Boris Johnson on a visit to a primary school in Stoke-on-Trent on Monday. The government has said primary pupils should not be asked to wear face coverings when they return next week. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/AFP/Getty Images Head teachers have called on the government to provide decisive guidance on face masks in secondary schools, saying that pupils could end up being excluded in disputes over face coverings. Just days before all pupils are due to return to schools in England, there is still widespread confusion over the issue, which threatens to bring headteachers into conflict with parents. On Tuesday, the government intervened to stop councils requiring children in primary schools in England to wear face masks when they return to school next week.