UK government's rules about kids going to school in a heatwave explained
Questions have been raised over schooling protocols as the UK prepares for the warmest June on record.
The Met Office confirmed earlier today (22 June) that a red weather warning for extreme heat would be in place for parts of both England and Wales from Wednesday (24 June) and would remain until the following evening.
It comes after an Amber heatwave warning was issued on Monday morning, which is expected to last until then.
Meanwhile, South East Water has asked its customers to use water sparingly, and Great Western Railway has predicted major delays and cancellations as trains abide by speed restrictions. A critical incident has also been reported in Surrey already, as hospital staff across the nation brace themselves for extreme levels of demand, exacerbated by scorching temperatures, minimal shade and high humidity.
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Many people have already turned to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for advice ahead of this week's heatwave, especially with regard to the health and safety of their children.
Mums and dads up and down the country have asked whether their kids are still expected to attend school during such unprecedentedly harsh weather.
Unlike yellow and amber weather warnings, Wednesday's red alert indicates a significant risk to health for the wider population, which means that schools and early years environments will be expected to review their actions to manage heat for all of their pupils and staff members.
Are schools closing due to the heatwave?
The UK government doesn't usually advise a school to close in response to hot weather, given the country's increasingly strict ban on parents taking their children out of school for non-essential reasons, and the fact that high temperatures can usually be managed safely.
Often, this involves relaxing in-house uniform rules to make students feel more comfortable - allowing them to wear looser, lighter-coloured clothing, as well as sun-hats - and offering sunscreen with high sun protection.
Staff will also be responsible for making sure children aren't taking part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days, following instructions from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), so as to protect their health.
Schools will also have to encourage cross ventilation in the single-sided classrooms by opening doors and windows before temperatures climb too high, and closing them once the air outside gets hotter than the air indoors.
The UKHSA also recommends that electrical lighting be used sparingly and equipment turned off in 'standby mode' to stop needless heat generation. It's not recommended that mechanical fans be used once temperatures have climbed higher than 35 degrees, as this could worsen heat-caused illnesses.
Lastly, it's vital for staff to remain abreast of their students' hydration levels.
Symptoms of heat stress
Different levels of heat stress in young people can present in different ways. At a basic level, this can include symptoms like:
- Seeming out of character, or showing signs of discomfort and irritability
- These worsening with physical activities
- Dark urine and dry nappies in infants and toddlers
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
These symptoms usually kick in when the stress has increased to heat exhaustion:
- Tiredness
- Fizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
Symptoms of heatstroke
In heatstroke, children might suffer symptoms like:
- Confusion or lack of coordination
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- High body temperature (above 40°C)
- Red, hot skin that can be sweaty or dry
- Fast heartbeat
- Fast shallow breathing
- Diarrhoea
For more information, visit the UK government's Education Hub.
Rhianna Benson