Page 24 | Should schools be closed at 35°C?

rainbowsnack · Today 19:47

DancingThroughLife02 · Today 19:17

I think unfortunately we’ll have to just deal with a few faints tomorrow and hope no one gets hurt… I would have thought that parents would have more concern over their children’s wellbeing than to insist they go in and make themselves sick for the sake of not having to get childcare for a few days. It’s no wonder there’s no respect for teachers when in reality parents don’t care what happens at school as long as their children aren’t in their care for 6 hours just so they can work.

I do appreciate that things are difficult financially but this is coming from a place of genuine concern and safeguarding. Councils really need to do more to adapt to the new climate as this has happened for weeks over the last few years, it’s not just a hot week or two anymore.

Tbf, parents get threatened with fines if they let their kids stay off school even if they're genuinely sick. Parents can't win either.

scalt · Today 19:49

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · Today 15:34

Oh yawn at your frothing. It's not "nice weather" at 38 degrees, no breeze and 70% humidity unless perhaps you're sat by a pool.

You're obviously not reading the same news as me either saying it's not going to be as hot, there's apparently going to be record breaking temps this week.

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I’ll believe in the “record breaking” temps if they happen, and not before. Media frenzy. It is hot at this time of year; and in other news, bears shit in woods.

And if you think I’m frothing - I laugh every day at the frothing about many other mumsnet things, like workmen shitting in mumsnetters’ toilets.

And I am very much enjoying the sunshine! It was “record breakingly” hot on the day of my graduation, when we were all robed up. Should that have been cancelled, to protect everyone from heat exhaustion? We just got on with it in 2001. And in my school career, not once did I have a day off school for snow, or “extreme heat”. We once had primary school sports day in rain (in June). I went to school as usual the morning after the great storm of 1987 - horizontal trees did not stop us then.

And my post has had no fewer than thirteen reactions, so somebody agrees with me. 😝

nourth · Today 20:01

I don’t think some people realise that lots of teachers are trying to do what they can. I have fans in my room, I have blinds, I’ll be in school at 7.30 tomorrow morning to put up some gazebo’s that as a staff we’ve managed to collect to give some shade in the playground.
None of this changes the fact that my classroom will reach 40c this week. It was 33c on Friday!
I can’t change that I effectively teach in a greenhouse. There are no other rooms to move to. I can (and will at times) go outside - but sitting on the tarmac or astroturf is not comfortable, other classes will be out as well and with a busy road as well it is not some outside idyllic setting.
The children will be hot, bothered and snappy with each other, and I will be doing my best not to be hot, bothered and snappy with them.
And to those saying ‘everyone else copes’ my SIL has just texted me that her DCs school in France is closed tomorrow because of the heat.

CatsLikeBoxes · Today 20:03

Jk987 · Today 19:35

No. It’s no cooler at home and parents still have to work.

Not only is it cooler in many homes, they could have access to cold water to splash on them, many children could have ice lollies, water from the fridge or freezer, they could wear less clothes, would have bare feet. And if they want to flop about doing very little they can.

Children at school don't learn anything when it's hot - and that's at temperatures in high 29s / 30. At 35+ it's little more than unpleasant childcare.

And it's not even just the ridiculously hot classrooms - it's travelling to & from school for many as well.

Theres no point pretending it's not a problem, and something does need to be put in place for the future so that children can continue learning in hot weather.

Aircon / cooling measures / altering school days so finish earlier / break up for summer earlier etc.

TroysMammy · Today 20:05

And what would they be doing if the school closed because it's hot? Outside in the sun or sweltering in their non air conditioned houses?

HidingFromSunshine · Today 20:05

DimwittedSkater · Today 19:46

Exactly the same here, @bigfacthunter! I've never been a sunbather because ten minutes in the direct sunlight and I have a headache. I've missed out on daytrips when abroad because the heat gives me a stomach upset. Anything much over 23C is hell for me. And I never, ever get the SAD blues in the winter.

I was not built to cope with this weather AT ALL. My natural environment is around the position of Helsinki - which is 18 or 19C next week, which is more like it!

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I’m the same.
I faint on anything over 25, get migraines and sickness if I spend the day outside.
im so much better now ive accepted im crap.

dh is Mediterranean ancestry. He’s absolutely fine in it all day every day.

SmashThePatriarchy · Today 20:05

By 2050 this country will have summers the same as Barcelona. We all need to get a grip.

Tableforjoan · Today 20:05

TroysMammy · Today 20:05

And what would they be doing if the school closed because it's hot? Outside in the sun or sweltering in their non air conditioned houses?

Mine would be in a cooled house with cold foods and drinks with access to a cool pool.

Mumtobabyhavoc · Today 20:06

scalt · Today 19:49

I’ll believe in the “record breaking” temps if they happen, and not before. Media frenzy. It is hot at this time of year; and in other news, bears shit in woods.

And if you think I’m frothing - I laugh every day at the frothing about many other mumsnet things, like workmen shitting in mumsnetters’ toilets.

