Pupils told to wrap up as windows stay open at Edinburgh schools
Pupils are being told to wrap up warm when they go to school because classroom windows will be kept open throughout the winter as a safeguard against the spread of Covid.
In a letter to parents, Edinburgh’s chief education officer Andy Gray advised parents to ensure children wore extra layers of clothing to stay warm when they return after the mid-term break, October 19-26.
Several schools in the city have reported cases in recent weeks, including Juniper Green Primary, Currie Primary and St Mary’s RC primary in Leith, as well as the independent Mary Erskine’s all-girls secondary school.
Scottish Government guidance for schools, issued in August, said: “The opening of doors and windows, where is safe to do so, should be encouraged to increase natural ventilation and also to reduce contact with door handles.”
Edinburgh’ s“wrap up warm” advice is directed at both primary and secondary school pupils, although the decision on which windows must be kept open is up to individual schools.
Mr Gray’s letter said: “As our schools resume after the October break, we will continue to ensure the safest possible environment for learning in every school setting. As part of this, classrooms will require to maintain adequate ventilation and, while school heating systems will be fully utilised, it would be wise to consider extra layers of clothing.”
The advice prompted calls from poverty campaigners for more help for low-income families. John Dickie, director of Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, said the policy was understandable but highlighted the need for extra support.