Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

96 replies

Ihearticecream · 14/07/2022 13:29

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

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 14/07/2022 16:10

@OhYouBadBadKitten 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.

As the extreme heat warnings start on Sunday there seems to be nothing to stop families from flocking to the beaches then. Is anything in place to prevent that?

It seems odd that schools might be forced to stay open to prevent something that a) may not be prevented (parents taking kids out of school) or b) might not need to be prevented (no mass exodus due to people working) when c) Sunday is probably going to be worse for that.

Fritilleries · 14/07/2022 16:14

Why is everyone catastrophising? Send children to school with extra water, sun hat, sun cream. Sorted.

Siameasy · 14/07/2022 16:17

Agree with others, keep your kids off if you want. My DD isn’t bothered at all by the heat and I do wonder if some parents are “suggesting” that the child might be uncomfortable and projecting their own anxieties

eatingasatsuma · 14/07/2022 16:18

They'll be fine. Schools are sensible, they'll have more relaxed days I'm sure. Make sure to tell your DC to drink plenty of water. It's only 6 hours out of the whole day. I'll be making sure the paddling pool is sorted when we all get home.

Original poster
Ihearticecream · 14/07/2022 16:20

Yes totally agree. I think there’s got to be a plan in place. Full closure and cancelling everything is an extreme. But some flexibility. Maybe some water activities. The government need to do more. Why when even new schools are built, is air con not put in as standard?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ihearticecream · 14/07/2022 16:21

I think relaxing uniform would also help a lot.

OP posts:
firef1y · 14/07/2022 16:22

Secondary school (independent, special needs) broke up last week.
Local primary school have gone to the "Mediterranean" model for Monday and Tuesday next week. Starting at 7.30am, finish at 1.30pm and a 30min lunch break (instead of the usual hour), where they won't be going outside.

Personally, different hours don't bother me, as a family we're often up at 5am anyway, but can see that it's going to cause issues for others.

I'm also not so worried about the heat either, I don't remember so much fuss being made either when I was a child or when my (much) older children were at school. We might have had classes outside, kind of remember sitting under trees doing art, but mostly we just got on with it.

ElizaJones · 14/07/2022 16:26

DD’s is in yr7 and her school have said they can all wear PE kits next week instead of uniform

noblegiraffe · 14/07/2022 16:28

Kids at my school have been in PE kit all week and it's still been grim, at 10 degrees cooler than the forecast temperature for next week.

PE kit doesn't make up for the fact that many schools are completely unfit for purpose.

Cryingbutstilltrying · 14/07/2022 16:29

The LA here have sent out a list of guidance for schools, including indoor PE, staying in the shade at breaks, water to be available all the time, keeping things calm and relaxed. It seemed sensible to me.
As we only have a few days left I doubt there will be much actual learning going on so concentrating isn’t an issue.
That said, I would have no qualms about keeping mine off if I felt it was in their best interest, as there will be no learning going on. End of term fun means they would probably want to be in though.
Mainly I hope they cancel the sports day planned for Tuesday, I just don’t see how 1000+ students can be kept safe in an outdoor arena with no shade.

OhmygodDont · 14/07/2022 16:30

Our school are still insisting on full tie and blazer, those who don’t will be put in insolation and sports day on the field with no shade will go ahead.

Raindancer411 · 14/07/2022 16:31

I emailed my sons school beginning of the week but haven't heard yet on how they plan to handle the outside play

Nancydrawn · 14/07/2022 16:31

peachescariad · 14/07/2022 15:06

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

🙄

onmywayamarillo · 14/07/2022 16:32

My son is going to be staying home 😬
He doesn't know yet.. but let's see if it actually happens but we are in the direct middle of said heat wave!?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/07/2022 16:50

noblegiraffe · 14/07/2022 16:10

@OhYouBadBadKitten 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.

As the extreme heat warnings start on Sunday there seems to be nothing to stop families from flocking to the beaches then. Is anything in place to prevent that?

It seems odd that schools might be forced to stay open to prevent something that a) may not be prevented (parents taking kids out of school) or b) might not need to be prevented (no mass exodus due to people working) when c) Sunday is probably going to be worse for that.

Noble if the very intense heat hadn't been shifted to Monday/Tuesday then yes, it would be of grave concern that people would be mass migrating to the beaches in extreme heat. But Sunday doesn't look extreme now.

worriedatthistime · 14/07/2022 17:48

Do kids not go to school in other countries when its hot
Surely you just make your own decision if you want to keep them home and can then do so , for many many people that won't be possible thougH
If Sending them in with lots of water , sunscreen ( although i would think time outside would be limited to ) cool clothing etc
But ultimately make the choice you feel moat comfortable with

50mg · 14/07/2022 17:59

It's the last few day off term and exceptional circumstances. No one's going to be expecting anyone to "concentrate".

We will be on light duties, extra arrangements for drinking water, we might even treat the children to ice lollies.

Surely you don't really think schools aren't thinking about this?

It's not going to be any fun, but it will be OK for a couple of days

noblegiraffe · 14/07/2022 18:04

There's still an extreme heat warning for Sunday, Kitten?

noblegiraffe · 14/07/2022 18:06

No one's going to be expecting anyone to "concentrate".

Why force them into school then, when it's going to be deeply unpleasant?

This is what my classes are asking. 'We're not going to learn anything, what's the point?'.

What is the point? Is there a temperature severe enough that they would close schools if an extreme heat warning isn't hot enough?

50mg · 14/07/2022 18:09

noblegiraffe · 14/07/2022 18:06

No one's going to be expecting anyone to "concentrate".

Why force them into school then, when it's going to be deeply unpleasant?

This is what my classes are asking. 'We're not going to learn anything, what's the point?'.

What is the point? Is there a temperature severe enough that they would close schools if an extreme heat warning isn't hot enough?

Mainly because as we saw in the pandemic, schools fulfil many other functions on top of education.

Remmy123 · 14/07/2022 18:12

keeping them off is just too precious.

they will be fine

jackstini · 14/07/2022 18:14

Ours are allowing them to wear PE kits instead of uniform and water access is unlimited

PaperTyger · 14/07/2022 18:16

I heart,

Air conditioning and air purification systems as well

Absolutely

noblegiraffe · 14/07/2022 18:19

Mainly because as we saw in the pandemic, schools fulfil many other functions on top of education.

Then you are arguing to also keep schools open during the 6 week summer holiday?

collieresponder88 · 14/07/2022 18:24

You can keep your children at home if you are worried it's a perfectly good reason