A Kent secondary school which dished out detentions to pupils for wearing face masks in class has changed its stance after the story made national news.

On Friday, KentOnline was the first to report how youngsters at the Abbey School in Faversham were being punished for covering up in lessons to protect vulnerable relatives.

The school defended its position, describing face masks as a "barrier to learning".

But emails seen by KentOnline reveal it has now performed a U-turn on the issue and is allowing children to wear coverings in the classroom.

In a message to pupils on Saturday, it reiterated the Department for Education's stance that face masks have a "negative impact on teaching and learning".

But it added: "Based on both the current school infection rates and the doubling of the incidence of the Omicron variant nationally in the last two days, from Monday, December 6, you may choose to wear face coverings in the classroom."

Abbey School parent Karly May, 32, told KentOnline last week that her son had chosen to wear a face mask to protect a terminally-ill grandparent and his nine-year-old sister, who has chronic lung disease and a weak immune system.

Albie May, 15, had been put in isolation and given after-school detentions for covering up in class, which his mum says was causing him “unnecessary stress”.

"My son was quite anxious this morning that he was going to be singled out by his teachers because of the article," Ms May said.

"But I feel a lot happier now because he wanted to [wear it].

"As soon as he got the email through on Saturday, he was like, ‘Thank God for that’. But then he turned it around and said, ‘So we’ve had this all week for nothing’."

KentOnline readers overwhelmingly supported the pleas from pupils and parents for face masks to be allowed to be worn in classrooms.

A poll asked whether pupils should be allowed to wear face masks in class, with 95% of the more than 3,000 respondents voting 'yes'.

Our story also attracted support from a professor at Oxford University, who shared the article on Twitter to her 155,000 followers.

Professor of primary care Trisha Greenhalgh wrote: "Please someone find these amazing pupils. I’d like to invite them to lunch and tour at University of Oxford for showing scientific insight and moral courage. Heading for medicine?"

Elouise Gould, 33, said last week her daughter, Paige, had been put in 'reflection' – a room for pupils removed from lessons to work in isolation – three times last week for wearing a face mask in the classroom.

She branded the Abbey School “disgusting” for punishing the 13-year-old for wanting to protect herself and others.

"My daughter has had Covid three times,” Ms Gould said.

“She has a little brother on her dad's side and gave it to him.

“To protect ourselves and others she has worn her mask in class but she has been taken to reflection each time and has been put in detention.

“But then in reflection they have to wear a mask, which is ridiculous.”

Paige was also anxious she would pass Covid onto her mum, who has underlying health conditions.

The Abbey School has come in for much criticism in recent months.

In October it was forced to deny it had become like a "military school" after enforcing controversial new rules following a visit by "Britain's strictest head".

Barry Smith, whose disciplinary approach has sparked controversy, was deployed to the school in September.

It confirmed a number of rules had been introduced to enhance its “culture of politeness, courtesy and respect”.

These include talking in full sentences, projecting voices, sitting up straight and listening, remembering basic manners, greeting each other and asking if people are having a good day.