Schools Relax Uniform Rules as UK Heatwave Hits
Schools across the UK are relaxing uniform rules and encouraging parents to make changes ahead of the sweltering heatwave this week. The Met Office has issued 4-day amber heat warnings for much of the country, including Birmingham, starting from 1am on Monday, June 22, and lasting until Thursday, June 25, at 11.59pm. Temperatures are forecast to reach 38C at times.
Full List of Schools Making Changes
Whitchurch High School in Cardiff has told WalesOnline it is putting “sensible arrangements in place to help students remain safe and comfortable.” The school advises students to wear a cap or hat when outside and apply sunscreen before school.
Sheldon School in Wiltshire, Chippenham, is allowing students to wear full PE kit or school uniform without a tie or jumper from Monday.
St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, has replaced black asphalt playgrounds with artificial turf, refurbished the roof, and installed air conditioning in half the school.
Official Guidance and Union Calls
Labour Party guidance states: "Schools could consider relaxing uniform rules during hot weather to make sure pupils are comfortable." It recommends children wear loose, light-coloured clothing, sunhats with wide brims, and stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunscreen with high sun protection factors should be used.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU teaching union, told Tes: “A maximum working temperature for schools would encourage investment into making schools heat-resilient, with mitigations such as air conditioning, which would protect learning, the important exam period, and keep staff and children safe and comfortable.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "We'll always look closely at what schools need and I do recognise that some of the temperature fluctuations that we see, and particularly some of the hot weather in recent years, can make life really difficult for teachers and staff and can kind of have an impact on children's learning as well."
