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.

No cancellations here yet but it's "only" forecast 34 at the moment.

We've been given the option to keep them home Tues, Wednesday, Thurs, collect them at 12.30, or collect them at 3.10.

@Lizzypet

I think schools should use common sense. If I was “in charge”

schools to remain open for key worker children only if temps go above 35. There should be no expectation that these children will have to

a) wear uniform
b) sit in the classroom

They could go into the larger hall for example. Have access to cold drinks and ice pops etc. No actual teaching timetable for these particular children. Just a day where staff and kids can get through it. Maybe paint outside in shade, or remain in the hall etc.

All other kids to remain at home.

Or, another wild idea. Install air con. Only put it on when it goes above 32 for example.

Is it a state or independent school, OP?

Its all very well saying retrofit schools with aircon. The DfE are not even building brand new schools with aircon and yet will approve building designs that have classrooms with almost ceiling to floor windows where only one window opens a crack. Make it make sense.

I just don't think we can expect schools to make health and safety calls based on the childcare issues it causes parents. People need a back up option for children being off school - I guess you manage when your kids are unwell? Or sometimes you presumably need to take emergency parental leave and appointments may get cancelled. Unless we want to ban healthcare workers from having children it's just part of life.

Alright Jackie Weaver!
It's high 20s today so not an issue, I'm talking about what I hope they'll suggest for tomorrow onwards.
Of course you can send your kids dressed however you like, but it's much easier for everyone if the school are the ones to let parents know what they expect.

It does seem a bit crazy to close a school because of the heat - life continues and the kids need to learn that surely?! My Primary school is taking pre-cautions, moving kids between air-conditioned rooms, keeping them inside lunchtime, adding water breaks and reminding them to drink x

Lunchtime closing on Tuesday Wednesday. DS is doing year 10 mocks which are being rescheduled for the morning only. Modern building but basically a greenhouse and forecast 39 where we are in East London.

Yay, another thread for people to froth about both sides of this! (Grabs popcorn, pulls up chair, and muses on the paradox that “the earth is burning to a crisp” so it’s too hot for school, yet people fly out to seek heat because February is too cold).

I'm on the west coast of France and schools here are closing in the afternoons for today and tomorrow. I'm fully expecting the afterschool club on Wednesday afternoon to be closed too (no school on a Wendesday afternoon here[. The school my son goes to isn't actually too bad because it is fairly recent and surrounded by trees but the city has made a blanket decision to close all of the schools so here we are.

The thermometer in my garden is currently reading 41°C and temperatures aren't expected to go below 25 until at least Thursday night. I think a trip to the beach for a swim will be in order this evening...

@HROSESATTERS

Well lucky you having some air conned rooms in primary, what sort of utopia is that??

You have air conditioned rooms though. So does our school so I’m hoping/assuming they won’t close.

But the vast majority of schools don't. And it’s forecast to be 39 here, so a room with south facing windows full of 30 kids, will be absolutely boiling by early afternoon.

Same area, but no, we’re not doing anything differently. We have some air con, but some of the units are very old!

My kids primary gave option of picking up after lunch all this week and kids can wear what they like all week to stay cool.

As the PP stated those things do happen, but adding another reason to not attend work is going to make matters worse.

I don't think schools need to close for health reasons, but it seems a shame for ds to be in school right now when we could be at the beach.

That's really crap for the teachers who might have to stay because there's always one parent won't pick up until usual time!

Most homes don't have 30 bodies in the same room. Also, at home it is easier to do things that will cool you down, like put your feet in a tub of water.

What is a shame is teaching him that school is only important if a better option is not around. Do you know how many countries would love an education system like the UK, teaching them life skills and education!

Well that would no doubt be the working parent in a zero contract job or working for an essential service! It’s not always that easy. Food on the table or child being hot? What choice would you make?

Not all schools have air conditioned rooms to move the kids between.

DD’s school has no air con. It’s a building that gets so warm you rarely need a jumper in winter. It’s like an oven. Their outside space has no shade.

DS’s school has air con in the hall and dining room only. The other rooms are not, have huge windows and no blinds or curtains. They also have several double classes - 50 kids, 2 teachers and 2 TA’s is a lot of body heat even in big rooms (the size of two classrooms).

Seeing as there is a red weather warning it makes sense for schools in those areas to close early and for people to work from home where possible. I understand that not everyone will be able to pick up their child early but it will be far easier for teachers to look after fewer children and keep them safe.

Is this with the expectation that the DC must/will go home and stay cool in their own homes.

Not shutting here but it’s a little cooler here in the north west. Sports Day is apparently still going ahead at our school on Wednesday though in a predicted 35C temp amber weather warning. 🙄