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?

My DD wears thermal type Black leggings over her tights or pretends they're her tights and just puts thick socks in with them just under her skirt on bottom half . She could wear trousers instead, You can add layers for top half including thermal vests, plain to shirt and school shirt, and school jumper and school blazer /or a school fleece on top. When still cold (but that's a lot of layers) my DD puts her coat & scarf back on and says 'miss it's cold' when she's asked

Our Children's generation aren't used to the cold but we were, including our DCs DGPs. We coped by wearing layers

A blanket is far less effective than layering clothes as it doesn't trap air next to the body and keep that warm air inside clothes when they move around all day. Your DCs are missing struck if they think a blanket will keep them warmer than layers of clothes will.

We provide extra layers for those who need them Does every school? Does the OPs school? How do you identify those in need?

Its not nice, but if I shut my windows my CO2 in my classroom increases to over 1500 pretty quickly. My door is always open.

I sit next to one of the windows so appreciate how cold it is however the windows stay open.

I have told my students to get some fingerless gloves, happy for them to wear a coat if its really cold - I am in the bit of a wind tunnel - so can get a bit colder.

However my CO2 monitor is also a thermometer and right next to the open window it rarely dips below 18oC so not that chilly!

Layers are key, I have multiple including a chunky cardi I keep at school. Lots of my students wear skins under uniform.

My own children have long sleeve t-shirts under polos, and leggings instead of tights and my son can choose to pop tights under his trousers if needed but I battle to get him to wear trousers over shorts most of the winter!

Email your MP and ask why schools are not yet supplied with CO2 monitors in every classroom and why schools are being told to buy their own air cleaners from their non-existent budget. With those, windows wouldn’t need to be open all the time.

And for some funding to turn the heating on/up.

You can get thermals easily. She needs to layer up. I’d much rather my children learned in a well ventilated classroom. It’s not “unkind”. Seriously!

What are skins?

Vest, then long sleeved merino wool thermal top, then long sleeved shirt/polo shirt then jumper.
Merino wool leggings under her trousers, and thermal socks.
Fingerless gloves.

If I close the windows in my classroom the CO2 monitor will go red in about 30 minutes. This means the whole class have to be brought outside to bring it back to green.
Staff are not allowed hot drinks in the classroom .
15 minute lunch break not enough time for a hot meal.
It's cold for everyone but a blanket would not be practical even as a trip hazard.

I’m not really sure what you would like us to do? I’m in a class mid outbreak. I’d quite like to avoid getting it. But they are coming in with symptoms, with family cases. We don’t have anything else to mitigate risk at all.
We coped last year. Layered up and got on with it.
The unions do literally nothing. They have no power and don’t address any concerns we have. So it’s not them.

@EllaVaNight

What are people's suggestions for children from low income families? All these extra clothes simply are not possible for many families. Schools should be safe for poor children.

Last year I spent a couple of evenings making 30 pairs of wrist warmers and snoods for this very reason. I live in a deprived area so knew that this was a likely problem that people would face. Luckily I'm a bit of a crafter and pack rat when it comes to fabric so tend to save any clothes I think I'll be able to chop up for parts so I was able to make the lot from old pjs, fleece and jersey tops. I handed them in to the office and told them to give them to anyone who needed them. Have been knitting and crocheting hats this year using wool from my stash.

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo you lovely person!

@flashpaper

I was merely pre-empting some pedant saying "But Mountain Warehouse don't sell cassocks and surplices".

Our "thermal" (heat holder/thermalite) leggings regularly in stock and sell at £4 each from home bargains - girls and women's sizes

They are very thick stretchy and look like jet black thick tights (but last far longer than tights do)
They dry overnight so wash them mid week.

So I don't think they are unaffordable as lots of the bargain type shops do them

I don't think it's ideal. I work in an office where air con is on and it was freezing. All summer I would wear 2 pairs of socks, jeans and jumpers etc and my fingers were numb and I'm no skinny minny either. I couldn't concentrate when I was so cold and then would go out in to 28 degree heat dressed like it was winter

Sorry but to PPs who mention it - what's the deal with CO2 levels? Why are they dangerously high, and is this a recent/Covid issue?

The thing is OP, you're right they should not be in freezing cold classrooms in conditions that make it difficult to learn. But I wonder if the answer lies in investment that the govt is sadly unwilling to make, such as decent air purifiers, specialised heaters, etc.

@Rumplestrumpet

Sorry but to PPs who mention it - what's the deal with CO2 levels? Why are they dangerously high, and is this a recent/Covid issue?

The thing is OP, you're right they should not be in freezing cold classrooms in conditions that make it difficult to learn. But I wonder if the answer lies in investment that the govt is sadly unwilling to make, such as decent air purifiers, specialised heaters, etc.

High CO2 levels indicate poor ventilation, and poor ventilation is linked with Covid spread - the particles are lingering in the air.

My school gets around this problem by putting the CO2 monitors in open, low traffic areas like reception and the room currently assigned as a library.

It was 1C outside when I brought my class in this morning - not many were taking their jumpers off today. Outdoor P.E. tomorrow too because SLT want us to put on Christmas shows this year so the gym hall has been commandeered by the upper school. Happy times

The DFE have sent out (eventually) co2 monitors - it’s not the actual co2 but it’s an indication that the air quality is low - as it will be with 32 odd people in a small space. So we know to open a window. 🙄
However many schools don’t have opening windows so they are pointless.

All the kids are cold. My DDs are at secondary and it is hit and miss if the teachers let them wear coats etc. Some do and some don't.
My kids wear t shirts under their shirts and sometimes leggings under trousers. I have complete sympathy with the kids as I hate being cold but I totally understand why the school are doing this.
It's absolutely freezing where I work too, especially in the chilled section and only allowed to wear a t-shirt and jacket but it is what it is.
Rather be cold (no matter how much I hate it) than get Covid.

My CO2 monitor is above 1500 by 10am every day, even with the windows open.
And yes, I'm keeping the windows open all day.

Yanbu OP. It really sucks. I hate being cold. Feel for them all.

I'm a TA in a primary school. We have the windows open because good ventilation is a key weapon against covid.
Kids are always asking me to close the windows because they are cold. Usually while not wearing a jumper......
I explain its not possible and ask them to put a jumper on. I also suggest layers. Several children have responded that they 'don't want to wear layers'........

I wear layers, fingerless gloves and a pashmina as a scarf. The kids are able to wear the same.

YANBU. The government guidance literally says "you should balance the need for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature". It sounds like the school is not following this - might be worth raising the guidance with them.

@EllaVaNight

What are people's suggestions for children from low income families? All these extra clothes simply are not possible for many families. Schools should be safe for poor children.

We owned more layers when we were struggling as we were used to getting by with less heating at home. I'd have thought most poor kids would be the same, clothes can often be come by free or cheaper than gas. Doesn't matter what's worn under uniform.

We have to have the windows and the door open (downstairs classroom). It is very cold and unpleasant. (Deputy head comes to check that the door is open).

Sympathies..I'm a TA in a large classroom with only a few children (Special School) ... tomorrow I am wearing Uniqlo thermals under a sweater, thick body warmer on top. long johns under jeans. I'll sweat like crazy while hoisting and changing children, but freeze the rest of the time. I feel sorry for the children..some of whom simply will not wear layers .
However I am just going back to work after a fortnight of being away ill with Covid, so I understand the rational, even if I hate it!

@Hummingbird80

YANBU. The government guidance literally says "you should balance the need for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature". It sounds like the school is not following this - might be worth raising the guidance with them.

Yes I’d look into how cold it is op

Not do a blanket, but it’s only going to get worse which seems too much for dc