Any other cold school staff out there?

[Flatwhite32]

First world problem, but I'm a primary teacher and my god school is freezing with all the windows open (which I know is necessary) and no heating. I'm wearing lots of layers, but I just feel so so cold during the day, and I've got a 30 weeks old baby inside me for some internal warmth! Anyone feeling the same?! Brrrrr.

This is surely counterproductive to learning? Cold definitely effects your concentration. I thought there was now PLENTY of evidence for the young children that Covid isn't really a 'worry' or 'danger' to them or spreading?
Something needs to be done.

Yes. I've switched to wool which is much warmer. Socks, vest, buff and hat!

I have two doors and some large dual-aspect windows that slide fully open. I am opening them all for a through-draught every hour or so, plus for the whole of break and lunchtime.
It's an OK balance for now, but today has only been the first cold day.
We'll see. I will be keeping a range of layers in the car/my stock cupboard.

Op, it's in d of e guide lines to put heating on and at the moment forget about the usual worries.

We have heating on and windows open. The heating definitely takes the edge off, it does not go out the window entirely. I have windows open all year round and have heating on. I like fresh air

Ie find this and tell them to get the heating on.

Heating should be on and temperatures reasonable ie 16 degrees. Dress code should be out the window. If with heating going full blast and you need some windows closed then so be it but make sure everything is open when room is unoccupied. It may be necessary to run heating overnight to stop temperatures dropping.

Scottish gov guidance on this is good. No excuse for England not managing this properly

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread...
But I bought DD (16) some base layers / termals from the outdoor store.

It's well worth the investment! ☃️

Just to say teachers and support staff you are doing AMAZING!!!!!!

Please know how much we appreciate all you do (along with nhs workers too)

So many teacher friends do this day in day out and are going above and beyond ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Sweet chili that is utterly repulsive.

They absolutely have to allow them to wear warn clothes, I'd massively kick off if I was you... Paper, mp... Local health, doctors....

We all need warm clothes, in some schools they say... Bring in blankets!! In Germany they are told too. We need ventilation, we need to be warm.

I certainly wouldn't take that lying down...

We’re in scotland so it’s definitely cold, windows are open in the school and my boys are still insisting on wearing shorts to school rather than trousers. Think they might be alright 😀.
Maybe we need to start ten minute exercises outside before every class (Chinese style) to warm everyone up. Hot water bottles? Reusable Hand warmers? Plug in electric blankets? I have some regatta soft shell trousers lined with fleece that are so cosy

Not being allowed to wear scarves, warm boots or a coat indoors under such circumstances is stupid and cruel. Bugger the silly uniform. Its absence makes no difference in the many parts of the world where it isn’t worn. How can a uniform be considered to be more important than a kid being able to write properly? Bonkers.

I know. Thanks her teeth were chattering when she has been coming out of school this week and she has had a warm shower every night as soon as she comes in to try and get warmed up. It used to be a struggle to persuade her to take a shower but she’s just cold to her bones. Its a fairly modern school building with big rooms and lots of very large high windows. In several lessons she has to sit next to an open window and has a headache with the cold as well as freezing hands in her GCSE year.

Might be something useful for school staff and parents in this link

neu.org.uk/advice/cold-weather-and-classroom-temperature-england

I would also suggest get emailing your mps about this.

If your school is cold put your twitter accounts etc to good use and get this info out there.

The government and the media don't want to talk about education unless it's in reference to the apparent blocks from the various unions.

@Sweetchillijam poor thing, that sounds awful. I put on more layers today, and being in the third trimester of pregnancy I looked like the bloody Michelin Man, but it did help a bit. Still felt really cold though, and am taking my marking home to do so I can do it in the warmth!

Yes I was working at home with no heating on a big fleecey jacket on and close to a kettle for warm drinks and I was cold without any open windows.

To all you teachers on this thread, my DD is a NQT, sec school, I'm thinking about warm Xmas presents, are you allowed wrist warmers, and to break the 'nothing below the elbows' rule, now?

I was sorely tempted to put my big, fleece onesie on this morning. The classroom I work in is bloody freezing (and I'm a hot bod - the poor teacher I work with is keeping a hot water bottle on her chair!) and I'm mostly supporting children towards the back of the room where the door is. My favourite part of the day is taking my phonics group into the hall because the kitchen staff have been cooking for hours by that point and it's lovely and warm!

We have been told we only need one high up window (if possible) open during lessons and then during break we open every window and the door to air it out. I only have one crap electric heater and it’s not too bad.

I do find when the kids go home it gets freezing without their combined heat 😆

Oneearring, I'm not staff anymore so hope you don't mind me answering - it really depends on the slt at her school unfortunately.

My sons school at the moment still haven't backed down.
The last school I worked in, wrap up as best you can. THey are also using hot water bottles and heated pads amongst staff and students.

@dublingirl66 I have screen shotted your post for when I'm having a bad day, thank you.

I feel for you all. Including the children
It sounds utterly miserable and dreadful
As for tea king in a mask
What kind of new fuckery is that

Poor kids and I’m so sorry for any of you reduced to this level...it’s getting beyond a joke.
We had none of this when Asian flu went round the country.

@dublingirl66 thank you so so much! Your kind words really do mean a lot! X

I don't mind so far. I feel better thinking we aren't breathing the same stale air all day. Remember most classrooms are a long way from a door that opens to the outside world, it's not like a house. Layers help, and the children look pleased when I tell them they can wear their coats (which makes me think some don't allow it, which I think is just wrong)

The mask certainly warms your face