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Original poster

If you're in a "RED ZONE" are you considering keeping your dc off school?

217 replies

SnBLurker · 15/07/2022 13:36

Hi,

Just that really. Our area is likely going to be in the high 30's, possibly 40 on Monday/Tuesday and I'm not sure what to do.

What are your thoughts?

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 15/07/2022 15:02

To answer op no it’ll be the same there to here

water play, shade, fans and air coolers and taking it easy

Crumpleton · 15/07/2022 15:03

Our local Orimary school is normal hours.
Secondary school will be closing at 12pm Monday/Tuesday... Guaranteed most of the kids will either be in the high street or local park. 🙄

Crumpleton · 15/07/2022 15:04

Jeez....my fingers are swollen.
Primary school...

Interested in this thread?

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General education
tiredanddangerous · 15/07/2022 15:06

Mine are going in. They are allowed to wear their pe kits but it's going to be sweltering in the classrooms.

NancyDrooo · 15/07/2022 15:08

Happytap · 15/07/2022 14:46

Why would you make your kids miss any more school after the last few years? It’s just a bit hot - what do you think is going to happen?

Well, there’s this, just a bit of death:

“The hot weather is being treated as a national emergency with contingency plans in place, Downing Street said. The level four alert means illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy and not just in high-risk groups"

I dunno. My kids will be going in PE kit per school instructions. I am going to work from home with my laptop in the fridge.

floweringpoppies · 15/07/2022 15:10

OhmygodDont · 15/07/2022 14:28

I expect my twos primary’s will be sensible with unicorns etc. My secondary have finally said no ties or blazers but he travels an hour on the bus each way and it’s often delayed in the afternoon so we shall see on the day and after checking the bus companies Twitter too.

@OhmygodDont I think we may all be seeing unicorns in this heat 🤣🤣

I don't get the fuss about primary uniform as at my school the summer dresses the girls wear are perfect and most boys are in shorts and polo shirt 🤷🏼‍♀️

OhIKnow · 15/07/2022 15:12

Don't assume your schools aren't addressing it, discussions are going on at Local Authority level at the moment and guidance is awaited in addition to plans being made within schools, you'll know when they know. Today is all Y6 leavers assemblies and sports days round here and senior staff are engaged with that on the ground.... its an unprecedented situation.

CoffeeWithCheese · 15/07/2022 15:14

OhmygodDont · 15/07/2022 14:28

I expect my twos primary’s will be sensible with unicorns etc. My secondary have finally said no ties or blazers but he travels an hour on the bus each way and it’s often delayed in the afternoon so we shall see on the day and after checking the bus companies Twitter too.

My kids would be insisting on going into school if they had unicorns!

Not sure what school plans are - but since they halted sports day a few weeks ago to move the kids across the field into the shade, and it's a victorian building with small windows, high ceilings and thick stone walls - it's probably cooler in school than at home and I trust the staff's judgement.

Would like them to relax uniform for the week but shall see what happens on that front - would rather send them in in something cool and loose fitting than school uniform with DD1 still obsessing with wearing bloody tights!

fairgame84 · 15/07/2022 15:15

No.
School have sent an email today to say they are providing bottled water, ice sticks and have air con. Uniform isn't required either. He'll be cooler at school than at home.

Transformatio · 15/07/2022 15:16

No, but they are allowed to wear PE kit and the school is closing early (12.30 pm) on Monday and Tuesday.

Echobelly · 15/07/2022 15:16

Not really... I mean it's uncomfortable but unless your child has a health condition that means it's hazardous for them it's not really an issue. I can see maybe with younger ones it's a worry because they're less able to regulate themselves in the heat and there could be heatstroke.

I have been out in that temperature on some holidays and while it was not fun for me and the kids (DH, bizarrely, seems to be fine in it) it didn't feel like we were in danger of collapse. Both kids' schools are taking precautions, including an option of leaving early if kids can be picked up, so I'm OK with those.

