AIBU to say NO to sending my Child to School when there is no Electric?

[Kassy69]

Should my DD be allowed to still go to school when there is no heating or Electric?

Views/Opinions or experience if this has happened to your childs school.

[treaclesoda]

I sat my transfer test in P7 in a classroom in November with a SuperSer heater at the front because there was no heating or electricity due to industrial action. We wore our scarves and gloves and all thought it was great fun. She'll be fine.

[frikadela01]

I thought it was standard practice to shut school if the heating or electric packed in. it certainly was when I was at school.
It's completely unreasonable to expect children and the staff to be in school at this time of year if there is no heating. We have snow here this morning, deffo needing the heating on today.

[treaclesoda]

If you're too young to remember SuperSer heaters, they used a gas canister and burned a tiny flame and gave out very little heat.

[Seeline]

I think it will partly depend o nthe age of the child.

Primary school kids may find it hard to deal with no heating at this time of year. Lighting will be poor and I would query the provision of any school meals.

Secondary scholl kids may cope better with low temps, but probably depend more on electrical devices - interactive whiteboards, PCs/laptops etc. Again lack of light and food would be an issue.

I am surprised that the school is staying open, but if it is, it presumably thinks it can meet all the above requirements.

[Kassy69]

My DD is only 4 and I was expecting the school to close.

[treaclesoda]

Well, a four year old, maybe not.

If she was nine or ten I'd say it's no big deal as long as they get to wrap up warm.

[LittleMissUpset]

If she is 4 school isn't compulsory until age 5 anyway so I would keep her off.

[CwtchMeQuick]

I wouldn't be sending my child to school if there were no heating. Our local secondary shut for a day last week due to the same thing.

[Trifleorbust]

Depends how cold it is, I suppose.

[Kassy69]

That's what I thought Littlemissupset but school was quite pushy.

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

If the head teacher has assessed that it is safe I'd want a lot more info before second guessing his/her position.

Is there definitely no heating? Many schools have gas heating. And if no heating then what is the temperature in the class rooms? If it's warm enough then it's warm enough.

[Frequency]

YANBU.

There is no/inadequate heating where I work. After a six hour shift at this time of year I am in physical pain from the cold.

[harderandharder2breathe]

My secondary school tried to stay open with no electricity 15 years ago or so. It was horrible. Freezing cold and even then lots of teachers relied on electricity with overhead projectors. They cancelled morning break because even the good kids were just gonna walk out. We got sent home about 11

My sisters primary school was also affected and was closed from the get go

[HelenaJustina]

Hmmm, appropriately attired it wouldn't be awful today though hot meals at lunch might be an issue - depends if they cook with gas and if that is still available. Light would be more of an issue but I'd expect teachers to plan around that come 2/3pm

[Trifleorbust]

I'd expect teachers to plan around that come 2/3pm.

What would you suggest? 😂

[MrsJayy]

How were they going to organise lunches if there is no electric or heating? Weird they didnt close the school

[vanillavelvet]

I'm with Movingonup, surely the school will have assessed the situation. They have decided it's safe open as usual.

[scaryclown]

Well apart from this thread bringing back awful memories of how many crisp packets were stuffed behind electric heaters in very flammable 'temporary' huts, I don't think its ureasonable to not send, and I don't think its unreasonable to send.

Workplaces struggle legally without heating, but one off days seem to go ahead, and as long as she has good few layers with her and hat and good breakfast iit wont be too bad. the more pupils..the more warmth remember!

[SaucyJack]

I think that the school should offer parents the choice.

[Kassy69]

This happened on Wednesday and hot meals are made off site so I don't think that was an issue, but going to the toilet in the dark was an issue for my DD, she wet herself twice.

I just want to know where I stood really on refusing to send her if this happens again.

[LineyReborn]

So many things now need an electricity supply to work - gas boilers, phone systems, fire alarms, teaching aids - that I'm surprised the school thinks it can function.

[Trifleorbust]

Saucy: Why? It's either a suitable environment in the Head's opinion or it isn't. I don't see why a choice should be offered.

[witsender]

If it is just heating that is affected then fine, it isn't that cold. However fire alarms etc, lights?

[NonFatTofuttiRiceDreamsicle]

At four, I would keep her off.

[kilmuir]

Ask Ofsted.