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Original poster

Will heating be allowed in schools this year.

128 replies

Kales29 · 04/09/2021 21:09

Do you think? Obviously I can find this out once they go back in a few days.

But last year my kids schools and other schools didn't have the heating on and windows/doors open for ventilation. Which I totally get there's a reason for!

Poor Dd really suffered. She feels the cold. She has joint issues and the cold doesn't help. This is specified in her EHCP which she has for other reasons too.

Despite this they sat her right by the door/window (literally right by it, couldn't get any closer to the cold!). She would wear 3 layers, tights etc but she'd still be cold and stiff after school. I had to suggest her being moved but I felt guilty as another child would have to swap with her and they would then feel the cold then!

It was so hard!

Hopefully it won't be too cold for a couple months at least!

Still very warm where I live atm.

OP posts:
DrMadelineMaxwell · 04/09/2021 21:13

Our school was heated last year. Windows open meant it didn't stay warm but the radiators were still all on.

MsAwesomeDragon · 04/09/2021 21:14

I don't know why they didn't have the heating on at her school, that wasn't a formal restriction. My school had the heating on full blast but it was still freezing in my classroom because of the 6 windows and a fire door that were constantly open. It was boiling hot in the classrooms that have fewer/no opening windows though, so it was really difficult for kids to know how many layers to wear.

Ventilation is really important in slowing the spread of the virus, and it's literally the only mitigation we're allowed in schools, but we've also been told that children's "thermal comfort" needs to be considered. So the heating should be on, and windows may well not be open all the time, possibly just at break/lunch, or for a few minutes every hour.

Original poster
Kales29 · 04/09/2021 21:15

@DrMadelineMaxwell

Our school was heated last year. Windows open meant it didn't stay warm but the radiators were still all on.
Thanks. No heating whatsoever at kids school and windows/doors open. I guess it would be pointless to put it with the windows and doors open!

I may try but her some thermal tights or leggings or something. Sure they can't say not to warm leggings under skirts if she's cold and they match the uniform??

OP posts:
Original poster
Kales29 · 04/09/2021 21:17

@MsAwesomeDragon

I don't know why they didn't have the heating on at her school, that wasn't a formal restriction. My school had the heating on full blast but it was still freezing in my classroom because of the 6 windows and a fire door that were constantly open. It was boiling hot in the classrooms that have fewer/no opening windows though, so it was really difficult for kids to know how many layers to wear.

Ventilation is really important in slowing the spread of the virus, and it's literally the only mitigation we're allowed in schools, but we've also been told that children's "thermal comfort" needs to be considered. So the heating should be on, and windows may well not be open all the time, possibly just at break/lunch, or for a few minutes every hour.

Thank you. I totally get why they need the ventilation. Just feeling a little anxious about it!
OP posts:
Cattitudes · 04/09/2021 21:19

I would contact them now and remind them of the EHCP and the need to consider her placement in the room for seating plans in case they need to ventilate the room. Much better to go in with her in warmer spot this year than have to get a child to swap again.

SandyStarfish · 04/09/2021 21:23

I don't know but I hope so. I work in school and I was so cold every single day I suffered from chilblains on my fingers until spring. My nails have grown with dents in where the nail bed was damaged.

Original poster
Kales29 · 04/09/2021 21:24

@Cattitudes

I would contact them now and remind them of the EHCP and the need to consider her placement in the room for seating plans in case they need to ventilate the room. Much better to go in with her in warmer spot this year than have to get a child to swap again.
Thank you. They had the tables set out individually last year so 2 on each . I'm not sure if the set up within the classroom which might enable them to move all of them away from the door hopefully.

Plus I don't know the layout of her new classroom yet! Tbf it's only just crossed my mind again! This year is going too fast!

OP posts:
Original poster
Kales29 · 04/09/2021 21:26

@SandyStarfish

I don't know but I hope so. I work in school and I was so cold every single day I suffered from chilblains on my fingers until spring. My nails have grown with dents in where the nail bed was damaged.
Oh no! Not nice for you or anyone! I don't think I would cope. I really suffer with the temperature. I get way too hot in the summer but shiver so much in the winter to the point I can't warm up!

Mind you, my eldest wears shorts all year and doesn't feel the cold at all! So it didn't affect him at all last year! 😅 I had to try and convince him to wear trousers with no luck!

