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?

I sincerely hope not!

I think that's true, but mostly I think that'll be a separate group of parents from the ones currently stressing about the potential for yet another childcare crisis next week.

It's really difficult. I see both sides. My employer is more flexible than many, but nonetheless they won't suck up my writing off 2+ working days next week with very little notice. Not after the two years we've just had. And I don't have as much energy and resilience to do childcare + work at once (or pull 18 hour days to fit it all in) again, after those two years. I know neither the pandemic nor the extreme heat wave can be helped, but it's still a really stressful position to be in - must be infinitely more so for parents with fiercer employers, or less flexible roles, than mine.

RaleighDurham
you cant look at the education factor as a separate entity, disconnected from the of society and how it functions. Of course school, primary at least, functions as childcare as well as education. If it shuts, can we also shut ICU, A&E, prisons, fire stations- or at least let all of the parents of primary school kids head home, thereby dismantling the service. Are you happy now?

I agree that schools implicitly have a childcare function, even if it's not their main purpose. Yes, it's important to remember that their main purpose is education, which means their decisions stem from what is best for children rather than what is most convenient for parents, but surely part of the whole setup of educating children collectively is that it also enables parents to work (which in turn helps fund the state education system, preferably more generously than is currently the case).

I don't agree that it's devaluing schools to acknowledge their childcare function. That only applies if you believe childcare is without merit.

So many things wrong with this.

DD's school have a theme park trip planned on Tuesday for 700 or so kids. I'm a little worried!
It was raining and cold round here today though, I was in tights and cardigan so I'll believe it when I see it.

Hate to break it to you but I am the school and a very large part of what we do is childcare. I know some teachers and some parents like to spout that line, but surely everyone had this argument put to bed during the pandemic, when it became completely evident that the country grinds to a halt without the childcare provided by schools.

For very many children, what is best for them is supporting their families and that is a big part of what schools do.

What sadists are still making teenagers wear blazers in the last week of school in this heat? It’s just pathetic really. Uniform is not that important.

I don’t think schools would or should close
on mass but there will be some that due to the nature of the site layout will struggle. Our school will be fine as it’s got lots of shady outdoor space. Inner city schools may well be a different prospect. My daughter’s nursery has been doing lots of water and ice play all week, giving the kids lollies and working really hard to keep the children well and happy. They’ve seemingly got a lot more freedom to adapt than the school does though.

@Bunnycat101

It's not hot enough in the U.K. for wearing blazers to be an issue.

The DCs's school allow removal at the teacher's discretion if a particular classroom is exceptionally warm, which is perfectly fair Imo.

Apparently local schools are in consultation with the County Council.
I suspect they'll shut. 37 degrees is not a usual temperature and that's what's being threatened round here.

I'm sure the government telling schools to make sure they ventilated well was very useful. I doubt any teacher would have thought of opening the windows and doors without that.

I wouldn’t have thought so. Hot weather in the summer isn’t going anywhere and we need to learn to live with it.

"when it became completely evident that the country grinds to a halt without the childcare provided by schools."
No it didn't. Only around 8% of the working population have children of (primary) school age, I believe. That leaves an awful lot of people able to continue working, although I bet many offices are allowing their staff to work from home if they don't have air con.

LockAqua I disagree. Even in my air conditioned office, people were not suited and booted this week. I literally see no need for a teenager to be in a blazer at school in these temperatures. And the whole waiting for a teacher to give permission just strikes me as rather archaic. Would it not be better for them to leave them at home, come in a shirt and not faff around with carrying around a blazer all day?

I remember hating my blazer in hot weather as a teenager. As an adult I’m yet to be persuaded of the benefits of a teenager wearing one in 30 degree heat.

And we'd cope just fine without 8% of the workforce?

I don’t think people appreciate or understand just how hot it will get in some parts of the country.
so many schools are old and not equipped for this.

Then they need to get the schools building programme back on track and invest in upgrading them!

I agree. People do not wear 100% polyester shitty blazers for work all day and have the choice of taking them off!

They do know they will be colouring in and watching DVDs…

If that is true (it's surprisingly low to me, but I'm happy to believe it), the conclusion that we can collectively absorb an 8% additional absence rate for half of next week only holds true if this 8% aren't concentrated in any particular sector, especially if it's a sector with existing resource challenges (health and social care, anyone?).

There's also a distribution of impacts to be considered here. My employer I'd currently preparing to reduce headcount by 20%, there are people (mostly mothers) who will worry about what yet more childcare-related absences next week will mean for them in that context.

The continued provision for key worker children was a powerful mitigating factor during the pandemic.

Only around 8% of the working population have children of (primary) school age, I believe. That leaves an awful lot of people able to continue working,

And quite a few of that 8% will have emergency childcare available, a parent working from home; or maybe another school mum could take their kid for the day. This isn't like covid when it was parents or nothing.

I don’t think people appreciate or understand just how hot it will get in some parts of the country

I think people DO understand.

I grew up in a country where we as teenagers cycled 5miles to school from our village. Then in the afternoon to the local lake for a much needed cool down... in 35- 38°C heat. And no it wasn't "pleasant abroad heat" it was and still is stifling hot deprived of oxygen standing heat! This usually lasts for weeks on end.

So, no to closing schools and yes to just get on with it!

I hope not, if they do the teacher should work extra to make up the lost days.
Why are schools allowed to shut but all other businesses and service entities remain staffed and open.
It does nothing to teach children about resilience, I don't ever remember my school shutting for snow or sun. We walked in 6 inches of snow in the winter's in the mid 80's.

Why would they "work extra?" If schools were to close, then those teachers would be working from home (like many of the rest of the working population), setting and receiving work remotely, as they did during Covid.

"Why are schools allowed to shut but all other businesses and service entities remain staffed and open."
You have got that back to front. Nowhere yet has it been said that schools WILL be "allowed to shut," whereas quite a few businesses have pledged to do so.

@dapsnotplimsolls DD’s state secondary has just sent a message out tonight saying they’ll be closed Mon and Tues to all but key worker or vulnerable children, with remote learning for everyone else.