Keeping windows open

[WindFlower92]

Anyone know how effective this actually is? I work in a secondary school and of course the pupils are complaining and how cold it is (they're not wrong!) but the headteacher is not allowing them to wear coats. I'm going to have this battle with them all winter - is it worth it? Are there any studies showing that having all windows and doors open stops the spread in a crowded room with no masks?

I would fight for students to wear whatever makes them comfortable. Coats, hats, and gloves should be entirely at student discretion.

I agree @Terrace58, it's absolutely ridiculous! I've told them to wear vests and layers, but that was 'sad

Let them wear coats in your classroom whatever the head says (or even any kind of jumper that they happen to have with them whether or not they are remotely uniform as I imagine many teens are continuing to go to school with a hoodie but no coat). Better ventilation definitely does reduce (but does not stop) spread in crowded indoor environments.

Good ventilation is key to reducing aerosols, so our windows in secondary are staying open, too. I don’t care what the rules are, my students are allowed to wear whatever keeps them warm. How can you learn when your teeth are chattering?
I have been teaching one class in the hall since September, it’s like teaching in a fridge and we have had conversations about thermal underwear and fleece lined tights.

Yes, ventilation makes a difference. End of conversation.

I'm letting my students keep their coats on OP; if the Head complains (she won't) then I'll defend my decision.
All the windows open - thirty kids, our TA and me.
Ventilation is good for reducing the risk of Covid, but the cold is bad for our immune systems - no brainer.

I understand ventilation makes a difference but I agree that it would be nice to know how much ventilation as it also seems cold environments seem to see more spread like meat packing places.
I also think not letting children wear coats is absurd. Sitting still in inadequete clothing in cool tempretures isnt nice. Especially if its wet PE kit you havent been allowed to change out of as per my sons school.

At DS school (Berlin) windows are opened regularily but masks are still needed as the necessary air renewal rate cannot be guaranteed. We do not have prescriptive clothing, so whatever is warm and practical can be worn. DS wears gloves in class as his hands get cold easily.

Coats should absolutely be allowed if it’s cold.

If windows must be open then the students (and staff) should be allowed to wear coats as the weather becomes colder.

There is a link in the schools guidance to ventilation advice from HSE which in turn links to CIBSE (Chartered institute for Building and Structural Engineers iirc) guidance for all building types. Will go and look for the link.

It matters but isn't defined as it depends on layout of room, size, occupancy etc.

The colder the weather the less widely open the window needs to be as the airflow will be stronger.

Yes it makes a difference. But they should be able to
Wear coats or thick jumpers

Here is the guidance for FE which is also relevant:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/914981/S07299PrinciplesforrManagingSARS-CoV-22TransmissionAssociateddwithFurtherrEducation.pdf

and the CIBSE document:
www.cibse.org/coronavirus-covid-19/emerging-from-lockdown

The head is being a tw*t. Of course the kids should be able to keep warm!

This article summarised German research on why it is effective. I’m keeping my classroom windows open as much as possible and we are wearing coats in the classroom.

amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/30/germans-embrace-fresh-air-to-ward-off-coronavirus?__twitter_impression=true

Especially if its wet PE kit you havent been allowed to change out of as per my sons school

Well that's going to go well isn't it. So the kids get chills, have covid-type symptoms, and have to isolate and test. What on earth is wrong with these headteachers - are they completely devoid of common sense?

I do think keeping windows open is sensible, but the ban on coats or getting wet clothes off is simply ridiculous. Why do parents accept this sort of thing?

Ventilation is the most important control measure we have apart from not licking each other or wearing full medical grade PPE

https://www.rehva.eu/fileadmin/userupload/REHVAACOVID-19guidanceedocumentV33_03082020.pdf

Ignore the head and tell them to wear their coats. Good ventilation is is vital.

Screw that. Windows open. Coats on. It's a no brainier.

Auto correct fail. No brainer

What's the rationale behind no coats? Other than an absence of common sense and a blinkered "rules is rules" mentality.

Definitely windows open but isn’t there a minimum temperature to work in?16c I believe. We may not be there yet but it won’t be long. Banning coats is absurd!

@Terrace58

I would fight for students to wear whatever makes them comfortable. Coats, hats, and gloves should be entirely at student discretion.

Totally. Why the heck cant they wear coats? Ridiculous. They could bring in thick jumpers.