Anyone think they’ll close schools next week?

[StroppyTop]

Heard someone today say schools might be ordered to close from Monday because of the heat. How likely do you think that is?

Our primary sent home all their school books today, this is usually done right at the end of the year (due to finish on Wed). I'm getting suspicious they may close

These parents wanting the school to close because it's hot, are they the same parents who moaned because schools closed when teachers were sick with Covid? They couldn't get childcare or take a day off work then, so why can they now?

Because it is not the same parents. You just made a totally false assumption there.

I really feel for schools as the DFE guidance did encourage staying open and then have a load of advice that is tbh difficult for schools without aircon in old Victorian buildings to follow.

The level of heat is going to be unprecedented in the U.K. - most of the models are predicting 38/39 in huge swathes of the country. Plus very very hot nights. Many old schools will be unbearable for children - who find it harder to regulate their temperatures than adults.

but yes lots of parents will still have to go into work.

No, the school I work in has sent reassuring emails to parents.
It'll be PE kit, hats, drinking lots, staying in the shade and encouraging kids to not run about etc.

I feel most sorry for the kitchen staff tbh! Ovens on all morning, wearing kitchen whites etc!

Nope doubt it. Ours finish lunchtime on Wednesday anyway

Neither my school nor my sons is closing (both primary). My classroom is like a sauna, big windows that don’t open much. We’re on a standard timetable too so normal work is planned until Friday lunchtime when we break up. I would be very surprised at schools closing.

DD's school has air conditioning. I think a few schools nearby have cancelled sports day next week which falls on Tuesday for some. Dd's is Tuesday. I'm hoping to go watch her and have a lot of suncream ready.

As far as I know they are opening.

Tuesday is DS' PE day anyway so I know he will be in lighter clothes and no tie.

They might relax the uniform on Monday a bit for those classes not doing PE.

Our local authority let nursery to close this Friday instead next week. Everyone is fuming. Me too.

They didn't close in all the other years when we've had 30+ temps in July so I doubt they will this year.

My DD's school has just emailed to say they are moving to remote learning next Monday and Tuesday, so they are closing, this is in Bucks.

I hope so. We had kids going home with heat stroke last week when it was 30C. I’m dreading Monday at 36C. Let alone the ill, elderly or pregnant staff.

It's not just hot though, it's a "risk to life" warning. Quite different from being "just hot"

Do people really think that "suncream" and "no blazers" is going to cut it? And do you think we don't already ply them with water and make them play in the shade.
The BBC London weather news have just forecast 39 degrees for next Tuesday.
30 fucking 9!!!!! And that's outside. Inside the flat-roofed, with few working blinds, no air con or even fans and 30 bodies in cramped classrooms all day, it's going to feel way hotter even than that.
Even in today's relatively cool weather, the kids were drooping like mad, heads on the desk, crying, grumpy, falling out with each other out of exhaustion. Absolutely NO work can be done.
Some of you have NO BLOODY IDEA.

Um, hate to break it to you, but school isn't childcare.

Sorry @dapsnotplimsolls you are wrong! DD is at secondary and it is going to be closed Monday and Tuesday (remote learning).

@CallmeAngelina - add the liberal spraying of Lynx, and that's it in a nutshell.

I think we might be. We have an upper school with old buildings and barely any air conditioned rooms. There will be remote learning set if so. I imagine we won’t find out until early Monday morning.

Blimey. How are the parents reacting?

I’d be surprised if they closed completely. It might be the case that some schools close early (like they do in most Mediterranean countries during the Summer months). Or that outdoors activités like sports or trips are cancelled.

The problem is that most of our new build schools are almost all huge glass fronted things with no work air con- frizzled like a fritter!

@buggeringbuggery - I really need to to pm me the name of the school so I can tell our head - I won't divulge my source!

We're finishing at lunchtime Monday and Tuesday with remote learning for the afternoon (2 periods). Break up Wednesday lunchtime. I believe all the schools in our MAT are doing the same.

Sounds sensible.
Whereabouts are you?

No. Our school has gone to no blazers/sweaters or ties. Canteen is serving ice lollies and slushies are break and lunch, and the kids are given a few minutes to refill water bottles at lesson changeovers.

The world doesn’t stop because it’s hot for a few days.

There is no plan to close my school.

No idea about if anything will happen after the cobra meeting.

I am going to melt ☹️

Surely it's the law that anything over 35 in the UK is emergency ice lollies and paddling pools?