Anyone else's school shutting this week?

[HiZev]

We just had an email saying they're shutting at lunchtime on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday because of the heat. Seems fairly sensible to me.

Red area here with temps of up to 35 degrees, so no doubt even hotter in the classrooms.

When I picked my youngest son up yesterday (he is 8) the chikdren coming out the classroom were so slow moving, red faced and sweaty, and they looked so tired and miserable. My son said the afternoon classes had been cancelled as it was simply too hot for anyone to focus so they’d just watched a film instead. The teacher looked very crestfallen ☹️

I have kept both my children home today and probably will tomorrow too as it’s going to be even hotter.

I’m very fortunate that I have the option to do that though. I feel for the families where this isn’t an easy option for them (or if it’s an impossible one), especially if schools close at short notice. I understand why it’s being done for the safety of the children and the teachers but it has profound knock-on effects to a lot of people.

I understand, but it just seems too late to really be of any help to the teachers/children.

I've kept mine off today, they really struggled yesterday

Like I said, I’m Australian and being cautious in the heat isn’t weak or pathetic, it’s sensible. This is hit by uk standards and the infrastructure isn’t designed for it. I think people dismissing reality might be full of self- congratulatory bravado but they are foolish. A pp has also reminded me that when temps were very hot when I was growing up we used to watch films in class too. Anyway.. we are in a red zone and I have just got back from an appointment. I saw a man walking a long haired Alsatian dog. Fucking moron. He was also being robustly challenged by passers-by too.

I wont be sending my youngest 2 tomorrow. One of them was sent home by lunchtime feeling sick and too hot. My eldest school has shut for 2 days yet they still expect the little ones in

I wont be sending my youngest 2 tomorrow. One of them was sent home by lunchtime feeling sick and too hot. My eldest school has shut for 2 days yet they still expect the little ones in

I am definitely not sending mine in tomorrow. The school has not said sports day is cancelled but FFS.

No words.

I am seriously seriously struggling today. I might be Australian but heat is different here. At home it's a dry heat and easier to handle. I hope our school's liability insurance covers a Sports Day When It's Fucking Stupid Idea clause.

Why?? Australia, Singapore, South Africa… Lots of countries close when it’s over certain temperature why are you so bothered by this?

We have been told we can collect at lunch time but the children will have to do remote learning if they go home. If they stay at school they will have the option to join in some water games in the shade and ice lollies so most are staying at school. Some areas are air conditioned and they’re making sure the children get access to those spaces as much as possible. I work in schools and every other school in our area is closed.

Are you sure on Singapore? I grew up there and never in my entire schooling life did a school close due to heat.
Would you have a source please? It may have changed since I became an adult. Just very interested!

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/ground-up/singapore-heat-students-school-fans-sunblock-breathable-uniforms-5159201

Not clear if there have been mass closures but seems to have been plans to. And a recognition that it makes it hard to learn.

I haven't lived there for a while, so my knowledge may be outdated, however, the article sounds like they have a 'heatwave response plan' but it's not been implemented yet. But also, the plan is first PE kits instead of full uniform, then minimised outdoor activities during the hottest hours, and then home-based learning, rather than total school closure.

But I agree, they have the recognition that it makes it hard to learn. I mean, I struggle to work, why would kids be any different.

Though growing up in Asia, the heat hits different here, it never felt that bad there,

I'm a bit confused about school finish time being exactly the 'heat of the day'?

The heat of the day is usually regarded as being 11-3, ie, when the sun is at it's hottest.

Makes sense for schools to adjust their timetables. Would probably also make sense for them to schedule in earlier lessons, ie, an 8am start in the summer term as we head full pelt into global warming.

How nice of @Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts to denigrate schools in the Independent today for following their local authorities' mandates to shut in the heatwave, calling it "hysteria". No, the hysteria was whipped up the media and their bloody '40 degree heat dome' headlines! As the partner of a teacher I once again find myself asking why I stay on MN when it repeatedly sticks the knife into teachers. Memo to Justine: schools are places of learning, not frickin' childcare!

I agree. There was a post earlier that said teachers were 'pedos' and I replied 'reported the t word' and my post was deleted. The other post stood longer until I reported it again questioning why my post was deleted.

FFS. That says it all really. MN treats teachers like pond life and the founder is now perpetuating it in a national newspaper.

Our local forecast has 4pm at 3 degrees higher than 1pm. Heat builds during the day for longer than you might think.

Ah, yes, I'm thinking of the time of the day when the sun is at its strongest. Quite right. My bad!

I still think the school day should be shifted forwards for Summer term though (and yes, I was a teacher).

Nope, just PE kit and of course lots of hydration.

As a child I wasn't even aware if it was that hot or cold because there wasn't the SM hype.

Now as a teacher it's a struggle, not due to our own discomfort (which is hard with a window that opens 2cm/pupils body spraying chemicals into our mouths/fans which waft warm air) but the attacking from students that they shouldn't be there.

Well, we all have to be here, fortunately you all are now more aware of hydration. It is however not ideal for all of us, especially teachers heavily pregnant/menopause.