School tells pupils ‘get used to being cold’ as it will keep windows open to protect against Covid
A SCHOOL has told pupils to "get used to being cold" as it keeps windows open to protect against Covid.
Barr Beacon School in Walsall, the West Midlands, brought in the new rules to keep classrooms ventilated after reopening.
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Students at the secondary school were reportedly told they can't wear coats inside, but can wear a vest or T-shirt under their shirts, or a jumper.
Head teacher Lynsey Draycott wrote to parents earlier this month telling them the advice came from the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), The Birmingham Mail reports.
Mums and dads at the school, which has around 1,500 pupils, are divided over the move.
One local said: "Too right, about time privileged cupcakes learned to man up.
"Best get to the shops and stock up on thermal underwear and thick socks."
'THIS IS NOTHING'
Another added: "For those of us brought up with no central heating and unheated bedrooms this is nothing.
"My primary school had an outside toilet block.
"Many young boys wore shorts in winter and girls dresses with long socks. We used to get snow too. Real snow not an inch or two. We survived."
But others disagreed and warned children may get ill sitting in cold classrooms.
Absolutely disgusting!! No one should ever get used to being cold
Local resident
One wrote: "So when they all come down with colds and possibly flu will they all be sent home for Covid?
"Why make kids ill to protect them from a virus that is less deadly then the flu they will get from being made to sit at school for hours on end cold.
"It really doesn’t get anymore stupid other than making them wear a mask at the same time."
While another said: "Absolutely disgusting!! No one should ever get used to being cold.
"Being too cold, too hot, too tired or too hungry are all reasons pupils can’t concentrate."
A school spokesman told Sun Online Barr Beacon's "first priority is the safety and wellbeing of its pupils and staff".
The spokesman added: Government advice has been to encourage the through flow of air to reduce transmission.
"To prevent children from being cold the school suggested that pupils could wear an extra vest or t-shirt under their school uniform.
"Many parents have thanked the school for the information and advice that has been sent home and the support their children have received
"All we are trying to do at Barr Beacon is keep our children and staff as safe as possible.”
It comes as more than a million kids in England are missing school amid a wave of suspected Covid outbreaks, alarming stats show.
While the number of schools partly closed because of the virus has rocketed by 400 per cent in a week.
Yesterday, UK coronavirus cases rose by 4,926 - as the Prime Minister brought in new nation-wide restrictions.
Another 37 people died from the virus as cases rise to the highest level since May 7, which saw 5,614 new infections.
Earlier this month, Sage urged the government to boost school funding so ventilation could be improved.
Susan Michie, a professor of health psychology at UCL, said: "I think also pupils will have to get used to – and staff – coming in wearing more clothes.”
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According to The Birmingham Mail, the letter to parents of Barr Beacon students said: "The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has warned that because school windows must be left open to fight coronavirus, pupils should start wearing more clothes and 'get used to being cold'.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
"This has been widely reported in the press.
"Pupils will not be allowed to wear coats in classrooms but they may choose to wear plain, white vests and T-shirts below their shirts and/or a black V-neck jumper, in accordance with our existing uniform policy."
