Following news yesterday (19 October) that Essex County Council has asked for all pupils and adults to wear face masks when moving round schools, the principal of Maldon's Plume Academy has reassured parents, carers and students on the matter.

Executive Principal Carl Wakefield said: "Plume Academy brought in the compulsory wearing of face coverings five weeks ago and at the start of the time key measures started to show an upward trajectory. This was after discussions involving all of the academy's stakeholders; a key element of our practice throughout the lockdown period.

"From day one, students and staff alike have taken to the wearing of face coverings or visors on the corridors and moving between lessons exceptionally well, not that I ever doubted this would be the case. This also been how they have been on school buses and public transport too.

"Moving forward, we will keep a watching brief on the local and national scene, data and tiers and if deemed necessary, look to move to the bring in the wearing of face coverings in lessons, too. However, at present, we are not at such a point."

Mr Wakefield also spoke of his pride at how the school community at Plume has worked through this challenging time, adding: "I remain immensely proud as to how our students and staff have adapted to not only the wearing of face coverings but to all Covid-19 protocols we have had to put in place.

"These have included sanitising and washing of hands, following one way systems and remaining in their year group bubbles. The support of our parents and carers has remained immense throughout the pandemic period too and without this, quite simply we would not have successfully got to the point at which we're at as we near the end of the first half term of autumn."