Mum says kids are ‘shivering’ at Chesterfield school with windows left open to stop Covid-19 spread

Tupton Hall School in Chesterfield has been leaving windows and doors open, in line with government guidance, to increase ventilation and reduce the risk of Covid-19 spreading.

But one mother said that, as temperatures drop, the secondary school’s approach has left her daughters ‘cold to the bone’ – especially with pupils having so far been banned from wearing coats inside.

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Headteacher Andrew Knowles said students had been allowed to wear an additional jumper under their school blazer and the central heating was permanently on but that the school was listening to feedback and would review its rules if necessary.

The mother, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I would like to know how children can be expected to go to school with windows and doors wide open, without being allowed to wear warm clothing/coats etc. And the weather is only going to get colder!

"My children are coming home shivering and cold to the bone, which obviously if they get wet due to rain only exacerbates the problem. They are sat next to open windows without being allowed to put a coat on. If it was a workplace environment unions would be involved.”

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The Government guidance for schools is to keep classrooms well ventilated, which can be achieved by opening windows and doors or through air conditioning.

It recommends that schools provide ‘flexibility’ to allow additional ‘suitable’ indoor clothing to prevent pupils getting too cold.

Mr Knowles explained that some upper windows were being kept ajar in classrooms, with internal doors propped open, to aid the circulation of air.

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"We wrote to parents explaining this earlier in the term, together with providing every student with the opportunity to wear an additional jumper under their school blazer,” he said.

“The central heating in all classrooms is permanently on, which offsets any cooler air circulation.

"We are listening to our students’ and staff feedback each week about room ambience as the temperatures outside begin to fall, and will make necessary changes to our routines following this feedback. The safety and well-being of our students and staff during this crisis is our top priority.”