LadyDanburysCane · 15/07/2022 15:18

I work in a school in a red area. Our children will be wearing school uniform which is shorts and t shirt or summer dress anyway. I will be complying with the staff dress code so no shorts or scrappy tops. Children do have to wear proper shoes for health and safety reasons. Staff are not allowed to wear flip flops or sliders for similar reasons.

we will not be having PE lessons, children will be reminded to drink and use the shade when outside. We are a single storey school so all windows do open and we have blinds. The caretaker opens all the windows at around 5:30 to let warm air out and then closes the blinds around 8 to help stop more warm air building up. All rooms have fans and children have free access to water.

our Y6 children have various events happening next week and it’s a very busy time in a school office. I’d need to go in even if the school was instructed to close.

buggeringbuggery · 15/07/2022 15:19

DD's school has already announced it will be closed next week and moving to remote learning.

Bagpuss2022 · 15/07/2022 15:20

Yes I will be my DD 12 y7 we live less than. A 5 minute walk to her high school and they are being allowed to wear pe kit so a skirt and thin cotton polo

MarvelMrs · 15/07/2022 15:21

Seriously considering - yes. DC’s school have said no ties and blazers - how kind.🙄And please bring an extra water bottle, so twice the weight on the 1.5 mile walk to school.
They also said they can stay out the sun during breaks and my DS said this means they are all allowed in the sports hall and gymnasium. All 1500 of them - no thank you.
Definitely leaning towards not sending them.

Pandabuggle · 15/07/2022 15:23

@IsleofDen my 6yr old also has ASD and struggles hugely with the warmer weather. He's already been sent home once as he was ill and it causes his behaviour and concentration to decline rapidly.

We're not currently in the red zone but I think that's likely to be extended our way over the next day or so. School are currently saying 'pe kit, water bottle and sun cream'. I'm 6 months pregnant and spend an hour each morning and afternoon on school run. I was really ill after the 28 we had, 35+ is a no go. I don't drive and no one that could take or collect him either.

TheOrigRights · 15/07/2022 15:24

Hophop26 · 15/07/2022 14:37

Are you all not going to work then??? Can’t see many employers being impressed with staff phoning in saying they aren’t working as they have voluntarily taken their kids out of school for the day - both would be unauthorised absence. If it isn’t triggering schools needing to close due to risk assessments then children are going to school, just like any other day

Of course we are not all going to work. Some people you know....don't.

TheOrigRights · 15/07/2022 15:25

nb I am going to work though.

MarvelMrs · 15/07/2022 15:25

What I would like to see it them starting school at 8.30am as usual and finishing at 11.30am. 3hrs to do what they need too or have a couple of lessons or an end of term activity then home safely before it gets too hot to travel. The school only seem to be worried about what happens at the school not whilst travelling home in the heat.

Littlefucker · 15/07/2022 15:28

We’ve had no comms from the school but I wish they would close. It can’t be safe

Norachance · 15/07/2022 15:29

@ApplesandBunions
Thank you I hadn't seen that.
I work in a Medical Centre in central London with no air conditioning. We have huge fans everywhere. I'm even more concerned about my journey home in the hot afternoon with Confused potential tube delays etc.

Littlefucker · 15/07/2022 15:30

@Echobelly Not really... I mean it's uncomfortable but unless your child has a health condition that means it's hazardous for them it's not really an issue

that’s not actually true. The red alert warning states that there is a threat to life risk for fit and healthy people from the temperatures.

MarshaBradyo · 15/07/2022 15:30

Littlefucker · 15/07/2022 15:28

We’ve had no comms from the school but I wish they would close. It can’t be safe

Can you just keep your dc home?

ApplesandBunions · 15/07/2022 15:31

Norachance · 15/07/2022 15:29

@ApplesandBunions
Thank you I hadn't seen that.
I work in a Medical Centre in central London with no air conditioning. We have huge fans everywhere. I'm even more concerned about my journey home in the hot afternoon with Confused potential tube delays etc.

I'll bet. Will keep my fingers crossed for everyone having to travel.

Dontjudgeme101 · 15/07/2022 15:38

Swearwolf · 15/07/2022 13:48

Ours have just announced they are closing!

So has mine.