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Dominic Raab says kids SHOULD stay in schools during heatwave as teachers are ‘well placed to deal’ with temperatures
DOMINIC Raab has said kids should go to school during the heatwave as teachers are “well placed to deal” with the soaring temperatures.
The Deputy Prime Minister, 48, wants kids to attend school as temperatures hit 30C today with an extreme heat warning this week.
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Appearing on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, he said: “We’re coming to the end of the school term anyway but I think making sure young children get the education they need is really important.
“Particularly after the pandemic and schools are well placed to do that.”
His comments come after the Met Office issued an extreme heat warning, saying there could be a “danger to life”.
Raab’s view was backed up by the Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson who appeared on the same programme.
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Asked if she would support parents who decide to keep their children off school on those days, the Labour MP said: "I am sure that headteachers will be doing everything they possibly can to make sure their schools are kept as cool as possible, that children are kept out of the hot sun and are kept indoors as much as possible.
"I think children have missed out quite a lot already in terms of their education and it's right for them to be there."
On headteachers, she added: "They will always act in the best interests of the children in school."
Some schools have already announced they will close due to the “safety of the pupils”.
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St Christopher's special school in Lincoln told parents it would be impossible to keep the building cool enough for pupils on Monday and Tuesday.
Others have said they will close early or amend their timetables or change the rules as a way of beating the heat.
Three primary schools in Herefordshire have warned parents that their kids will “not be allowed outside to play”.
They say PE lessons will not take place on Monday or Tuesday during the peak temperatures.
The schools, Marlbrook, Little Dewchurch and St Martin’s Primary School, also say they are giving parents the option to keep their kids home on Monday.
Meanwhile Hereford Academy is taking a European approach by changing their timetable to avoid the heat.
They will start classes at 8.30am - and let kids finish up at 2pm.
And Clapton Girls’ Academy, in east London, will close for the day at 12.30pm on Monday and Tuesday.
Schools follow the same rules as workplaces, which means there is a minimum temperature but no maximum temperature to warrant closure.
The Health and Safety Executive says: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable."
This means employers and schools have to provide "clean, fresh air" — as well as keep temperatures at a comfortable level.
Parents should also make sure their kids are well equipped in a heatwave, with a hat and sunscreen if they are likely to be playing outdoors.
With temperatures forecast to soar, Mr Raab urged people to take "common sense" precautions.
"Obviously there is some common sense practical advice we are talking about - stay hydrated, stay out of the sun at the hottest times, wear sun cream - those sorts of things," he told the programme.
"We ought to enjoy the sunshine and actually we ought to be resilient enough through some of the pressures it will place."
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Asked if people should consider working from home, Mr Raab said: "That is for employers to consider and people to decide.
"I'm not going to start dictating things like that. But obviously we have got more flexible working. So that will also help with this kind of thing."
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