AIBU to think school cricket in 37 degree heat is dangerous?

Also, American schools broke up a month ago - there is no school sport during the hottest parts of the year.

You’re not unreasonable at all. It’s too hot for cricket and for sports day.

Every school is doing its own thing and the differences are huge. I got three emails re weather and sports day from dc primary since Friday. They’ve postponed sports day first to end of this week, and now to next month - not great if you’re working even though one change of date would be understandable, twice is confusing and rushed. End of this week doesn’t look that bad…

We also got an email to say some after school clubs may be cancelled last minute, and people who wish to pick up their dc after lunch (1pm) can do so… I’m particularly annoyed by the early pick up part, as I’m sure the children staying till 3pm will feel it’s unfair and of course not all parents are available. Also means there will be zero learning, which also usually means worse behaviour… It sounds unnecessarily disruptive. Surely the blinds down and a fan makes the classroom as comfortable as being at home. I wish they tried to keep to routine as much as possible.

And this is from the ECB, about looking to play / train outside of 11am to 3pm on hot clear sunny days

@Worriedmummy1244 I agree with those who say they would have no qualms about being that mum.

It’s totally inappropriate and should be rescheduled or cancelled if that’s not possible.

Yes, cricket does not involve constant running about in the way that some other sports do; but there is activity and players would be outside in the hot sun all day. Against specific govt advice.

Just as a similar example, I officiate at athletics which I love; a few years ago I was at an event in similar temps (also forecast) and yes, it was unbearably hot. I was on the track all day. I did not run around, I walked. The athletes (many in younger age groups) were running though. We were literally throwing water over them in some races. It was utterly unpleasant and not appropriate. It should have been cancelled.

Yes people would have been disappointed but that’s not the priority; H&S is. We were in the hot sun from 10am to 4pm with no possibility of a break. I complained and was met with “we followed govt guidelines” [no you didn’t; people were active in the hot sun between 11am and 3pm] and “you should have taken a break” [it was not possible or scheduled].

I won’t attend an event again if those temps are forecast (so if I was officiating on Wednesday, say, I would be emailing to say I’m not coming). You need to protest OP for the sake of the players and also the officials!

This is from an Australian junior cricket organisation website. Games are cancelled over 36deg and can be cancelled / modified over 34deg

For all those saying it’s fine and it’s just summer, the human body runs at around 37 degrees. As soon as the air temperature exceeds that, the body starts to struggle to keep itself cool, even without doing physical exercise. It’s not safe. Temperatures in the late 30s, in blazing sun, are very different from the late 20s or early 30s. I’m hoping our DofE and sports fixtures are going to be cancelled, or at least changed to a cooler time of day.

I live in Southetn Spain
Absolutely a sporting match for children would not go ahead in 37 degree heat.
Schools close by 1:30pm
Summer holidays start next week

I’m afraid it does! In Australia, the schools close if it gets too hot

I’d be surprised if they do carry on with sports day now there is a red warning. I do think the day needs to be modified a bit when it’s this hot and sport outside at lunchtime isn’t really that sensible for small kids in 36-38 degree heat. I’m hoping our sports day is amended. It’s 3 hours wandering around a field in the heat with no shade which I’m not looking forward to and I don’t have to actually do any sport. The probably is we’re not very good at adapting to different times. 8am was lovely this morning as was 9pm last night. I’m expecting 12-3 to be horrid every day this week.

School sport is often moved in side in parts of America I know. My relatives have their “soccer” fixtures in the air conditioned hall when it’s very hot outside. So let’s not say that all hot places just get on with it in the heat when they don’t.

There's a reason Noel Coward came up with the line "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun".
It's foolish at best, and dangerous at worst. Heat stroke is a thing, and why a school would actively encourage children to suffer that is beyond me - and probably beyond negligent too.

It actually does. Have you heard of siestas?! In many warmer European countries they cease all activities for 2-3 hours around midday.

Famously, in hot countries they have kids running around outside at 2pm, right?

Many hot countries’ schools break off for summer holidays end of May (younger children), middle/ end of June (oldest).

Youngest grandchilds sports day and picnic was cancelled because of rain. Just been told now booked for 13th July! What's the chances?

No life in hot countries is planned around avoiding strenuous activities in the heat of the day.
What a silly comment.

Do you have a class WhatsApp group? I guarantee that you’re not the only parent who thought WTF when you got that letter.
I’d have no qualms being “that mum” in this situation, though. It is insane.

To be honest, cricket, assuming they wear proper whites and hats, would not be too bad. The kit is specifically designed to be cooling in direct sunlight. And of course most of the time you're not actually really doing anything that is particularly demanding of the cardiovascular system.

Normally I'd be against cancelling stuff just due to a bit of weather, but 37°c is extreme. YANBU they'd be foolish to make kids exercise in that kind of heat.

Life doesn't stop in hot countries

In many hot countries such as those in south america and asia (and others I can't think of right now) school starts at 6.30am.

Come lunchtime, life stops. Nobody plays sport in the middle of the day.
Shops shut.

It literally does from about 1pm till about 3pm in Spain and Italy- it's a nightmare trying to shop/get anything done plus the Italian schools have the whole summer period off from June to mid Sept, whereas spain stop end of June to mid sept. Anywhere outside Europe (us, middle east etc) air con everything to 16 degrees and stay indoors/in cars. If anything we are seen as cavalier about heat/hot weather here "only mad dogs and English men go out in midday heat". We live in a tourist area and rent out our guest rooms, the amount of Americans bemoaning the heat and lack of air con is incredible despite nobody in the UK having it or us advertising it.

Our prep school cancelled all after school sports clubs and all fixtures and they're going in tie less and blazerless (shocking scenes!!) - this is for the whole week.

When was the last time you travelled outside the Uk in summer @PollyBell ?

It’ll be cancelled today @Worriedmummy1244
i can guarantee it

Er... Siesta anyone? What an uninformed comment! Never visited Spain I guess?