School closure due to heat

It’s only a couple of days. Working parents are used to sudden collapse of their complicated childcare plans. They coped during a couple of years during Covid.
I don’t think children should be at school in a heatwave. Here, from age four, they have a long walk down steep hills then back up when they are tired at the end of the school day. The secondary school is further away up another steep hill. Not many adults are walking two miles to work.

Magenta8 I have little sympathy for schools closing on a summers day because it is going to be hot…

Grandma70s

Schools are not babysitters. Children are the responsibility of their parents.

I agree that schools are not there to babysit Grandma70s but, with respect, I think you are missing the point.

It is much more difficult to plan round unscheduled school closures.

Many parents have to structure work round the children which means that they have to arrange holiday clubs, child minders etc. for times when the children are not at school. This is sometimes tricky even with reasonable notice but if unforeseen closures happen at very short notice it can be a nightmare.

GrannyGravy13 I fail to see the connection between schools being obliged to close because of the weather and parents feeling entitled to take children out of school for family holidays. I have no sympathy for parents who think it is acceptable.

Whst a lovely memory. And what a profound thought for a small child. Did he turn out to be a deep thinker?

Apparently I said to my mother at 4 "if I wasn't inside me who would be inside looking out?
That probably was the peak of my deep thoughts!!

Since then I have been a person of hidden shallows

Grandma70s

Schools are not babysitters. Children are the responsibility of their parents.

But when parents are employees, getting their work done can also be critical, so in many cases taking leave at short-notice means not living up to their responsibilities to the business that employs them.

Not sure what the answer is, but it's not that no mothers should go back to work until their children are 14 or responsible enough to spend a day at home alone, surely.

I wonder if staff have to go in?

What an interesting question from such a youngster.

My memory of that time is lovely. I hadn't gone back to work yet. I used to put the children aged 5 and 3 to bed in the afternoon, and in the evening we all used to have supper in the garden together and go for a night walk. Sometimes we went with another family to the downs and made a fire to sit round and gaze at the stars. "Does time go on forever?" asked DS aged 5.

GrannyGravy13

If schools can close (with minimal notice) due to heat or snow, is it any wonder parents feel entitled to take their children out in term time for family holidays 🤦‍♀️

Yes it is a wonder that such parents can’t see the difference

I remember the heatwave in the 70's. The only provision my school made was that boys were allowed to take their ties off. Schools didn't close and although I agree that schools aren't babysitters, the economy relies on parents going to work whilst their children are at school.

If schools can close (with minimal notice) due to heat or snow, is it any wonder parents feel entitled to take their children out in term time for family holidays 🤦‍♀️

Thank goodness we've moved on from 1976!

I was on another thread earlier about how unprepared we are as a country for extreme heatwaves...housing, schools etc. Schools are mostly outdated with vast windows and flat roofs. It is hard for parents to have to struggle round this due to work and commitments. But I think in extreme weather situations most employers will understand this week. On the news this morning companies were urged to put measures in place. I think many workplaces know they will have to cope with a bit of chaos. A school shutting is at the discretion of the Headteacher. Many schools are intolerable in these temperatures for children and teachers. Nothing we can do about it but accept it. And push out local MP's on better school buildings.

Schools are not babysitters. Children are the responsibility of their parents.

For goodness sake!
1976 was boiling hot almost ever day from May onwards. No schools closed, everyone still went to work. We got married in the July. Wedding dress fashion then was long sleeves and high neck.

Erica23

If the school is closed parents are able to take the time off from work, but may not get paid for it, depending who they work for. I suspect many grandparents will be busy, not me though I’m on holiday

Yes, by law they can have “ UNPAID” leave.

That’s no help at all to those who need their pay to live or those who might have children in different schools or setting.

Common sense is required?

Plenty of water to drink, no PE, doors and windows ajar, blinds partially closed and plenty of breaks.

This weather is going nowhere, we have to adjust.

If the school is closed parents are able to take the time off from work, but may not get paid for it, depending who they work for. I suspect many grandparents will be busy, not me though I’m on holiday

My Granddaughters sons school is closed he’s 7 her daughters nursery said they’d prefer parents not to bring their children in she’s 2 and my Granddaughter works from home so she’s really going to struggle this week. I know it’s for the children’s well-being but a lot of people are going to be affected.