St. Nicholas CE Primary Academy

A huge THANK YOU to you all for your support during the extreme 'Red Weather Warning' for excessive heat. All families and staff have played a massive part in keeping everybody safe - well done and thank you! I know it's been a really anxious time.

From Wednesday, there is no longer a red alert for heat but it will continue to be warm. Therefore, school will return to NORMAL HOURS and normal SUMMER SCHOOL UNIFORM from tomorrow.

We do need to remain vigilant though.

To help, please make sure that YOUR CHILD:
- has a refillable water bottle
- wears summer SCHOOL UNIFORM (shorts and t-shirt, summer dress, skirt. Definitely no cardigans/ jumpers/ fleeces!)
- has sun cream on before they come to school
- brings sun cream to school
- has a named hat
- Children can also wear sunglasses and sandals if they wish.

A reminder of the things we are already doing to keep everyone safe:
* Improved ventilation - every classroom has multiple fans and all blinds are kept closed
* Relocate lessons to different, cooler spaces (including outdoors in the woodland where it's breezy and there is lots of shade)
* Additional 'hydration breaks' instructed by the teacher (children can go to the toilet more often too)
* PE has been cancelled
* Lunch time sports clubs are cancelled
* Play times are spent sitting in the shade
* Lunch break finish time may be earlier in order to avoid being outside in the midday sun
* No Collective Worship in the Hall (we don't want everyone gathered in one place because it would be too hot)
* All windows and doors opened early before children arrive and closed again before the peak of the temperature
* Conservatories are closed - children using these is banned
* Wet paper towels can be used to cool heads/ wrists
* Staff have been briefed on these measures and how to spot the signs of sun-stroke
* Mr Chamberlain has the sprinklers set up so children can cool off in them
* Staff have mist-bottles to spray children with to cool them down

We are looking forward to tomorrow when school will return to NORMAL HOURS and normal SUMMER SCHOOL UNIFORM.

Thank you all once again for your help and support. I hope you have all managed to stay safe in the sun and cool in the heat!

Keeeeep shining!

Mrs Booth

UPDATE
Following yesterday’s ScholarPack message here is this morning’s from Mrs Booth regarding the weather warning that is in place.

Good morning.

I promised to keep things under review and that therefore plans may change.

Taking seriously the threat from the extreme heat weather warning, which is due to peak at around 3-4pm today and tomorrow (Monday and Tuesday), we have put multiple measures in place to reduce the risks caused by this.

In addition to the measures I outlined last night, IF YOU WISH TO COLLECT YOUR CHILD/ REN AT 1pm on both Monday and Tuesday when it is forecast to be a few degrees lower compared with the usual collection time, then YOU ARE WELCOME TO COLLECT YOUR CHILD/ REN at 1pm from the usual classroom doors.

School will remain open for those children who are not able to be collected early. There will not be any remote learning provided because school remains open.

If children usually walk home alone, then we we will require written or verbal confirmation over the phone of your wishes, otherwise they will not be permitted to leave.

I hope this helps to further reassure you that the safety of your children is my top priority.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact school directly on 01205 363210.