Our schools and pupils have coped very well with the recent hot weather, which looks set to continue for the rest of this week. While we all accept that the current weather means it is not ‘business as usual’ we wanted to share with families the pragmatic steps, that sometimes go unnoticed, that our schools are taking to deal with the hot weather.
Ventilation and cooling: Staff are propping windows and doors to open promote cross-ventilation while closing blinds to block direct sunlight. Over the last three years the Trust has installed many wall mounted fans electric fans in classrooms to aid cooling. Where a specific classroom gets particularly hot arrangements are made with the Head of School to utilise other areas, like gyms or halls, to provide a cooler space. Some schools have air con in a classroom or two and these spaces are being timetabled to ensure that all classes can benefit from them for a given time.
Uniform adjustments: Our schools are taking a relaxed approach to the uniform rules and allowing the wearing of appropriate alternative clothing;
Modified activities: Our teachers are cancelling or significantly reducing vigorous physical activity. Games and PE lessons are being adapted to focus on less vigorous activities in cooler environments;
Enhanced hydration: Students are being encouraged to bring and drink plenty of cool water and children have access taps and drinking fountains to allow them to top their bottles up during the day;
Shade and sun protection: We are directing pupils to shaded areas during outdoor breaks and encouraging the use of sun cream and sun hats when appropriate. Over the last three years we have invested in many shade gazebos which have been put up on schools fields to provide some shade;
While this weather is unusual for the UK we have to note that other countries routinely deal with those kind of temperatures without disruption to education. We are very mindful of the fact that many of our parents are needed at work, cannot easily make alternative childcare arrangements, and that temperatures at home will not generally be any lower than they are at school. We are taking a case by case approach to children with medical needs and making sure they are safe and well cared for and so far a good atmosphere prevails in all of our schools. Pegasus schools will be closed on Friday for a long planned INSET day. We thank our families for all their good humour and support.
Jolyon Roberts
