A schoolgirl is suing her school for ‘requiring’ pupils to wear face masks, which she claims ‘risks causing children serious harm’ to their physical and mental health. The 12-year-old, known only as AB, is taking legal action against the Tapton Academy School Trust, which runs a number of primary and secondary schools in the Sheffield area. The pupil, who has been exempted from wearing a mask at school, says it could lead to ‘long-term’ harm. But the trust argues that it only encourages the wearing of masks, in line with Government guidance, in order to protect children, staff and visitors.
The trust also says that 120 members of staff across its various schools have contracted coronavirus since the end of August 2020. That represents more than 10% of its total staff At a remote hearing on Friday, AB’s lawyers asked the High Court to grant an interim injunction preventing her school and the trust from making children wear masks. Francis Hoar, representing AB, told the court: ‘The school’s policy risks causing children serious harm to their physical health and their mental health.’
Read more: Girl, 12, sues Sheffield school for ‘requiring’ pupils to wear masks
