https://www.google.com/amp/s/inews.co.uk/news/health/new-covid-rules-face-masks-in-secondary-schools-in-england-omicron-variant-1324012/amp
Looking at this there is without doubt some confusion.
One sentence says mandatory, the next says "strongly advised unless exempt"
Well that is frankly stupid. Either the law says you do, or not.
Don't get it.
In all fairness, if folk aren't mandated to, then it is a choice.
If they are, then having their own views becomes irrelevant.