Praise as primary head shows how to take the heat
PARENTS SAY IT’S BEST FOR KIDS AFTER THE PANDEMIC – AND FOR THEIR OWN WORK
PARENTS have praised a school for ensuring it was “business as usual” amid yesterday’s soaring temperatures.
A string of schools across Nottinghamshire made the call to close yesterday and today because of the hot weather.
The call came after the Met Office issued the first-ever red weather warning for extreme heat, with temperatures hitting 37C in Nottingham yesterday and expected to be even hotter today.
The Mellers Primary School and Nursery in Radford, however, stayed open.
Some children were excited to attend school with today being a “splash day” to keep them cool.
The Post visited the school on Norton Street.
Caroline Smith, a mum of two, was taking her children to school in the morning and said: “I think it should be up to the parents whether they want to send their children to school or not.
“Mine could not wait to go to school after the weekend. My little one was excited for the splash day.”
The 33-year-old, who works in Boots, added: “They spend the morning outside and then they go inside to cool off.
“The teachers are very careful. They are trying to protect them.
“I think it is important for our children to live a normal life and go to school, especially after the pandemic.
“Especially because they are having a relaxed day today – they are not going to do maths or anything like that. They are going to play.”
Arif Sulistiono, originally from Indonesia and now living in Radford, added: “I am from Indonesia so we are used to the heat. It actually reminds us of home.
“Although it is more humid over there, it is better here because it is dry at least.
“My children relaxed over the weekend and they really wanted to come in to school today.”
The 38-year-old added: “I think it is better for the children that they are in school, especially after the pandemic.
“As parents we are grateful that we can just go to work.”
Kwame Agyemang was waiting patiently, avoiding the heat in the shadow of a tree near the school gates. He said: “I prefer sweating in a heatwave than freezing, to be fair. Our children are happy to go to school.”
The 37-year-old taxi driver said he had to switch to night shifts because of the heat.
He added: “It is better for them to be in school.”
Amanda Dawson, head teacher at Mellers Primary School, was greeting the pupils at the school gates. She said: “We have suggested that everyone stays hydrated and brings a hat as well.
“First they will spend some time in the garden, where there is a bit of shade as well.
“We have air con and fans in every classroom.
“We have rotas in place for everyone to use the library too.
It would help both staff and our pupils.
“We have got ice pops, water and water sprays in place to help pupils cool off. We are trying to keep business as usual and make it fun as well.
“We are a community school. And we think that our pupils should attend school and keep business as usual to help parents as well.”
The Post reported yesterday that seven schools in Nottinghamshrie would be closed as well as one in Long Eaton. That number later rose to 10.
Archway Learning Trust – which has schools across Nottinghamshire – made the decision to shut schools yesterday and today for “the welfare of our students and staff”. The academies in the trust are: Bluecoat Primary Academy, Bluecoat Trent Academy, Bluecoat Beechdale Academy, Bluecoat Wollaton Academy, Bluecoat Aspley Academy, Bluecoat Sixth Form, Nottingham Emmanuel School, Lees Brook Community School. Alvaston Moor Academy and Long Eaton School.
Most other schools are expected to remain open today. The Government opted against instructing to schools to shut, and is instead asking head teachers to take steps to ensure pupils and staff stay cool. Councils have also made preparations for the heatwave. A spokesperson for Nottingham City Council said: “With extremely hot weather forecast, please make sure you protect yourself and others from too much sun or heat.
“Carry water when travelling and protect those, such as young children or older people, who feel the heat more than others.
“Stay indoors if you can but if you’re outdoors ensure you wear sun cream and a hat. It’s also really important to stay out of rivers and lakes, and remember that barbecues and cigarettes can very easily cause house, garden or wildfires during hot and dry weather.
“Let’s help our emergency services to be there for those who really need it by doing our bit. To help our frontline workers cope with the heat, bin collections across the city will start from 6am instead of the usual 7am.
“The earlier start time will reduce employees’ exposure to the forecasted extreme weather conditions. Please ensure you put your bin out before 6am on these days.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council is also asking residents to put their bins out at 6am and Gedling Borough Council is asking residents to put their bins out at 5am.
The impact on Nottingham’s two main hospitals, the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital, was not clear, but the website for both hospitals said yesterday that the emergency department was “extremely busy”.
The hospital trust is advising people to call 111 for medical advice that is urgent but not an immediate genuine emergency.
Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Currently there is a 50 percent chance we could see temperatures top 40 degrees and 80 percent we will see a new maximum temperature reached. Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm, especially in urban areas. This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.
“Therefore, it is important people plan for the heat and consider changing their routines. This level of heat can have adverse health effects.”
Mine could not wait to go to school after the weekend. My little one was excited for the splash day
Caroline Smith