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland face coverings should be worn by staff and pupils when moving around secondary schools.

Wales has left it up to schools and councils to decide if pupils should wear face coverings.

While different schools will have different term start and end dates, many institutions are set to open on Thursday,

Comments