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.

A National Emergency has now been declared.

I can assure that none of the staff at my school (primary in SE London) are calling for school to close! We ARE resilient! I’ve been at my current school for many years and we haven’t closed for heat, snow or even for covid (within guidelines). The one time the snow was bad enough for it to be a problem to drive, those of us within a reasonable distance walked in (it’s 4 miles for me so I was a bit late) and could cover for colleagues from further away.

Also NOT watching videos etc during learning time. The last afternoon ONLY will be taken up with end of year assembly and some fun activities such as the school spelling and times table competitions (yes the children do find them fun and there are prizes for ALL).

I'm imagining schools having a magic fan and freezer cupboard for ice lollies. Sort of like the endless one at the end of Indiana Jones......

If everyone (who can) keeps their head down on monday and Tuesday then we can get back to normal on weds. If we don't take the extreme heat seriously then next week will be a shit show. The less pressure on emergency services the better.

of course it is...

Good job they didn't send them hone when it was 30 like you wanted, they'd been off for a week!

*home

yes adapting... making provisions and arrangements. That does not mean shutting schools down

I assume teachers will be having a days pay deducted from their payslip to enjoy their day off in the sunshine ??

I can now understand why there’s so much media coverage when a red weather warning is still being dismissed as “sunshine” to “enjoy”. Would you dismiss a red wind warning as “breezy” too or is it just sun that you are an ostrich about?

If schools do close then teachers will be directed to work by the headteacher - planning for next year, handover meetings, school improvement plan work etc. So it won't be a "day off in the sunshine".

A school in our area has been closed a couple of days this week, in perfectly average summer temperatures, because the air-con doesn't work and the windows don't open (relatively new building too).

They're still going to Thorpe Park in 38 degrees on Tuesday though. Go figure 🤷🏻‍♀️

Rubbish. I know several teachers who have planned days out on Monday

That's what OP was hoping for, closed this week, so severe weather warning. But should be closed anyway!

Nice work if you can get it.

Oh, I didn't realise you knew all the work "several teachers" are directed to do by the headteacher and when they are to do it. My mistake.

Day off in the sunshine ffs. I work in a school and several of the teachers have expressed safety concerns for the children and are really worried about the responsibility of having to 'diagnose' what does and doesn't constitute heatstroke, making a call on if we send them home etc. Schools in this country are designed to keep heat in, in hot countries they are designed to keep it out. And you sure don't get the humidity in the likes of SA as you do hear. But yeah, keep cracking on that school staff are just lazy twats

Here not hear

I had a look and in 1976 the temperatures went up to 35c. So what we have already had lots of in the South East and 'got on with it'. What is being discussed here is temperatures going up to 40c which is quite a bit hotter. And certainly not 'just summer' in my experience. I'm interested about what those who 'couldn't leave work if school closed because of heat' do if it is a snow day or if their child is ill? I get it is inconvenient but I don't understand what the difference is if they close for snow or heat in terms of whether someone can not go into work?

It sounds like my DD's school have lots of plans in place including the DC being allowed to go in in their own loose fitting clothes. So hopefully the beginning of next week will pass without incident.

@WatermelonWaveclub but the title mentions 30 degrees of heat?

When OP started this thread the red alert wasn't in place?

So I think your talking nonsense!

Yes it may have moved on, but it started very very clearly with 30 degrees!

At 30°c absolutely not. Yes at 40°.

@WatermelonWaveclub by OPs standard school would've been closed for a week

On top of

Snow
Wind
Sick
Covid

I presume you've no issue with disruption to NHS services, refuse collection etc?

Exactly, this was started as close the schools at 30 degrees, it's in the title! But people are now saying "told you so", no that wasn't the original question.

I work in a secondary school. No plans to close, although sadly all trips have been cancelled.

Kids can wear PE kits to school and staff can dress down. We’ve got ice lollies and slushies at breaks and lunchtime, are giving away free bottles of water and encouraging hourly water breaks. We’ll also offer indoor play instead of breaks out on the playground.

Some very vulnerable children and staff will stay at home. Otherwise, it’s business as usual.

Work have told us not to come in. It’s not air conned so I’ll. it’s nothing except what would have been an awful commute.

*I’ll miss

I have UV filter on my classroom windows and dark blinds. Also enough cross windows to open both sides of the room which is unusual. (it is a strange shape).

It was 37 degrees in the SHADE OUTSIDE today. No idea what it was in my classroom. I encouraged children to drink, I reminded them to apply sunscreen. I encouraged them to do low key activities and re-planned lessons to be less active. We did all our lining up in the shade by leaving class early - there is not enough shade for everyone so I got in quick!

I still had 3 x major bleeding noses and 2 x vomiting.