Students at a Rutland college face possible exclusion if they breach social-distancing requirements.

The warning has been made in guidance Catmose College in Oakham has issued to parents and students.

It comes as children return back to school this week across England.

The guidance said: "The use of face coverings is now required for staff or students at the College whenever a 2m distance from other cannot be sustained this includes lessons."

It continued: "In addition, some staff and students need to wear PPE at all times because of their particular circumstances. Staff have been asked to continue to remain 2 m away from students which specifically mitigates the need for face coverings in class.

"There will be occasions when staff need to come closer that 2m, for example to support individual students, except in emergencies eg for first aid they will always seek permission from the student before doing so. In addition, they will wear a face covering and will request that students do the same."

Face coverings need not be worn outside, as long as the student can stay 2m away from others. Students are also expected to maintain their social bubbles and other aspects of social distancing and hygeine.

The college says it is following government advice on the issue but it will review its position should it change significantly.

In a related video (attached above) students are told that wearing masks is compulsory inside, unless eating.

If students refuse, they are potentially putting people's lives at risk. If they had a medical exemption to wearing facemasks they need to approach client services, who will undertake a risk assessment.

Principal Stuart Williams says those who won't wear face coverings can't go to normal lessons. Instead, they will be place in a classroom on their own with other students, maintaining social distancing, and they will get work and will be supervised in that room for the day.

The school guidance further commented: "In the first instance we will support them to understand why these rules are so important and ask them to correct their behaviour putting in place a risk assessment to support students to understand further our expectations.

"If however, they persist in breaking the rules (which will put others potentially at risk), then we will use sanctions including detaining them at the end of the day, isolating them from their peers and engaging with you their parents for support.

"If ultimately they will not comply, we will have no choice but to exclude students and, in exceptional cases, I will consider permanent exclusion as a last resort.

"We hope this will not be necessary and the usual calm but busy environment where staff and students work well together will continue to be the norm. "