What is your private school doing about the hot weather?

[CuntOfTheLitter]

What’s your private school doing about the weather! We’re in the north west so not in the same situation as those down south.

In 30c heat yesterday the only adjustment was PE kit. There was no water offered, no fans anywhere and they were expected to grind through a day in school as always.

I would not go into a non air conditioned office in the sort of weather we’re expecting today so decided to keep my kids off instead.

I went to school in Brussels and we have bouts of weather like this. School didn’t close but there were fans in every classroom and plenty water etc. we got through it fine. This was 35 years ago!

Im Annoyed that our school
is so tight that it hasn’t bothered to buy fans - I’m certain the headmaster and other staff will have them in their offices. Just wondering what other private schools (ie not crippled by state under funding) are doing?

School open as normal. All wearing PE kit.

Luckily, it’s a senior school and all the Year 11s and 13s have already left. So enough space to move all classes into the various air con parts of the school.

Dining hall also has air con so that’s ok.

All sports fixtures cancelled. Kids allowed to use the indoor pool instead.

DC is in school in zone 2 London - so it’s pretty hot compared to other parts of the UK. Some pupils also travelling in on very hot public transport.
Some new buildings have air conditioning whereas majority of the school is old and doesn’t. No complaints about the heat - they have the option to wear PE kit, have lots of water and have been advised to let teachers know of they feel unwell.
School have sent comms to that effect to parents.
The concept of the school closing has not even entered DC’s mind. All seems to be carrying on as normal (except PE/games).

What on earth is all this "PE kit" allowed? Why oh why do you not have sensible school uniforms in the UK so they can be worn on hot days?

Don’t ask us, we don’t make the rules!

Tbh, I don’t see much difference between PE kit and the uniform at our schools: short sleeve white shirt and skirt Vs PE T-shirt and skort.
I think the uniform is actually more comfortable for this weather but it’s probably the psychology of being in sports wear rather than normal uniform.

Agreed. My daughter’s cotton school dress is much cooler than their PE kit, which is quite thick and dark coloured.

South West here - it’s been above 30 degrees every day this week. PE kit allowed, only two rooms in whole school with AC. They’ve been at school every day as normal.

Ours said PE kit allowed but hasn't stopped PE (2 hour lessons expected as normal) and ran out of ice creams in tuck shop on day 1. I have bought dd home as they only have a few classrooms with aircon and her dorm is about 38 degrees!

Well I don’t know that the summer uniform is not sensible or anything. The boys wear short sleeved white shirts with shorts and the girls summer dresses. However, the boys shorts are quite a thick suiting type material with a polyester lining, fine if it’s 25 degrees, but when it’s 35 they will be cooler in the PE kit because the shorts are thin sporty ones. Also they’re doing a lot of water play at break and the PE kit is moisture wicking fabric so will dry quickly in the sun and avoid them needing a change.

my child’s uniform code is strict but the uniform is generally fine in the summer: shorts for the boys and skirts/dresses for the girls. But when it tops 26 degrees (we don’t cope with your English heat 😅) I think it’s nice to give the option of the PE kit as the gym shorts are lighter than school shorts/skirt. For the young girls the gingham dresses are definitely the coolest summer uniform.

SW school

Boarders are in, but day girls leave at lunchtime if they wish.
Fans, air con and individual mist sprays.
No lessons in the afternoon, but gentle activities of their choice, such as reading under a tree.
Lots of swimming.
Ice lollies each afternoon.
Picnic lunches in the shade.
Boarding houses are kept very cool, do sleep isn't affected.
PE kit for uniform.

Private prep in the SE. Shuffled the timetable to try to only use the classrooms with aircon. Summer uniform or pe kit allowed. Access to water as needed. No ball games or running around at break. I am not sure how much more they can realistically do tbh.