13th July 2022

 

Heatwave Warning & High Temperatures Advisory - Important Please Read

Dear Parents/Carers

With the recent extremely hot weather and more on the way, we have been provided with advice from the Local Authority in line with DfE, UKHSA, HSE and NHS guidance of measures to prevent symptoms of heat and sun exhaustion. Children, the elderly and people with long-term health conditions (like diabetes or heart problems) are more at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

 

General measures in school:

Clothing

• Children are still expected to wear school colours, but we will be a little more relaxed and children should wear loose light clothing where possible,. Children should NOT wear jumpers or coats and will be asked to remove these when in school. 
• Children should wear a hat when outside (preferably brimmed or caps with a neck cover).
• Please make sure all clothing and hats have the child's name on them.

Fluids

• Children can re-fill their school water bottles from the fresh water coolers we have located around school. Please make sure your child has a water bottle in school. 
• Children will be encouraged to drink more water throughout the day.

Sunscreen

• Parents should make sure ALL children wear sunscreen (at least factor 15 with UVA protection) before they come to school. Children can bring sunscreen from home (please put the child's name on it), it should be given to the child's class teacher.
• Children should apply their own sunscreen in school (school do not provide sunscreen) as some children can be allergic to some creams.
  • For pupils not old enough to self-manage / carry their sunscreen, staff in each class should store the creams, give them out before breaks, supervise the children self applying their own creams, and then collect the cream back in after application.
  • If children cannot self-apply cream, written parental permission should be provided for staff to apply the cream.
  • If pupils fail to bring in hats and cream it may be necessary to limit or prevent them from outside activities or ensure they are in the shade if they are at risk of sunburn.
  • Alternatively, you may wish to apply all day sun block to your children before they come to school.  This may be checked with the parent if no sun screen is provided for your child.

Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke:

• We will ensure staff and pupils (where appropriate) are aware of the signs and symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke and the steps to take if they / others feel unwell.

 

Indoor areas:

• Windows and doors will open to allow as much air circulation as possible.
• Window blinds will be closed to cut down on the heating effects of the sun.
• Where possible, we may consider moving groups of children to cooler rooms; eg school hall.
• We will turn off non‑essential lights and electrical equipment / electrical equipment when not in use – they generate heat.
• Take regular breaks to cool down in warm situations.
• We will limit some planned activities and in particular physical activity and will have regular breaks to cool down and get drinks.

 

Outdoor activities:

Breaks / outdoor lessons:

• In very hot / sunny weather we will reduce break / lesson times outside and carry these out in shaded areas where possible.
• In hot weather we will limit physical exertion activities and allow plenty of opportunities to get drinks. We will limit or may feel the need to stop physical break activities such as football when the temperature is extremely high. Guidance is that “children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days, such as when temperatures are in excess of 30°C”.
• Children will be encouraged to make use of the more shaded areas of the playground when outside.
• Children will be encouraged to wear hats, and regular apply sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids.

 

Sporting Activities:

• If possible, sports activities will be held in early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun.
• Shady areas should be chosen for activities where available.

• We will limit / reduce activities to reduce the time outside in the sun or timetabling groups / rotating who is outside in the sun and bringing other groups inside / into the shade when not taking part in activities.

 

Outdoor events

• Shady areas will be chosen for activities where available.
• We will ensure pupils are wearing hats, regularly applying sunscreen and drinking plenty of fluids.
• We will be limiting / reducing activities to reduce the time outside in the sun or timetabling groups / rotating who is outside in the sun and bringing other groups inside / into the shade when not taking part in activities.

 

Educational Visits:

• If possible, outdoor activities should be done in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun.
• Shady areas will be chosen for activities where available
• We will encourage pupils to wear hats, regularly apply sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids.
• Loose light clothing should be worn that covers the back, shoulders and at least the upper arms.
• For transport, we will ensure any vehicles used have air conditioning and / or openable windows.  If blinds are fitted these should be used if windows are not shaded and are in direct sunlight.

If you have any further questions or concerns please contact school via email: info@ingramroad.org.uk or telephone 0113 2456136.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Miss S Millard

Headteacher 

 

Further Information

 

Heatwave Plan for England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Beat the heat: keep cool at home checklist - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

HSE - Managing workplace temperature

Cancer Research - The Sun and UV 

 

Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke – from Heat exhaustion and heatstroke - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.