AIBU to worry about the heat in schools on Monday and Tuesday

[Ihearticecream]

I may be over-worrying but with the weather warnings and it set to be 35c+ on Monday and Tuesday (South East England) am I being unreasonable to be worried? My children really don’t cope well with heat and while at school I don’t see how they can concentrate. Not to mention the staff. Especially the pregnant staff members. There’s no air conditioning, maybe a fan in the classroom and they don’t allow constant access to water (that is another thread).

And I appreciate there are a number of professions where they still have to be suited and booted regardless of the weather but this thread isn’t about that (I salute you!)

If any staff in schools know of any measures they are putting in place that would be great.

#Weshouldhavebrokenupalready

9 posts down in the forum , you’ll find that there are others who are similarly worried:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4588654-to-think-schools-should-shut-in-30-heat

Well worth a read - albeit there’s 700+ posts to wade through, but perhaps saying the same as you are

If they maintain the rule regarding no consistent access to water then I would not send my child in next week. You need to clarify this with the school as it's a potential serious risk to their health.

As someone who works in a high school I would say YANBU. I am very lucky as I am in an air conditioned room but there is only about 5 in the whole school. In the other rooms without air conditioning with the large windows the rooms are unbearable. No work gets done as both the staff and pupils are uncomfortably hot. I would say though that this only happens a few days a school year. I know they won't shut schools due to the heat but I don't blame parents for not sending them in. Especially if like where we are next week is the last week of schools and we have mostly finished teaching and it's basically just easy work and supervising kids. They will manage next week but upto you if you don't send them in!

Would also say ours are very fair they do ask pupils to fill their water up at breaks and lunch but I let mine go if they run out. If you're thinking of sending them in then fill a water bottle and put it in the freezer. It usually lasts most of the day!

I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about it, see how the forecast updates over the weekend and keep them off and fill the paddling pool if you don't fancy sending them in, you definitely won't be the only one. Nobody will remember or care that you didn't send them in. The amount of learning going on in the last week of term is negligable at best under normal conditions!

I'm concerned as well. I'd like to keep DD off but she has had quite a lot of time off already this year. I'm sending her in with chilled water and liquid rich fruits and veg. Apart from sending her in as little clothing as possible and with a sun hat I can't think what else to do.

We have a 20 minute walk home which I'm not looking forward to as well. I have a parasol and a water spray with a fan bit again can't think of what else will help.

Thank you everyone! I’m thinking even a half day would be better! Maybe the morning and sent home before the heat of the day (I’m sure that’s what they do in Spain towards the end of the school year).

I think they need to clarify what comes under their amber/ red warnings.

The schools closed when we had those high winds a few months ago as travel was dangerous. They have said similar re travel this heatwave (I've cancelled a trip Sunday with a 5 hr round trip time).

I also hope the schools don't do their drinks bottle tests and allow squash. Heat is a bigger concern than the actual sun.

@SavoirFlair Oh thank you! I will have a read

I'm not too bothered about it. Whatever they do, it will be wrong - close the schools there will be uproar about the extra hassle, leave them open there will be uproar about children becoming ill through the heat.

It will be a write-off in terms of actually learning anything but part of the school experience is to prepare pupils for adulthood - an adulthood where they will be forced to do things they don't want to do, in unpleasant surroundings.

DS has his prom next week. I really hope it isn't cancelled but I would understand if they did. It's not going to be fun for a bunch of already sweaty 11 year olds

I think the issue is the assumption that it’s better for children to be at home in a heatwave than at school. If you live in a big breezy house in the leafy suburbs, it may well be cooler at home. But remember the heatwave during the first lockdown when so many people were stuck boiling in their hot houses and flats with no outdoor space? Not all families have capacity to take children out to air conditioned spaces (which are usually quite expensive). And so many children are safest and happiest in school for lots of reasons. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with keeping yours home though if you think that would be better for them.

I hope not, next week is my sons busiest week at school (year9) he would be upset if it was cancelled to to all his hard work in the lead up to next week. It would be just as hot at home.

That's a really good point.

I'm not sending mine in, there is no need too.

Why can't there be flexibility! Those that can, DC stay at home!
Or a half day!.
Let those at school still watch a film.

It's crazy!

Even at home though they can manage themselves?
They are free to do why they want.

They won’t close the schools as it means families will flock to the beach. Which will cause more problems than keeping the schools open.

'Pregnant staff members'.....pregnant women you mean yes?

Well hopefully it's not the schoolgirls.

Weve had an email reassuring parents there is no plans to shut the school as they had had queries about childcare.

Schools aren't childcare, but medical staff, utilities, emergency workers etc need to be in work and other parents need to work for money to support their families, and having the children safe in school is part of that network.

Our secondary school is showing the children to come in wearing their PE kit which I don't feel well make much difference and could lead to more of them getting sunburnt. There's no word as yet on if any accommodations are being made for the staff (we're only allowed you wear shorts on sports day but the dresses can be as short as they like all year round )

And so many children are safest and happiest in school for lots of reasons.

So we also should not have the upcoming six week school closure?

I think it's a complex issue and one we've discussed on this thread here a bit.
www.mumsnet.com/talk/weather/4583720-we-need-to-talk-about-the-weather-and-the-potential-for-extreme-heat

Some schools are probably very well set up for heat and have access to decent outside shaded space. Others can become very hot even in ordinary summer heat.

The point about stopping everyone flocking to beaches is a very good one. Traffic jams could become dangerous if the worst of the models are realised. Though of course lots of people need to be able to go to work and wouldn't be able to anyway.

There is the potential for general travel disruption. That needs to be taken into account.

It's a hard call for local authorities and head teachers to make and I think will vary enormously with individual circumstances.

Mine are in y6 and will be gutted if schools close so I hope not. They have their leavers party on Monday evening, and a load of other stuff between then and Wednesday when they finish.

No. The poster said staff members so presumably meant exactly that....pregnant staff members!