“They’ll survive” - children in schools deserve to actually learn

[noblegiraffe]

There have been so many responses to threads about the heat in schools of ‘we survived in 76, kids will be fine’.

It wasn’t even the hottest day yesterday and by mid-morning, very little learning was going on. Kids couldn’t concentrate, even A-level students were making silly mistakes and very, very little work was completed Everyone was extremely uncomfortable and it was more a test of endurance than a place of learning. My classroom was 28 degrees at 8:15am and only got hotter as the day progressed, despite me doing all the right stuff around blinds, windows, doors. The kids were in PE kits and had plenty of water, per government recommendations, but they were not well.

But they survived - so that’s all ok? That’s the best we can expect from schools? No learning and a lot of discomfort/actively feeling ill? And now schools are even having to close.

Bearing in mind that it was only just over 30 yesterday, and given the increasing global temperature, how many more hours of learning will be lost before ‘they survived’ isn’t accepted as the expectation for our kids in schools in the summer and something is actually done about it?

Whether that’s fitting air conditioning (hah), changing the timings of the school day to start earlier and finish earlier when the temperature rises, or changing the school year so the kids break up earlier and go back earlier, something should happen. The country cannot afford to lose all these learning hours and parents and children shouldn’t have to put up with this inadequacy in provision.

I honestly think parents should be given the option of at least collection after lunchtime. Im aware not everyone can collect their children, but for those who can go home, its less bodies in the classrooms.

Also, is this a compulsory water fight or are there alternatives for children who don't want to take part? How much supervision is required to ensure it doesn't become water-based victimisation, and/or an accident waiting to happen for some students?

This would be my idea of absolute hell if I were still at at school

I absolutely fucking hate water fights too. I would be stressed beyond belief to be expected to partake. I get furious when my children are having one 😂

Because they’re not doing 100% curriculum based learning for one or two days a year?
Even though there’s a lot of slack built into the state school year? Sports days, assemblies, plays, movie afternoons. Much of children’s learning is and should be done away from sitting at a desk with books.
You sound very narrow and uptight

England could swap to an American school schedule. Start in late August, end in early June. Shorter breaks at Christmas (2 weeks) and Easter (usually 1 week), and fewer of the endless half term holidays. Sorted.

I think the only realistic solution is to gradually shift the summer holidays earlier until schools go back early August. June/ July is almost always hotter than August.
Everything else is going to cost money and we all know there isn’t any that’s going to be spent on this.

Bullshit. This generation of young people went through covid. That took a lot from them. They are heading out into a world that is entirely fucked for them.

Any lack of resilience these days appears to be exhibited by the adults around them who lose their minds and the fact occasionally young people might have a day off school.

Is your husband self-employed or employed? Either way, is he not bothered about productivity or his own safety? Both are impaired with high indoor temperatures.

This week indoor temperatures could creep above the mid 30s. Anyone with heart issues, breathing problems, low blood pressure, pregnant, POTS etc should be taking serious measures.

It's not about moaning but about taking your work and your wellbeing seriously and being resilient enough to adapt your working practices to the circumstances.

It applies to us all, children and school staff included.

Yes, the lack of resilience shown by some of our tantrumming and me-railing adult posters when discussing this issue has been quite striking.

I did my O’Levels in the heat of 1976 and went to school on the tube. I survived 😆

Heat waves, while intense, are not long lasting in this country. Even as they become more frequent, they still are not long lasting. I grew up in a much hotter country without AC in school and (ducks) we survived! Not every hour of learning is meaningful learning, you know that @noblegiraffe

Let the kids have a break and a water fight/ ice lolly/ lesson outdoors in the shade. It's not wasted time, and parents won't mind

As a former secondary teacher myself, I get that. But I do think allowing some flexibility around curriculum and this zealotry around “learning” has its place.

I think lifting the lid off the school system pressure cooker would be good thing all year round, not just in heatwaves, and for staff as well as pupils. Well-being of both is at its lowest. Your tone in this op just feels like someone at their peak of overwhelm. If there were some flex in the system it would allow everyone some breathing space and to enjoy some downtime together.

And it doesn’t have to be water fights - that was one example. How about finding some shade and quietly reading a book, paper or comic instead. Prize for the best daisy chain. Cooler classroom carousel with calm enrichment activities in each one. Etc

Make sure that you asked them how much there wage was back in 76 as well 😉

Some people on this and other threads seem to struggle greatly with the notion that just because the heat doesn't affect them doesn't mean it doesn't affect anybody. You are not the sole model of all human experience.

Survival is a pretty low bar.

Dd is a teacher in an indie flexi day/boarding school. No air con. The kids are allowed to go to lessons in pe kit.

They will be learning all week 8am to 5pm, with usual clubs and enrichment activities after - because
a. where else are they gonna go
b. parents complain if the kids aren't getting the teaching that has been paid for.
c. it is just expected. It is term time.

Local state schools are shutting at lunchtime.

And the ratio of wages to house prices of course.

And the universal credit top ups and the free child care......oh hang on

I lived the summer of 76. I was only 10 but remember it like it was yesterday. Kids out playing everywhere. Drinking from water fountains in the park. Everyone getting sunburned, apart from dad who continued to the gardening in his shirt and tie. Millions of ladybirds.

the big difference back then was that, rather than it being extremely hot, it was simply very hot for weeks on end with no rain. It was fantastic time to be young.

anyway..,

That's for the teachers, what about the pupils ?

It wouldn’t have bothered me when my kids were at school (private). Unless this weather is going to be this consistently hot every day till end of July the odd day of cooling fun is fine.

How old are you as I can bet my bottom dollar you didn't have to sit in unheard of temperatures brought on by climate change and older folks selfish decisions back in the 00s, 90s, 80s or even 2010's!

I can't work out what everyone's arguing about here 🙄

It's perfectly reasonable for the OP as someone who works in a school to assert that measures should be considered so that children can continue to learn in these extremely hot summers that we are going to be experiencing more and more.

We cannot keep resorting to school closures because as covid showed us the effect on children's education and general wellbeing is too severe.

My Y12 DS is sitting a 3 hour exam today and a 5 hour one tomorrow and we're in one of the hottest areas of the country. I think he should be as comfortable as possible so he can do his best. Today's parents of primary school age kids who think extended playtimes and water fights are enough will be in this position in a few years' time and I imagine they are going to be delighted if their kids' exam halls are air conditioned.

And the greater availability of social housing, not needing to get yourself 5 figures in debt for a degree before employers will look at you for entry roles.. oh no wait a minute.

It is surely apparent that some changes will need to be made if the climate becomes such that extreme heat is a regular feature for extended periods of time. A continental type day, starting and finishing earlier is a possibility, but only if working parents can accommodate it. How do working parents in hot countries manage childcare?

If it’s possible to retro fit air con systems in schools, that should be considered. The issue, as ever, will be cost, but it seems that it could be a longer term solution, if money can be found.

The other consideration is to adjust school terms to reflect the likely increase in temperature. It’s unpredictable though. This time last year, it was quite cool and wet.

I do know how @noblegiraffe feels though. I have unpleasant memories of a meeting with inspectors on a day so hot that I couldn’t organise my thoughts because I was so uncomfortable. At this stage of the school year, teachers and pupils are running out of energy anyway. I once bought some blinds for my department, because the expanse of glass in the room rendered it either unusable or very uncomfortable in both summer and winter. I asked, but there was no budget to fund them, so I did.

I’m part time.

And calling a teacher moany because they want kids to actually be able to learn when they are at school is interesting.

What’s wrong with wanting kids to actually be able to learn?