PUPILS at Queen Anne High School who often forget to wear a face-covering can expect a "more robust approach" to deal with them after the October holidays.

Rector Ruth McFarlane has reminded her students that, unless medically exempt, wearing a face-covering is not optional.

In her weekly bulletin to pupils, families and staff, she said: "All young people unable to wear a covering now have an exemption pass.

"All other young people are expected to bring their own face-covering to school and to wear it in corridors and communal spaces.

"Since the introduction of this measure, we have taken a supportive approach and have tried to promote understanding of why this is important.

"We have allocated all pupils without a covering with several.

"After the October holiday, we will be taking a more robust approach to those regularly forgetting their face-covering.

"This is an essential part of school safety dress/equipment to minimise transmission in the building and is not optional.

"Thank you for your ongoing support with this."

Ms McFarlane held a question-and-answer session with senior pupils recently specifically on risk mitigation measures in an effort to increase the understanding of why certain measures were in place, even though it may make the school experience a lot different than before.

She highlighted that staff members were now wearing thermals as a result of wider ventilation across the school, and Ms McFarlane encouraged pupils to do the same.

She stated: "The evidence continues to be very clear that natural ventilation significantly reduces the risk of transmission.

"For this reason, we have our GPTs (Guidance Principal Teachers) and DHTs (Deputy Head Teachers) meeting parents/carers and partner agencies outside at the picnic tables at the front of the building.

"Young people are also required to be outside when it’s dry at interval and lunchtime. Classroom and corridor windows continue to be open.

"All these situations mean that the building is cooler and when outside in October, it is important to dress appropriately.

"Staff are wearing thermals as well as layers of clothes. Pupils should do the same.

"We appreciate everyone’s support with this and we all need to remember why we are doing it."

The school's captains have also been busy making the voice of Queen Anne HS heard to Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

Angus Baxter and Andrew Savage joined Mr Swinney via a Zoom call to present their views on the future of SQA exams.

Ms McFarlane added: "Their advice to Mr Swinney was that whatever decision was reached by the Scottish Government, clear communication was very important to all involved.

"Queen Anne High School actively encourages pupil participation and pupil voice.

"This was a welcome opportunity at a national level for our captains to represent young people in QAHS and engage in a conversation on what is undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions affecting Scottish education."