Hot and Cold Weather Policy

HOT WEATHER POLICY

INFORMATION

This policy has been drawn up in order to create guidelines in the event of extreme hot weather. Extreme hot weather is defined in this policy as temperatures over 36 degrees Celsius.

RISKS

The main risks of extreme hot weather are:

Dehydration due to excessive perspiration and respiration.
Overheating.
Heat exhaustion – symptoms are nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headaches, pale skin, muscle weakness and cramps.
Heatstroke – develops if heat exhaustion isn’t treated or can come on suddenly and is potentially fatal. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, intense thirst, sleepiness, confusion, aggression, convulsions, loss of consciousness.

ACTIONS - EVERYDAY

Children should wear a sun hat at all times when outside. If they do not have a hat they should stay in shaded areas.
Parents should either apply sun screen to their child before school or send in sun screen for the child to apply at school.
Children should be encouraged to drink regularly, and time will be provided before and after breaks for children to have water. Parents should send a water bottle in to school.
Physical and/or strenuous activity should be reduced.
At the discretion of the teacher afternoon play may be restricted for EYFS and KS1 children when the temperature is 36 degrees Celsius or above.
Temperature to be monitored hourly.
If the temperature reaches 40 degrees, children are to come inside. Teddies and Nursery teachers may use their discretion and bring their children inside earlier.
Staff should be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If any child demonstrates symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, they should be allowed a water break and taken in to a cool environment. If symptoms persist they should be immediately sent to the school nurse.
Staff should also be aware of any of any medical condition in their students that may be exacerbated by excessive heat (asthma, diabetes, allergy, epilepsy etc). However, there is no reason to limit their participation, unless a known risk is obvious or the parent has advised the school that their child should not participate.

ACTIONS – PE

If the temperature reaches above 36 degrees Celsius, all lessons will be modified due to the extreme heat. If the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or above all PE lessons will be indoors in air-conditioned facilities.
The frequency of water breaks increases with the level of temperature but any student who shows signs of heat exhaustion or overheating should be allowed a water break or an opportunity to come into an air-conditioned environment. It is imperative that if a student communicates to a PE teacher about symptoms of a heat related context they should limit and or stop all physical activity and go to a cool place and immediately drink some water. If these symptoms persist, these students must be immediately taken to the nurse for further observation and treatment.
All PE Teachers should be aware of medical conditions of the students they teach, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy (seizure), allergy, medications, etc. which puts students at a high risk of heat illness. These conditions could be intensified if exercising in hot weather; however, there is no reason to limit students’ participation, unless a known risk is obvious or the parent has advised the school that their child should not participate.

COLD WEATHER POLICY

This policy has been drawn up in order to create guidelines in the event of extreme cold weather. Extreme cold weather is defined by a period of unusually cold weather in the winter period.

Why playing outside is important

To begin with, it’s common knowledge that children need time to blow off steam and get some exercise. This helps them grow strong and stay healthy but it is also good for them mentally as it gives them an opportunity to explore and discover the outside world. It teaches them about their surroundings and is a chance to feed their imagination.

For people without respiratory problems, cold air is not damaging to the lungs and sport/movement outdoors can generally continue in cold weather. Exposure to breathing cold air can get critical for healthy people under the temperature -15 degrees. Then the body can’t manage to warm up the in-breathing air till it reaches the lungs. For people with respiratory problems, much greater care should be taken as the damaging effects of cold air can happen at much warmer temperatures.

Cold Weather Guidelines

It is essential that students arrive at school each day prepared for cold weather. Students must be dressed appropriately so that they remain safe and comfortable during the following times:

Outside playtime before and after school
Lunchtime playtime
Fire Drills (at all temperatures)
Bus breakdowns
Unscheduled and scheduled outside breaks and learning experiences.

Below freezing -1 to -8°Celsius

Students are expected to go outside during their break time, though prolonged periods of time outside is not advised. Parents should ensure that their child brings the following items needed to stay warm and comfortable when outside:

Warm coat
Gloves/Mittens
Head/Ear covering
Boots
Waterproof snow pants (if snowing)

Temperatures below -8°Celsius

If the temperature reaches below -8°Celsius students will stay inside

Risks

The main risks of extreme cold weather are:

Flu or cold
pneumonia
falls and injuries
hypothermia
heart attack
stroke
frost bite (only in extreme cold weather)

EYFS

Feels like -5 to -15°C - limited time of 2 x 20 minute sessions during free-flow learning (optional for children
Indoor option offered during main break and lunch-time between -10 to -15°C.
No outdoor water play from 0 degrees.
No children allowed outside without appropriate dress, including hat, scarf and gloves from 5 degrees.

Sport

Since sport lessons are for longer periods than playtimes, sport will remain indoors while the temperature is below 0°Celsius

What parents can do:

Flu vaccinations are still the best way to protect against an unpredictable virus.
Put several layers of clothing on your child and make sure their head, neck and hands are covered. If they then get warm, they can take one layer off at a time. Dress babies and young children in one more layer than an adult would wear.
In drier winter air children lose more water through their breath. Keep them drinking and try giving them warm drinks.
Make sure your children are wearing footwear with a good grip to reduce the risk of slipping and falling on icy pavements and take your time when walking!
Due to darker mornings and evenings, it is recommended that children wear or carry something to make them more visible when making journeys. This should be something bright or fluorescent during the day and something reflective at dusk and in the dark
Babies should be checked to ensure they are at a suitable temperature. (https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-room-temperature/)

ALTHOUGH UNLIKELY:

Signs of frostbite are pale, grey or blistered skin on the fingers, ears, nose, and toes. If you think your child has frostbite bring the child indoors and put the affected area in warm (not hot) water. Signs of hypothermia are shivering, slurred speech, and unusual clumsiness. If you think your child has hypothermia see a doctor

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