Dear Parents and Carers,

I am sure you are aware of the high temperatures forecast for Monday and Tuesday. The Department for Education (DFE) is advising that schools do not close. Church Broughton will be open as normal on these days, but will follow DFE guidance on looking after children in heatwaves. The following will be in place for Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th July.

· Relaxed uniform - children should wear loose, light-coloured clothing to help keep cool and sunhats with wide brims to avoid sunburn. We suggest a plain T-Shirt and shorts or summer dresses for girls. Clothing should be suitable for school, nothing unsuitable like crop tops or heavily logoed items.

· Use sunscreen (at least factor 15 with UVA protection) to protect skin. Please apply this to your child before school. Your child may bring sunscreen into school to apply during the day.

· No PE activities or games, football or running around at break times - children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days, such as when temperatures are in excess of 30°C.

· Shortened out door times at break and lunch. These times will be spent in areas of the school that provide natural shade and are cooler. Children may want to bring in something from home such as a book to read, trading cards or colouring to do with their friends - encourage children playing outdoors to stay in the shade as much as possible.

· Regular drinks breaks in class; all children having access to water in school; staff to encourage them to drink more than usual when conditions are hot. Please ensure your child has a water bottle in school.

· Classroom windows will be open as early in the morning as possible, before children arrive to allow stored heat to escape.

· Classroom blinds will be used to protect the room from direct sunlight.

· Each classroom will have fans that can be used to increase air movement.

 We have been asked whether, if a parent decides not to send their child to school, the absence will be authorised. Whether your child attends school is ultimately a parental decision. Given the severity of the weather warning, our school will authorise absences due to extreme heat if requested. Please notify the school in the normal way if your child will not be attending.

The school and the classrooms can get very hot. We will monitor the situation and if the temperatures inside the classroom are too high and the children are in danger of heat-related illness then we will close early. Please be prepared that this might be the case and have someone on standby to collect your child if necessary. Thank you for your understanding.

Best wishes,
Mr Rudge