And I am very much enjoying the sunshine! It was “record breakingly” hot on the day of my graduation, when we were all robed up. Should that have been cancelled, to protect everyone from heat exhaustion? We just got on with it in 2001. And in my school career, not once did I have a day off school for snow, or “extreme heat”. We once had primary school sports day in rain (in June). I went to school as usual the morning after the great storm of 1987 - horizontal trees did not stop us then.

And my post has had no fewer than thirteen reactions, so somebody agrees with me. 😝

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🥇
Is that what you've been waiting for?

God, there's nothing more boring than a post about, "In my day...". 🥱

HidingFromSunshine · Today 20:07

TroysMammy · Today 20:05

And what would they be doing if the school closed because it's hot? Outside in the sun or sweltering in their non air conditioned houses?

Sitting in their pants at home with a fan on and endless water to drink.
not, pretending to listen to a teacher whilst barely keeping their eyes open, being told they aren’t allowed to fill water bottles.

DimwittedSkater · Today 20:07

oliviaAustin · Today 11:21

Honestly I’d be at least requesting that the school relaxes its water filling restrictions. It’s not right to restrict water during extreme heat.

But they can refill outside lesson time. Secondary school pupils have to take some responsibility for themselves. They need to make sure that they fill up when they can. Or bring in a large bottle from home, like an empty Coke bottle. You can also get water bottles from Amazon that are 1 litre, 1.5, and 2. There's really no excuse to have to leave a classroom to get a water refill.

PumpkinSoupIsBetterThanYouThink · Today 20:09

TroysMammy · Today 20:05

And what would they be doing if the school closed because it's hot? Outside in the sun or sweltering in their non air conditioned houses?

Things I remember doing with my children on very hot days (e.g. 2007 heat wave):

paddling pool
sprinkler / hose play
early morning trip / evening trip to have a picnic under big trees in the park
long, cool bath games - even in the middle of the day
naps whenever needed
wet flannels on faces and necks whenever needed
making and eating ice lollies of all different flavours
sitting in not many clothes in front of the fan
sitting with feet in buckets of water
trip to a library with air con
trip to Tesco because it was cold near the freezer, bought picky bits for dinner...

Not all of those are possible in a flat but a lot are.

Cel119 · Today 20:09

DancingThroughLife02 · Today 08:39

Not really an AIBU but looking ahead at the forecast for next week and it’s looking like a scorcher.

I work in a secondary school in a science classroom (which seems to get extra hot during practicals) and we have no fans or AC or anything at all to keep the children cool. Open windows don’t seem to help much. The thermostat in the classroom got above 30°C in the afternoon.

The children need to have their water bottles filled at break times and lunch times only and are not allowed to fill them during lessons - which I disagree with as so many come to me saying that they didn’t get a chance to fill theirs up in the 20 minute lunch break.

Last week I had children saying they were dizzy and feeling sick, and they’re made to go outside during breaks. I’m also not sure that anything I taught them during the extra hot days actually stuck in anyway as they all seemed melted onto the desks.

I know there is a legal lower temperature limit for classrooms/workplaces but maybe with the increasing summer temperatures over the last few years we need to start considering investing in ACs as the heat in summer seems to be more prolonged than a couple hot days and in the meantime consider health and safety of the students (and teachers as even I was beginning to feel a bit dizzy).

I absolutely agree that schools should close at these temperatures. Especially if they dont have up to date air con systems. I am very worried about sending my son to primary school as I know his class doesnt have air con and 30 kids in a room with a fan is just asking for trouble. I actually think people in general are going to be taken ill in this weather. Some of the vulnerable people would/could even die, unfortunately.

oldmanandtheangel · Today 20:12

My shifts are exactly six hours long and I get a 20 minute break, unpaid DURING that six hours

HidingFromSunshine · Today 20:12

SmashThePatriarchy · Today 20:05

By 2050 this country will have summers the same as Barcelona. We all need to get a grip.

Oh.
now you’ve said that

that’s fixes all the issues with our schools and infrastructure

CatsLikeBoxes · Today 20:13

TroysMammy · Today 20:05

And what would they be doing if the school closed because it's hot? Outside in the sun or sweltering in their non air conditioned houses?

When it was 35⁰ in half term I was cooler at home (in my non air conditioned home) than I am at school when it's 25⁰ outside.

DrFaustina · Today 20:18

Dd is desperately waiting for a message from school to say she can leave her blazer at home tomorrow.
My school are in PE kits.
Dd has a 30 minute walk to school in full on polyester.
I will be wearing my floatiest dress, but my room will still be a sweatbox by 10am. I will be teaching poetry analysis and non fiction writing for most of the day. I'm sure all my kids will be fully alert and ready to learn, should slt have any guests to bring round.

witchesback · Today 20:20

Givemeachaitealatte · Today 19:41

In what world is 39 degrees not that hot? That would be too hot for me on holiday around a pool all day.

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I swear it could get to 45c and people would still be saying it’s not that hot

Cel119 · Today 20:20

scalt · Today 09:08

No they shouldn’t! Should children miss exams because of “extreme heat” (another of the scary buzzwords of the decade), and dark red weather maps? In any case, shouldn’t the children be in school to be indoctrinated taught that the planet is burning to a crisp?

