Freezing schools

[Ineedapuppy]

DD8 has cried this afternoon at how cold it is in her classroom with all the doors and windows open. Apparently she’s not allowed a blanket from home and the only response from school is to wear layers under uniform

AIBU to think that this is unkind? At work (large multi National company) staff would NOT work in these freezing conditions. How can it be fair to expect young kids to do it and if so, why make them wear flimsy uniforms?

They've been told they can wear layers under their uniforms. The staff are working in the cold too. They need ventilation due to rising covid numbers. Unless you fancy more homeschooling?

What’s wrong with thermals under uniform? Good quality base layers and perhaps a thin mid layer under the uniform would be way more practical than a blanket. Imagine trying to sit and write whilst wrapped in a blanket or them being trapezes on the floor and tripped over. Blankets would be massively inconvenient in the classroom. I’m a teacher…I want the children to be comfortable and warm but also wouldn’t allow blankets.

Aren’t they allowed to
Wear coats/hats and fingerless gloves ? We are.

At 8, thermals are probably manageable (thinking of the loo). It’s not great but we are where we are.

School staff have to work in these conditions, others too, probably.

How is she going to carry a blanket from class to class 🙄

We have to have windows and doors open to stop the spread of covid. Every teacher I know wears multiple layers. You need to get some thermals and thin jumpers so your dc can do the same.

How can it be fair to expect young kids to do it and if so, why make them wear flimsy uniforms?

Flimsy uniform?

Don't most schools have trousers, polo shirt and a jumper? I wouldn't call that flimsy. If it's not enough then you can add a vest, tights or thermals.

@Whinge

How can it be fair to expect young kids to do it and if so, why make them wear flimsy uniforms?

Flimsy uniform?

Don't most schools have trousers, polo shirt and a jumper? I wouldn't call that flimsy. If it's not enough then you can add a vest, tights or thermals.

This!!

A bloody blanket indeed.. honest to god!

@WholeClassKeptIn

How is she going to carry a blanket from class to class 🙄

Why would an 8 year old be going from class to class?

A blanket is completely impractical and school are right in saying that layering is the better solution. The uniform may be flimsy but the additional layers needn't be. Investing in some decent thermals would really help to keep her warm.

I agree op I wouldn’t work like that so not sure why it’s ok at schools . Don’t see the issue with a small blanket.

I should think she jolly well isn't allowed a blanket at school.

One of my DC was a cathedral chorister from the age of 7, and it is absolutely freezing in an unheated cathedral in winter. Several thermal layers were the answer. He used to sing in two pairs of thermal long johns, thermal socks, two thermal long-sleeved vests, school uniform, cassock and surplice. I bought all (apart from the cassock and surplice, obvs) in Mountain Warehouse.

As someone who has spent all day working in a nursery (with every window and door open) with 3 layers plus a extremely heavy winter coat with freezing Scottish weather outside she has my sympathies. It's hellish, the children are cold, staff are cold and it's not pleasant.

Dd wears

Thermal fleece tights
L/sleeve Vest
Polo shirt
Sweatshirt
Fleece jacket
Socks
Cashmere wrist warmers.

They do
Lots of moving in the classroom. She has a big hot lunch and a hot breakfast

Other than that I don’t know what else to suggest

The CO2 monitor with the windows closed read 2423 today.

Anything over 1000 is not great, over 1500 an alarm goes off and not just windows, but doors need to be open too.

Layers are more practical than a classroom of kids wrapped in blankets surely? Anyway it seems problematic enough trying to match 30 odd kids with the correct school jumper, without adding 30 blankets into the mix.

Dd had this last year, she has the following all ready for when it gets too cold for normal uniform:

Primark thermal vests and thermal long sleeve T-shirts
Leggings and/or tights to wear under trousers
Fingerless wrist warmers and snoods that I made from old fleece pjs
Coat and hat

We'll add layers as needed. The fingerless wrist warmers are the best, I have some cashmere ones from turtle doves and they are really brilliant, even though fingers are completely uncovered they stay warm.

@EstoPerpetua

I should think she jolly well isn't allowed a blanket at school.

One of my DC was a cathedral chorister from the age of 7, and it is absolutely freezing in an unheated cathedral in winter. Several thermal layers were the answer. He used to sing in two pairs of thermal long johns, thermal socks, two thermal long-sleeved vests, school uniform, cassock and surplice. I bought all (apart from the cassock and surplice, obvs) in Mountain Warehouse.

Where do you get your cassock and surplice from, if not Mountain Warehouse?? **

It was freezing here today. I usually leave the window open all day but couldn't cope today. No way kids should have to sit freezing all day when they're trying to learn. I have Raynauds and no amount of thermals has ever helped. The kids should be able to be comfortable so they can learn effectively.

I don't understand why "take a blanket" would be your first response to this, rather than "add more layers of clothing".

I can highly recommend thermal vests and trousers.

We had this last year with my 7 year old, so we invested in thermals. She was wearing a vest, long sleeve thermal top, her polo shirt and cardigan. On the bottom, tights, thermal leggings and trousers. For outdoor assembly she had full length thermal coat, hat and gloves. M&S do good kids thermals, as do Mountain Warehouse.

Layers of clothes are far more practical and warmer than a blanket

Why would you think your child would be able to drag a blanket around with her at school? She's not Linus!

@WholeClassKeptIn

How is she going to carry a blanket from class to class 🙄

Well, it’s primary so they’d be in the same classroom, but anyway, it’s a blanket, not a bag full of bricks.