To think schools should shut in 30' heat

[dragonflyglaze]

I'm a TA in an Infant School in the South East, we break up next Thurs. This week has been tough, the little ones can't cope in the heat and as much as we try and keep them indoors, hydrated etc some of them are just not coping. Never mind the staff who are doing their best to support the children whilst slowly melting.
Next week we are forecast to hit 30' and there's an extreme weather warning. We have to close if its too cold e.g. heating not working, or too windy. I can't understand why there's no rule for extreme heat.

I live in a South facing flat with huge windows covering a whole wall in the living room and no garden/balcony - it is like a greenhouse. I also can't put a fan on in the day because my 3 year old is petrified of them. It is still cooler than my DDs classroom because I don't have 30 other children my living room in uniforms trying to concentrate on school work. It's not the same at all. My DD is currently laying on a beanbag watching TV in cool clothes - she couldn't do that in school.

I am thinking about keeping children safe, happy and comfortable

Their parents losing money or putting jobs at risk isn't going to contribute to the safer, happiness and comfort of these children though.

That is a vaild point about vulnerable children, however bear in mind that schools have a very good idea of which children need extra support and protection could easily accommodate those children.

NRTFT but in response to those saying about schools in hot countries-they usually do 7.30-1.30 hours rather than 9-3

Presumably she copes by school finishing earlier in the year and in the day. And school buildings and uniforms being designed for the heat in a way they are not in this country. People need to fuck off with the “get a grip” argument about something that’s really unpleasant and for some people really dangerous. Do you think the Met Office issue these warnings just for a laugh?

Behaviour has been absolutely off the wall this week in the secondary where I work. Teenagers in this heat either get angry and defiant, or lethargic and weepy. Either way it results in a lot of lost learning time.

That said, I wouldn't support closure for hot weather. After lockdown there are too many kids (and parents) who no longer view school as the default. We've got too many kids taking days off because they're tired, or the slightest bit under the weather. Those odd days here and there add up.

Lots of schools have temporarily relaxed uniform rules in an attempt to make things more comfortable. More outside time, as some pp have suggested, is only helpful if there are shaded areas! In my school this is one of the problems, there aren't enough indoor spaces for students at social times and outside there's no shade.

@dragonflyglaze not sure why your irritated about people pointing out that others also suffer! Your post states over 30 and close the school, the "poor" staff having to deal with it.

There are "poor" staff everywhere, you've got six weeks off coming up, so in a better situation than post to deal with any prolonged heat wave.

You have inserted the word poor.

@MangosteenSoda

No, sorry, the last sentence was a general observation, as I once was told here on MN (in no uncertain terms) how incredibly important 'proper dress - blazers, ties, socks etc.' were for educational success and discipline in all age groups. Which I did not quite believe.

@Staryflight445

" Even someone from the met office has been quoted to say that the heat here IS different because of the humidity."

I'd be asking "different in what way"? I'm still not buying for one moment that the humidity in the UK leads to world beating, difficult to manage heat.

Get off an aircraft many places in the world and you are faced with higher then typical UK temperatures and close to 100% humidity (and often pollution to boot).

The US eastern seaboard/eastern states can be horrendously hot and humid late summer..

Other examples are available.

I'm not denying in certain circumstances hot weather can be challenging in the UK, but I'd certainly challenge any claim the UK is somehow unique, or even one of the outliers in the hot humid weather stakes. .

@dragonflyglaze but it's been a tough week, you've had to support the children (your job!), the staff are slowly melting.....

No other staff in any other industry have to work in such awful conditions, do they?

It's a very self pitying post, it implied "poor" staff even if it didn't say it.

This with bells on

My dd aged 5 vomited due to the heat. Google heat stroke. And then apologise or fuck off. How dare you.

Sunniest sunshine is an ironic name for someone who appears to be bereft of compassion or empathy btw.

But it suited your narrative to add it in.

Just finished work (my previous post was during my PPA - was on mumsnet for 5 minutes helping a few prospective medics). Eventually reached 37 again by last period. Dripping sweat - v lovely look.
Our buildings are not geared up for this heat. Countries that are having opening windows and are not covered in cladding to keep every once if heat in (to save on bills in winter).
It's a bit nuts but we'll keep going. Staff shortages because of covid (loads of kids off too), so I'll plod on.

@ladygindiva so sorry about your DD. Heatstroke is a very real issue especially for little ones who don't always know they're overheating

My dd aged 5 vomited due to the heat. Google heat stroke. And then apologise or fuck off. How dare you.

Dear god, that's how you deal with people on a forum that dare to have a different opinion?

Apologise or fuck off..... you don't own the forum... you do realise that?

Installing more and more 'air con' is going to exacerbate the problem though

Aren't we polluting the planet enough? We are educating our children on global warming and what's happening to our planet.....but educating them in air con classrooms? Adding further to the growing problem....

I have gone through a packet of nurofen already this week as have constant headache from the heat. At least I've not needed the toilet - realised I'd not gone all day, despite drinking over 2l of water.
I agree that behaviour has not been great, as kids are hot and bothered. Don't think closing is the answer, but do think some modifications to school day are needed - earlier start and earlier finish (like hot countries do).

@dragonflyglaze yep the same as you totally changed your "close the school" to "make changes".

TAs are not the only ones "melting in this heat"!

Nowhere have I said TAs are the only ones melting in the heat. Nowhere. You're clearly up for a fight and frankly it's too hot. I'll leave you to your angry little thoughts.

it wasnt a response to a different opinion; it was a response to an aggressive insulting post.

Early start and finish isn’t always used. As pp said in Aus we were used to melting roads plus sweaty dresses and normal school times. In fact if you want to see the English school system transplanted to a hot country Aus is a good bet. Things may have moved on as it was a while back, but even slip slop slap was fairly recent.

Here getting the 17 year old up in time for 8.30 is enough as he has to travel, I’m sure he’d take a hot day over a 5.30am start

@ladygindiva which wasn't aimed at you! So get over yourself!