OP posts:
SandyStarfish · 04/09/2021 21:29

Most of the children didn't seem as affected as us adults, but send your child with thermal vest etc just in case. And a spare hoodie in their bag maybe? I think I am going to wear some kind of gloves this year to prevent the chilblains, but not sure what type is practical

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 04/09/2021 21:29

@Kales29 the heating should definitely be on, but with windows open there's still likely to be a chill. I made DD some wrist warmers and a snood from an old pair of fleece PJs last year and she said they worked really well to keep her warm, and she could still write and draw with the wrist warmers rather than gloves.

If you don't sew then you can buy them, I'm just cheap and have a sewing machine 😂

Here's a snood tutorial mybrightideasblog.com/sew-fleece-snood-neck-warmer-just-minutes/

I just drew round her hand for a template for the wrist warmers.

Verbena87 · 04/09/2021 21:34

We had windows open but heating cranked up. It was still a bit chilly.

I’d get her in trousers if they’re comfy for her, then get some merino long johns and a vest to go under. Cambridge Baby website have good ones, or sports pursuit sometimes have them cheap. Wool thermals are way warmer than others, less sweaty if you do get hot, and merino isn’t itchy. (This is how I coped as the teacher!)

Forgothowmuchlhatehomeschoolin · 04/09/2021 21:35

Can she not have a little hot water bottle op? How can she be expected to learn if she is freezing cold, poor thing.

ahste · 04/09/2021 21:36

We had doors and windows open with the heating on all last year. It was chilly but not awful.

SequinsandStiIettos · 04/09/2021 21:41

Secondary. Been told windows have to stay open this year and to layer up/wear an extra cardi.
The radiators were also on though just wasting energy as the hot air went out the window

mineofuselessinformation · 04/09/2021 21:50

In my school, any form of blown air (eg air conditioning or the really old hot air heaters) was not allowed.
I'm waiting to see what's allowed this year - as we're no longer in bubbles, I'm based in 'my' room - and it has old-fashioned heaters that blow warm air using the hot water system.

Thewiseoneincognito · 04/09/2021 21:56

I’d be more relieved they’re ventilating the classroom so she’s less at risk of picking up Covid. Maybe buy her some thermal layers?

LegendaryReady · 04/09/2021 22:02

We had extra heaters. It was all a bit pointless and wasteful of course but even dragon Business Managers weren't going to tell teachers working in those conditions they couldn't have an electric radiator. I'd like to see one survive who said the heating had to be turned off entirely Grin

This year, they shouldn't need to open windows quite so much. That's what the CO2 monitors are for. Uidance is that windows are to be opened before and after class and only during when the CO2 monitor indicates ventilation is inadequate.

I wore merino wool socks over my tights inside my boots. Warm feet make all the difference.

Wolfiefan · 04/09/2021 22:07

I really suffer with the cold and it makes my fibro pain much worse.
Thermals.
Decent socks. Maybe boots too.
Wrist warmers helped me.
I often have a lap blanket.
If she has joint issues then the school should be making reasonable adjustments. Poor kid. Sad

Warhertisuff · 04/09/2021 22:12

@Thewiseoneincognito

I’d be more relieved they’re ventilating the classroom so she’s less at risk of picking up Covid. Maybe buy her some thermal layers?
But being in a cold and draughty environment makes people more susceptible to illness... Bit of a catch 22!
Peteycat · 04/09/2021 22:13

Why on earth wouldn't they have the heating on?

Warhertisuff · 04/09/2021 22:16

Of course they should have the heating on.

Of course, it won't be as warm as it would be if the windows were shut, but it should take the edge off.

Hardchoices · 04/09/2021 22:17

If you can, get her uniform that is purely man made ie polyester. That type of material allows no airflow so will retain heat. Also can you sen she Ros with this clicks handwarmwrs. Who would know if she had one in her pocket to hold or even tucked in a shoe.

Peteycat · 04/09/2021 22:19

If kids are freezing in schools because they don't put the heating on, parents need to complain and demand an explanation. Why would children be made to be cold all day? I just can't understand this at all.

Peteycat · 04/09/2021 22:21

Schools are annoying me at the moment, shite lunches, turning the heating off. Kids are suffering because of penny pinching. Right now they should be our absolute priority, keep them healthy and well.

ToooOldForThis · 04/09/2021 22:23

Oh I think I'd purposely blocked out my memories of how cold it was in school last year 😅
I was teaching most days in coat and hat!
Don't know what her particular needs are or what age she is but I had my primary class up and moving a LOT, walks round the playground, bbc supermovers on the board etc. It was manageable as long as they weren't stuck in their seats for too long