As temperatures soared to 33.8C on Tuesday, La Houguette Primary School in Guernsey had to think outside the box – or bunker – to keep its pupils cool. The island's heatwave saw the school take drastic measures, including using a disused World War Two German bunker as an impromptu classroom.
The brainchild of headteacher Claire Judd, who noted that even conventional cooling methods like wearing PE kits and seeking shade weren't enough to combat the sweltering temperatures. In fact, it was only after some Year 3 pupils started falling ill in class due to heat exhaustion that the school realised drastic action was needed.
The solution lay at their doorstep – literally. The school's disused bunker, part of a network of German fortifications scattered across Guernsey, offered a unique respite from the heat. Pupils 'nip down' for short breaks, and some classes have even been conducted in the subterranean setting.
But it's not just the bunker that's helping to keep pupils cool – cold footbaths have also become an unexpected hit with kids. Introduced by a Year 5 teacher, the idea has proven so popular that children are 'just loving' it, according to Ms Judd. One pupil even declared it the 'best day in Year 5 ever', despite the school offering numerous other experiences.
The proactive approach taken by La Houguette Primary School is a testament to the challenges educational institutions face during periods of extreme weather. Ms Judd pointed out that research shows high temperatures can impair cognitive learning, making the school's efforts to maintain a conducive environment all the more vital. Although the children were still 'all tired and a little grumpy', she commended their 'fantastic patience' throughout the heatwave.
Further adjustments included scrapping whole-school assemblies to avoid crowded, hot halls and ensuring staff were sent home promptly at the end of the school day – all in an effort to balance pupil welfare with educational continuity in the face of increasingly frequent heat events.