It’s another one about heating in schools (sorry)

[Notcontent]

There was another thread on this topic, but it doesn’t really answer the questions I have - so apologies.

There has not been any communication from my DD’s school about this, but she has told me that apparently they will not have the heating on and the windows are open. It has only come up now as it was warm when they went back to school but now the temperatures have started to drop.

I have checked the school government guidance on this (the Covid guidance) and can’t find anything. Also, have other schools issued official communications/guidance to parents on this?

I know that lots of people thinks this is a non issue, but we all have a different genetic make up and some people feel the cold more and are prone to respiratory illness etc if sitting in the cold all day. Which is why I wonder what the “official” line is on this.

I think you’ll find in most schools the heating is never put on before 1st October regardless of the weather.

True but having closed doors and windows takes the edge off the worst of the cold.

I actually did work in an office where the people by the windows had to wear coats and fingerless gloves in the winter. It was an extension built by cowboy builders.

I'm getting a couple of meters of polar fleece delivered this week so I can knock out a load of fingerless glove/wrist warmers for DD that she can wear in class and still use a pencil 😀😂 as well as some neck muffs.

Already bough long sleeved polo shirts and thermal vests and she'll be wearing joggers instead of a pinny and tights this year so I can stick tights under her trousers when needed.

Best to phone the school and find out

I do know ventilation would be essential to help clear the air - bugs are rife in winter for a reason, so guess if it's the case then they're trying to help prevent transmission. It's a tricky balance I'd guess

We've had no official notification but it is very much the case in DTs primary. Last week was cold, they were wearing coats in class. Today not so cold but I have ordered some heat tech stuff for when winter hits.

To be honest the school was so hot and stuffy before I think this may almost be a better option. We monitor CO2 in meeting rooms at work that have no windows open and it only takes a small amount of time for hte oxygen level in a room to seriously deplete.

Which guidance are you looking at, the one dated 17th September mentions ventilation

Ventilation for classrooms is important

@Notcontent

Thanks. Interestingly the earlier government guidance mentioned ventilation, but this has been withdrawn, and the current guidance does not mention it!

She is already wearing a long sleeved thermal top but it will only get colder. Apparently the teachers have told them that the heating will not be put on even once it gets colder.

The DfE guidance still has this paragraph, under Estates:

Once the school is in operation, it is important to ensure good ventilation and maximising this wherever possible, for example, opening windows and propping open doors, as long as they are not fire doors, where safe to do so (bearing in mind safeguarding in particular). Advice on this can be found in Health and Safety Executive guidance on air conditioning and ventilation during the coronavirus outbreakak_.^

This is also emphasised under music lessons, PE and a child with symptoms awaiting collection by parents.

I can imagine it could just become unworkable in properly cold weather. It’s hard to write with gloves on, and you’d still get very cold fingers in fingerless gloves.

Rooms full of children sitting trying to write in winter coats, hats and gloves are just not going to learn very much.

DS’s school told them to bring extra jumpers. He’s already complaining it’s cold at school.

There is no law about temperature in schools, sadly.

Thanks for the guidance link!

This will all end badly, just like every Covid 19 related policy.

You'll need to check with the school, our risk assessment is very clear that all windows must be open. We raised merry hell with the authority to have the heating put on a couple of weeks ago (Scotland and in a very cold old Victorian building). We've also got portable heaters (2 or 3 per classroom) for when it gets colder.

They'd have to shut the schools. When the boiler breaks in winter we send the kids home until it's fixed.

It's all very well and good people buying thermals and usb powered heated vests but there will be kids whose parents either can't afford such measures or who don't care enough to enforce them. It'd be dangerous to have them sat for hours in low temperatures in just the basic uniform and coats.

My school (not UK) has put the heating on today but we're still supposed to have windows open - and principal said that under no circumstances are kids to be in coats 💁🏻‍♀️ So I don't know what the answer is. It's not cold today so it's ok but realistically I will have to close windows/doors when we get into winter.

Maybe I can have them all bring in fluffy dressing gowns, would love that myself

My kids school are introducing an extra fleece to worn on top of uniform. I sympathise as cold air affects my chest, and my son is also asthmatic but I don't see that closing windows is an option at the moment.

We have been told children can wear a sweatshirt over uniform. Has to be a certain colour.
No coats are allowed to be worn inside the school.
Big high school.
Twice a week all children have to attend school in pe kits. They have just allowed them to wear leggings or tracksuit bottoms.
Again, they have to be a certain colour, and a plain hoodie/ sweatshirt can be worn on top.
The school is a very open plan, modern new build.
Windows are open throughout the day.
Dds are saying it feels cold inside already.

Our school has said windows will be open so wear a jumper, my children aren't complaining too much yet. I have base layers for their football and will get some fingerless gloves but not too concerned if it keeps everyone safe. Will see how it goes once it happens. I suppose the alternative would be close the schools, and for my children even if it is cold they are benefiting from the teaching and the socialising.

Realise it is very different for those with health conditions impacted by cold.

Of course a window can be left marginally open to promote fresh air whilst simultaneously having the heating on.

It's a big brain deal for some people!
I always have my bedroom window open even a little all through winter and my radiators on.

There's no way I would ever have gone to school if I had to sit in temperatures like that. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Teacher here, we have to have our doors and windows open and the heating won't be on until nearly October half term. It was FREEZING in my room today and I was layered up. I was wfh this afternoon and it took ages for me to warm up. I feel really sorry for the kids because at least I can drink tea and move around. I'm looking for ways to have the door more shut than open (maybe prop it open just a crack) so we don't freeze but are following school rules. I'm sure most teachers will do the same but if parents don't complain the rules won't change so I'd say start moaning to head teachers.

All the secondary school students I see go all winter wearing what they wear in a summer heatwave. Polyester shirt and blazer, no jumpers, no coats. If fashion says no coats they will wear no coats even in a blizzard.
Most kids don’t feel the cold and it does no harm.

This could be interesting for DS1 who has sensory issues... will he crack and wear trousers and jumpers to school for the first time in years... he lives in shorts and polos all year.

He genuinely runs hot for a very long time, but on the rare occasions he actually does get cold, it's quite sudden and he doesn't recognise it...

Surely permitting own clothes to keep people as comfortable as possible is better than clinging on to uniform that's covered up with coats anyway.

On the hearing point, schools are often cold in the morning, but 30 bodies in a room does generate a lot of heat and most classrooms will need windows opening at least intermittently to stop the air getting disgustingly humid and sweaty.