Sherwood mums frustration over cold classrooms as windows are kept open Nottinghamshire Live12/13/2020 Sign up to get all the news from Mansfield in your inbox every day!
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A mum has raised concerns over schools having windows open during cold weather after her daughters asked to wear more layers during lessons. Clair Jackson, of Sherwood, said it upset her to hear that her two daughters, aged six and nine, had been cold while in their classroom as temperatures dropped outside and windows were open. As part of the guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic and particularly from September following the full reopening, ventilation of school buildings has been a key part of keeping the virus at bay. Following a spell of wintry weather, Clair’s daughters had asked while getting ready for school if they could wear an extra pair of tights. “It was around November 26 and I think the weather had gone colder, and they asked for more layers,” Clair, 37, said. “I said ‘why? You’ll be red hot’, because I know the school has the heating on. But that’s when they told me they had been really cold. “When I asked why, they said because all the windows have to be open but I hadn’t even been told about it. “As soon as I found out, it upset me thinking I had been warm all day and they weren’t and I was frustrated the school hadn’t said anything. “If children have any symptoms, even a normal cold, they have to isolate but surely this can’t be helping.” Clair’s children attend Claremont Primary and Nursery School in Claremont Road, but the school is one of many carrying out this procedure. She said she raised the issue with the headteacher but was told staff were following Government guidelines and there wasn’t much they could do. “I went straight out and got them both thermal vests, extra tights, teddy coats and ear muffs and told them if they want to wear a coat in class, they can – I gave them permission,” Clair added. “I know they would never ask a teacher because they don’t want to get in trouble – they are good girls. “But I felt so guilty they had been cold. They’re just sat still and my youngest is only six, and some children feel the cold more than others. “The school said they would try to move them around more, but I think the whole thing is confusing and contradictory. “They even said they had the heating on high but what’s the point? It’s just going out the window.” The Department for Education outlined in its guidance to schools: “It is important to ensure it is well ventilated and a comfortable teaching environment is maintained. “This can be achieved by a variety of measures including natural ventilation – opening windows (in cooler weather windows should be opened just enough to provide constant background ventilation, and opened more fully during breaks to purge the air in the space). “Opening internal doors can also assist with creating a throughput of air. “To balance the need for increased ventilation while maintaining a comfortable temperature, the following measures should also be used as appropriate: “Heating should be used as necessary to ensure comfort levels are maintained particularly in occupied spaces.” Get our top stories sent to you every dayWant us to send you a daily round-up of our biggest stories, and breaking news alerts, direct to your email inbox? Sign up to our newsletter here. Clair questioned why windows being open was not being implemented in other places such as shops, adding: “Would those working in Government want to sit in an office all day with the windows open? “I felt so bad I nearly cried thinking about it and I think if letters had been sent out about it, some parents might not have brought their kids back or at least if they did, they would have been prepared. “I just want to be proactive about it, and I want to help bring attention to it. “I think the Government needs to rethink these guidelines because they may as well be having their lessons outside.” The headteacher at Claremont Primary, Robert Campbell, provided a statement on the issue. “The safety of Claremont children is our top priority and we’ve taken every step to ensure our school is compliant with national guidelines for Covid-19 since our pupils returned in the new academic year in September. “We’ve worked hard to do everything we can to make sure our school remains open in a way that is safe for everyone. “This includes keeping classrooms well ventilated. We understand the concern about open windows in the winter, but we have taken steps to mitigate this by closing them to a minimum distance, weather permitting, to allow air flow, opening internal doors where possible and by adjusting the heating accordingly.” Are you a parent with concerns about cold classrooms? Or do you work in a school trying to find ways around it? You can get in touch with your experiences by emailing [email protected]. from https://taxi.nearme.host/sherwood-mums-frustration-over-cold-classrooms-as-windows-are-kept-open-nottinghamshire-live/
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