Summary of Measures at Wallace Fields For Handling the Heat
- Children must bring a water bottle every day
- Sports Day is postponed due to high temperatures
- Regular refill times are built into the school day
- Children may wear PE kit all week
- Apply sunscreen before school and practise reapplication
- No jumpers recommended during hot weather
- Classrooms have fans and air conditioning where needed
- Use of shaded outdoor spaces for some lessons
- Lunchtimes include compulsory shade times and rest periods
- A supervised sprinkler time with time enough to dry off
- Staff will closely monitor hydration and wellbeing throughout the day
- Additional shade provided on the field
- Shortened Bikeability sessions
As we experience unusually high temperatures this week, I would like to reassure you that the school is taking all necessary measures to ensure the environment remains safe, comfortable and supportive for all children. The wellbeing of our pupils is always our highest priority, and we are responding carefully to the current conditions.
We have put several additional arrangements in place throughout the school day. Classrooms are equipped with fans and portable air conditioning units where needed to ensure the classroom environment remains comfortable and teachers will make use of outdoor shaded areas, including the shade sail and the outdoor classroom, whenever it is appropriate to do so.
Children will have frequent opportunities to stay hydrated. Planned water refill times are built into lesson transitions, playtimes and lunchtimes, and there are several water sources available to the children during breaks and in lessons. Whistle reminders will also be used to prompt children to drink water and refill their bottles during breaks. Having a water bottle in school is essential, and we will be contacting parents directly if a child does not bring one.
At lunchtime, additional shaded seating has been arranged to encourage calm, restful social time. The latter part of the lunchtime is enforced shade time (not optional) so running around for extended periods will be restricted. A carefully monitored sprinkler session will also be available, giving children an opportunity to cool down safely, followed by enough time to dry off. This is very popular with the children and helps them regulate their temperature by keeping them cool.
To help children remain comfortable, they may wear their PE kit every day for the remainder of this week. We also encourage children not to wear jumpers in these temperatures.
Bikeability sessions (Y6) have been shortened to ensure they are concluded in lower temperatures.
We kindly ask parents to support us by ensuring children arrive at school with sunscreen already applied, and that they understand how to reapply it during the day. Please also encourage them to drink plenty of water before, during and after school.
Due to the high temperatures, we have made the decision to postpone Sports Day. We appreciate that this may cause some inconvenience, however the safety and comfort of the children must come first. Due to the logistics behind Sports Day a new date will be planned, discussed and then you will be notified directly of the new date.
We are confident that, by working together, we can ensure all children remain safe, comfortable and able to enjoy their time in school, even in these challenging conditions.
Conveying a message of sensible behaviours, keeping hydrated and keeping calm will help your child enjoy their day. Thank you for your continued support