Extreme Weather Letter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Important Update: Managing Extreme Temperatures and Adjustments to the School Day

As we face exceptionally high temperatures this week, I am writing to reassure you of the steps we are taking to keep our students safe, cool, and comfortable, as well as an important change to our school hours for the remainder of the week.

Steps We Have Taken & Ongoing Measures

Our team has been working hard to adapt our environment to manage the heat as effectively as possible. Measures currently in place include:

• Additional Hydration Stations: We have contacted our water cooler provider and arranged for extra hydration stations, which were successfully delivered and installed this morning.
• Targeted Cooling: We have allocated available air conditioning units to the hottest classrooms across the school.
• Room Adjustments: We are actively and continuously re-rooming lessons to spaces with air conditioning whenever possible.
• Student Welfare: Staff are actively encouraging students to stay in the shade during breaks and to keep hydrated throughout the day. Please ensure your child comes to school with a refillable water bottle.

Adjustments to the School Day

While we are doing everything, we can within our buildings, there is unfortunately very little else that can be done to lower temperatures further. As a school, we are required to remain open to provide vital education and ensure the safeguarding of our students.

However, to make the environment more manageable and to prioritise wellbeing, we have made the decision to adjust the timings of the school day for the rest of the week.

Revised Daily Timetable

To help you plan, the adjusted schedule for the rest of the week will run as follows:

• 8:30am – 9:30am: Period 1 (followed by a water break)
• 9:35am – 10:35am: Period 2
• 10:35am – 11:05am: Break (30 minutes - this is the only time hot food will be available)
• 11:05am – 12:05pm: Period 3 (followed by a break)
• 12:10pm – 1:10pm: Period 4
• 1:10pm: School Dismissal & Early Finish

There will be no after school clubs and School Reception will close at 1:30pm.

Why we are making this change: An early finish allows the vast majority of core learning to take place in the morning, before the hottest part of the day. Furthermore, we are mindful that this allows students to travel home safely before outdoor temperatures peak in the afternoon.

Year 11 School Trip

Please note that despite the changes to the school day, the scheduled Year 11 trip to Marwell will continue exactly as planned. Separate details regarding timings and heat safety measures for the trip will remain in place.

We understand that this earlier finish may create logistical challenges for some families, particularly regarding transport like pre-arranged taxis. If your child is unable to leave school at 1:10pm, please rest assured that we will make provision to supervise them on-site until the usual end of the school day.

If you need to make use of this provision or have any concerns, please contact your child's Head of Year directly so we can support you with arrangements.

Thank you for your continued support, understanding, and cooperation as we work together to keep our school community safe during this extreme weather.