To think that this is crazy?

[DannyOD]

Just received an email from dd2’s school outlining new precautionary measures they are bringing in after half term. Mandatory wearing of face masks and having their own bottle of hand sanitizer - all fine. But they also want to keep the rooms ventilated by having windows and doors open at all times. They said if they’re cold they will allow them to wear a jumper or a coat. Surely this is crazy. It’ll be winter soon. How are they meant to concentrate properly when they’re freezing their bits off?!

We have this in both of my dad's school only they aren't allowed to wear their jumpers or jackets all windows open, the kids are bloody freezing!!

Doors and windows open has been standard practice in the schools around here since September. It's why thermals sold out pretty much everywhere.

What are the regulations on classroom temperature?

I thought this was already happening. It is at my dds school and Ds2 college. They have been encouraged to wear thin layers under their uniforms and a coat if needed.

YABU. Good ventilation is essential in enclosed space to avoid transmission. There was a good article in the BMJ recently about it.

Not to mention if you have rain/snow and wind blowing it into the classrooms. Feasible if dry, warm and still only. A description not applicable to many days in the UK in winter.

It's nothing new. Some secondary schools were already doing this. Mine has only just implemented the face mask. Coats can be worn. Not ideal but better to keep the risk lower.

Ventilation is important to avoid spreading the virus.

Every school I know was doing this anyway. And yes, it’s freezing. But it’s best practice.

Our schools have been doing it since the term started. Decathlon have good base layers for £2.49 each (tops and bottoms).

Teachers will also be in those classrooms so I’m sure they’ll have to do something once it gets too cold.

At DSs primary school they are allowed to wear a white t-shirt under their shirts and/or a school (black or red) fleece. My DS wears a cotton vest, long sleeve shirt and school jumper as he doesn't feel the cold.

DDs secondary wear blazers at all times and can wear a logoed (non-compulsory) school jumper.

Ventilation is important. If we want to keep DC in school recieving an education then adjustments need to be made. Another layer of clothing seems like a small price to pay.

It’s to help keep the staff safe.
Obviously someone will be along to say that staff shouldn’t expect this and if they don’t want to work with the windows shut then shame on them. 🤷‍♀️

YANBU. I'd not sit at my desk freezing my arse off. My boss just got me a new heater delivered actually.

This has been happening everywhere locally since the summer.

Thankfully all bar one HT's are sensible about uniform and have been more focussed on kids being warm. The high school is allowing plain jumpers/cardigans/fleeces or hoodies over shirts and ties. They've requested they be black, white, grey, navy or white.

It’s bloody cold in my classroom and my desk is positioned under a window. Kids wear coats when they get too cold.
It’s not below the legal requirement though.
Our head said we will switch to just opening the windows when they are out at break/lunch when it gets too cold. Great, what about when it’s wet play and wet lunch?

I've worked in so many schools with very dodgy heating and windows that either won't open or won't close. Extremes of temperature were the norm. As the teacher I'd stand at the front with my coat on, half because I was cold and half to give the children the right to wear theirs.

Oh hang on, I have no problem with the windows being open, I forgot to say!! Other than I do wonder what will happen as the weather gets colder - I’ve tried to move as many away from being directly under a window as possible but because of how we have to lay out the classrooms now it’s impossible to keep everyone away from them. It’s hard for them too because they aren’t even allowed out of their seats to move about or warm up in someone else’s seat for a bit. 🥶

Yes that's mad. My kids' school has one window open in each classroom so that the kids don't have to sit near it.

Yes that's mad. My kids' school has one window open in each classroom so that the kids don't have to sit near it.

Yes it is mad considering there is lots of research that shows it spreads more in cold conditions

discussion here

Think meat packer factories 😬

But people like to feel like they are doing something 🤷‍♀️

Yes it is mad considering there is lots of research that shows it spreads more in cold conditions

discussion here

But people like to feel like they are doing something 🤷‍♀️

We have to do this at work. In short sleeves
It’s not funny

The children have my sympathy

We have to do this at work. In short sleeves. It’s not funny

The children have my sympathy

I work in a school and it's BOILING. Yes, the windows are open but the heating is on full! Trust me, after many years hearing kids saying "Miss, can we open the window?" in the middle of winter, you'd realise it's really not an issue.

@Souldyurr

I work in a school and it's BOILING. Yes, the windows are open but the heating is on full! Trust me, after many years hearing kids saying "Miss, can we open the window?" in the middle of winter, you'd realise it's really not an issue.

Surely you realise that is your school, not all schools?

In several schools I worked in over the years they would be the same, but there are also some schools that are never warm either.