Close this, close that! Ban this, ban that! It’s like the 2020 mob hysteria all over again. The media whipping up a storm because they need the clicks, and it’s not even forecast to be as hot as the so-called apocalypse of 2022. All because pathetic snowflakes can’t handle a bit of weather. It’s always too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, too sunny, too foggy, beast from the east… there’s no sense of moderation and calm any more, or even enjoying nice weather during the fleeting period that we have it, it’s all panic, panic, panic, moan, moan, moan.

I agree with the indoctrination part... and the news about extreme weather expected constantly! But I would say these heats are extreme and unbearable for some. E.g. im currently pregnant and suffering in the heat. I smell like a barbecued onion and cant get rid of the smell despite showering and changing my clothes. I feel for a lot of people having to work in conditions that are beyond bearable too.

JassyRadlett · Today 20:21

scalt · Today 19:49

I’ll believe in the “record breaking” temps if they happen, and not before. Media frenzy. It is hot at this time of year; and in other news, bears shit in woods.

And if you think I’m frothing - I laugh every day at the frothing about many other mumsnet things, like workmen shitting in mumsnetters’ toilets.

And I am very much enjoying the sunshine! It was “record breakingly” hot on the day of my graduation, when we were all robed up. Should that have been cancelled, to protect everyone from heat exhaustion? We just got on with it in 2001. And in my school career, not once did I have a day off school for snow, or “extreme heat”. We once had primary school sports day in rain (in June). I went to school as usual the morning after the great storm of 1987 - horizontal trees did not stop us then.

And my post has had no fewer than thirteen reactions, so somebody agrees with me. 😝

Show quote history

Yes. We should never prepare for potentially adverse events just because experts have given us advance warning. Much better to go in blind.

Was your graduation in the UK?

HopeIsAScaryThing · Today 20:23

DancingThroughLife02 · Today 19:17

I think unfortunately we’ll have to just deal with a few faints tomorrow and hope no one gets hurt… I would have thought that parents would have more concern over their children’s wellbeing than to insist they go in and make themselves sick for the sake of not having to get childcare for a few days. It’s no wonder there’s no respect for teachers when in reality parents don’t care what happens at school as long as their children aren’t in their care for 6 hours just so they can work.

I do appreciate that things are difficult financially but this is coming from a place of genuine concern and safeguarding. Councils really need to do more to adapt to the new climate as this has happened for weeks over the last few years, it’s not just a hot week or two anymore.

100%

We're in the same boat ...

Plasticdreams · Today 20:24

scalt · Today 09:08

No they shouldn’t! Should children miss exams because of “extreme heat” (another of the scary buzzwords of the decade), and dark red weather maps? In any case, shouldn’t the children be in school to be indoctrinated taught that the planet is burning to a crisp?

Close this, close that! Ban this, ban that! It’s like the 2020 mob hysteria all over again. The media whipping up a storm because they need the clicks, and it’s not even forecast to be as hot as the so-called apocalypse of 2022. All because pathetic snowflakes can’t handle a bit of weather. It’s always too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, too sunny, too foggy, beast from the east… there’s no sense of moderation and calm any more, or even enjoying nice weather during the fleeting period that we have it, it’s all panic, panic, panic, moan, moan, moan.

The beast from the east cause over a billion in economic damage

WitchesCauldron · Today 20:27

DancingThroughLife02 · Today 08:39

Not really an AIBU but looking ahead at the forecast for next week and it’s looking like a scorcher.

I work in a secondary school in a science classroom (which seems to get extra hot during practicals) and we have no fans or AC or anything at all to keep the children cool. Open windows don’t seem to help much. The thermostat in the classroom got above 30°C in the afternoon.

The children need to have their water bottles filled at break times and lunch times only and are not allowed to fill them during lessons - which I disagree with as so many come to me saying that they didn’t get a chance to fill theirs up in the 20 minute lunch break.

Last week I had children saying they were dizzy and feeling sick, and they’re made to go outside during breaks. I’m also not sure that anything I taught them during the extra hot days actually stuck in anyway as they all seemed melted onto the desks.

I know there is a legal lower temperature limit for classrooms/workplaces but maybe with the increasing summer temperatures over the last few years we need to start considering investing in ACs as the heat in summer seems to be more prolonged than a couple hot days and in the meantime consider health and safety of the students (and teachers as even I was beginning to feel a bit dizzy).

This sounds more like you want a day off than concern for kids tbh...

SadiraOfTyr · Today 20:27

Spottyvases · Today 13:10

Righto

If that is what you're saying, it must all be true 🙄

Hot weather in the 70s and 80s did not exceed 35 degrees C - ever.

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Exactly. And heatwaves when they did occur tended to do so later in the year when schools had broken up anyway.

Kepler22B · Today 20:30

I teach in a new building which is supposed to have passive cooling but in reality it is a massive greenhouse and seriously overheats.

My l6 have a test on Monday and my year 10 class have one on Wednesday. I would rethink it but their behaviour hasn’t been great recently and at least this way they know what to do. Not expecting high marks though!

Edited to add: we are allowing PE kit or blazers & ties off, which ever they prefer.