Schools leaving windows open during winter

[Helenj1977]

I have 2 children at school and my eldest has been told that windows will be open during the winter, they can wear coats. My nephew is in reception and my sil has been told the same.

I get why but seriously how can that be good for them?? I can't imagine them learning much if they're sat shivering.

Out of interest, does anyone know if open windows actually help reduce the spread of Covid in classrooms
medium.com/@ra.hobday/coronavirus-and-open-windows-some-science-from-the-cold-war-e25ee1c61d02

Where do you think classrooms fit?

Some of the nursery schools I worked in in London still had the fully opening walls from when they were Open Air schools when TB was still rife. Almost everything was done outside including their post lunch nap. My mother went to an Outdoor School in the 1930s after her mother died of TB.

Sounds like a brilliant idea that would be so much healthier long term. Schools are normally too hot and stuffy.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_air_school

Fascinating. Maybe time for a come back!

Good, it would be bonkers if they were closed during a pandemic. Thermal long-sleeve vest and long johns. Job done and the teachers and students have a little more chance of dodging Covid. Some people work outdoors all winter. Builders, gardeners, road sweepers some plumbers, roofers, farmers, market stall holders. I appreciate they may move more, but schools will have the heating on.

Ventilating the classrooms is going to be much more preventative than putting away soft furnishing and not letting them share pencils.

@TweeterandtheMonkeyman

Out of interest, does anyone know if open windows actually help reduce the spread of Covid in classrooms?

Is this a serious question?

Considering most primary's seem to be heated to Sahara levels this can only be a good thing. Fresh air is good for you, those stuffy classrooms are awful, get some layers if you're that concerned.

I work in secondary and it's like a wind tunnel outside my office when the outer doors are open so I'm getting appropriate clothing and will get on with it.

I grew up in the days before central heating, double and triple glazing, and other mod cons. Oddly, we seemed to be a lot healthier. I can barely recall anyone being off sick from school, and I know for a fact that my only period of sickness from starting school to finishing (at 18) was when I was 17. The teachers almost sent out a search party, my being absent was so unusual!

I've continued an out-doorsy life, I am out twice a day every day whatever the weather or season (dog owner). I am now disabled but that's nothing to do with "ill health" - I have arthritis quite badly. But the point is that I have had maybe three or four bouts of illness in my life, past the childhood infections everyone got (and I got them all before I started school).

I think sometimes children have a little too much cotton wool - an open window won't kill them and might actually make them healthier.

Ventilation with fresh air is absolutely key to reduce spread.
I’d be very happy if my kid was by an open window. The heating will be on and they will can wear their coats. I’d love if they could get more outside time too.

Do you not leave your windows open at home? I don't like the sound of windows closed ever. Not with 30 kids in a room! I'm a teacher amd I always open windows.

They will hardly freeze with costs and heating on. Fresh air is good.

Since when has fresh air been bad for children?!

I work outdoors so always chuckle and indignation about windows being open. They need lots of light layers - vests and jumpers under their blazers and wind proof, none bulky lined jackets. Tights under trousers and leggings under skirts.

We have just be told to dress them in warm clothes mind you it’s a non uniform school so I guess that helps for once!

Compared to not being in school at all I will take it..and ours are opening the external doors all classrooms have that lead to the playground

Layer up. Vests, tights, base layers, hats if it comes to it, just wash them ffs. There is no excuse for being cold. It is inappropriate clothing not the fresh air and consequent lower viral load that is the problem.

Ventilated rooms is about the only thing schools can do!
Have bought all 3 of mine thermal vests for the winter .

The classrooms will still be heated. They’re opening the window FFS, not removing the roof!

Schools are too hot in winter anyway, so it will be a blessing if there is more fresh air around.

And the reason is for Covid - so even if it was a bit chilly, it would be worth it, to avoid infection.

I take it you would prefer the windows and doors closed OP?

If so, do you think this increases the risk of covid and other winter bugs or not?

It does not get that cold in England that they'll be sitting shivering. They wont be right beside the window.

Plus circulating outdoor air disperses droplets ftom coughs and sneezing.

Same here and they also have to wear PE kit all day if they have a class. I have bought a decent tracksuit as I imagine shorts will be too cold. They can wear jumpers under blazers but apparently this isn't the done thing and DC will be bullied.

It is literally the only thing I have in my armour to even attempt to stop the virus spreading in my classroom. There is no way I am shutting windows. Ever.

I work in reception, we have always had doors open all year round anyway as we have free flow play outside and in, I've never had a child complain they're cold inside