WITH summer now upon us and temperatures set to soar over the coming weeks, many parents will be wondering what this means for their kids at school.
What does the hot weather mean for school and do kids have to attend when its too warm?
Hot, sticky weather can make work and chores near unbearable at the height of the summer.
This is just as true for children in school as it is for their parents.
School closures can happen in severe weather such as snow and storm.
But hot weather brings its own set of regulations and guidance that applies to schools.
The government website says that school closures are not normally advised during hot weather.
It reads: “This is because school attendance is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential, and hot weather can usually be managed safely.
“School leaders should make sure they take any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable.”
While guidance sets out temperatures should be kept to a reasonable level indoors, there is no set limit that would see schools close.
However, school might be prompted to put certain measures in place such as relaxing uniform requirements.
“Children should wear loose, light-coloured clothing to help keep cool and sunhats with wide brims,” the government website says.
“When outdoors, encourage children to stay in the shade as much as possible.
“Sunscreen with high sun protection factors should be used to protect skin.
“Teachers should also encourage children to take off their blazers and jumpers.”
While the is no official maximum temperature, the National Education Union says 26C should be an appropriate point to trigger additional measures.
It says: “Other steps may also need to considered such as closing classrooms which are unacceptably hot and teaching classes elsewhere, or even sending pupils home, provided reasonable notice has been given to parents.
“It is important not to neglect security issues that will arise when windows and doors are left open, and to consider the risks posed by intruders.”
If children are sent home from school, parents don’t get a statutory right to be paid if they need an emergency day off with their kids.
It will be worth checking this with your employer as it can vary from workplace to workplace.
But if a school gets shut down, parents usually are entitled to unpaid time off to look after their children.
School teachers previously called for maximum legal temperatures to be set in classrooms amid a 2013 heatwave.
The NASUWT teaching union called for a maximum classroom temperature of 30C to be set.
However, the law remains unchanged to this date.
