Leeds City Council issues heatwave guidance for schools including uniform advice
The Met Office are predicting temperatures in Leeds could reach 35C
Leeds City Council has issued advice to help schools tackle the heatwave.
The soaring temperatures combined with high humidity have seen the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issue an amber heat health alert across Yorkshire and The Humber until 11 pm on Friday, June 26, with significant impact expected.
Officials at the Met Office are predicting temperatures in Leeds could reach a scorching 35C and as such schools are being advised to adjust their rules in order to keep children safe.
As things stand, no schools currently have full closures planned but Leeds City Council has issued general guidance for schools to communicate to their parents around keeping safe in hot weather with information such as:
- Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm)
- Plan physical activity for cooler times, such as mornings or evenings
- Keep indoor spaces cool by closing curtains and windows in sunny rooms
- When outside, wear hats, sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen
- Encourage regular drinking of water
Hot weather can cause heat stress in children. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea and pale, clammy skin.
Teachers and other educational professionals who manage or work in schools or early years settings are also advised to remind themselves of the advice shared by the Department for Education (DfE) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
This includes advice that uniform rules should be relaxed, especially during amber or red Heat-Health Alerts (HHAs), and children should wear loose, light-coloured clothing to help keep cool and sunhats with wide brims to avoid sunburn.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recommends children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days. Schools are encouraged to adapt lessons for hot weather when sedentary activities are more appropriate.