How cold is OK

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It's a school but I'm not sure that's particularly relevant.

We're all in, vast majority happy to be in and supporting our children and families. But we are soooooo cold. Windows are open because we're advised ventilation is key and that makes sense, but it was 11 degrees in my office today!

I honestly don't know what to do for the best. Insist people freeze or let them close the windows!

I've been home 45 mins but I haven't taken my coat or boots off yet, still thawing

I think you all need a safe working environment.

That means adequately warm (over 18 degrees), ventilated, socially distanced and mask wearing.

If that's not provided then school management need to rethink their plan.

As working in temperatures of 11 degrees is neither healthy nor conducive to learning.

But hey I'm not a teacher

Good luck x

Is the heating on? In my school we have all doors and windows open but the heating is on. As usually it’s like a bloody furnace when the heating is on (I have taught in a sleeveless top when there has been snow on the ground) it’s not too bad. We are all being encouraged to layer up and everyone can wear coats in classrooms if necessary. If you are sitting still you will be more cold than if you are moving about. Maybe get up and move around more - I’m definitely warmer teaching than I am during non-contact time.

My son is going to school in underlayers (the Lycra top and leggings he wears for footie) long sleeved top, uniform, coat, hat, scarf and gloves and is freezing cold and uncomfortable. It was 7 degrees all day today. He’s not a precious little snowflake but I will keep him home if the temperature drops more as I think it’s unacceptable to have small children freezing in their classrooms. And their teachers of course!

@herecomesthsun

I think you all need a safe working environment.

That means adequately warm (over 18 degrees), ventilated, socially distanced and mask wearing.

If that's not provided then school management need to rethink their plan.

As working in temperatures of 11 degrees is neither healthy nor conducive to learning.

But hey I'm not a teacher

Good luck x

There is no legal maximum and minimum temperature for working in.

The reason I know this because it always comes up on very hot days in the UK on what the maximum and minimum temperatures you are allowed to work in. Plus Sainsbury's for years has very low heating in their larger stores near me so all their staff work in fleeces with seemingly layers underneath.

Linky - www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures#:~:text=During%20working%20hours%20the%20temperature,employees%20are%20doing%20physical%20work.

www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures

www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures

[quote RedMarauder]www.gov.uk/workplace-temperatures[/quote]
It does say however that temperatures must be kept at a comfortable level. Very difficult to argue that 11 degrees meets that requirement!

Sounds like you need more heating with windows still open? Have noticed the school I work in doesn't seem to have any windows open in the classrooms. Seems very strange to me, not to have them open at least a crack at the moment.. 11 degrees definately seems too cold though x

Are they doing this in primary classes too? My child is in the first year of school and hasn't mentioned windows being open all day / getting v cold, but she wouldn't necessarily tell me. Nothing has been mentioned by the school. Bit worried now

I’ve received a letter from school advising to put a vest on due to the extra ventilation. Hopefully they’ll limit just how cold it can go.

I’m a teacher and as long as I have to be in the classroom my windows will be open. I’m pregnant and not risking my health or that of my unborn child in a badly ventilated classroom that is crammed full. No thanks! Extra layers are needed!

I’m a teacher and as long as I have to be in the classroom my windows will be open. I’m pregnant and not risking my health or that of my unborn child in a badly ventilated classroom that is crammed full. No thanks! Extra layers are needed!

@PolkadotGiraffe yep, but with officials and authorities you need to argue exactly the right points - even if they are technicalities - otherwise they will ignore you or discard your arguments.

@PolkadotGiraffe yep, but with officials and authorities you need to argue exactly the right points - even if they are technicalities - otherwise they will ignore you or discard your arguments.

My ds school have said no coats. He rarely feels the cold. (Prob wears a coat 15 days of the year) I collected him today and his hands were like ice. He did actually have his coat on today but not allowed to wear in class. He's situated next to window too.
He said heating wasn't on as they said that's a waste of money letting it straight out the window.!

I get the regulations, I get no one should be at risk. I'm thankful for the teachers etc buyt we're not even in winter yet.
They should at least wear a coat if needed.

11 degrees "cold"?

It's not that cold and its nowhere near "freezing"

I have just posted about my daughter being given an extra jumper because her lips were purple at school today...

@Flaxmeadow it is if you're constantly sat down though. I wouldn't want to WFH if it was 11c

it is if you're constantly sat down though. I wouldn't want to WFH if it was 11c

For a child, or the elderly/vulnerble, yes they should be kept warm, but the OP is in an office.

For most healthy adults 11 degrees is bearable if you're wearing the right clothes. But I suppose we're all different

I used to work on an outdoor market in winter so maybe I'm used to it

Our LA advice is that at least two windows are ajar during lessons, not wide open. Then when the kids go to break or leave the classroom, everything is opened wide to let a blast through and closed to 'ajar' when the kids come back in.
18 degrees is the accepted temperature though.

I asked on my daughters school page in August what was the plan for winter RE ventilation and if the school planned to relax the uniform policy and allow jumpers and/or coats to be worn in class if the windows need to be open and got told off for "being negative" and accused of not wanting schools to open and to keep by some other parents. Nothing could be further from the truth and to be honest my teen sleeps with a thin sheet in herself all year round and never seems to feel the cold so I wasn't expecting it to be an issue for her, I was thinking of parents kicking off when their kids start saying it's cold and demanding window be shut.

Local primary school had a dad kicking off about the windows and someone suggested trousers and jumper and he refuses that because he and the mum like how the dress looks better and a jumper over a dress makes the dress ride up and the school should just close the windows.