As temperatures drop and the winter weather seeps in, it is crucial to prioritise school safety. From preventing slips and trips to staying warm and dry, we’ve got some practical tips that you can follow in order to navigate the winter months with confidence, as well as a few senior school canopy solutions.
You might be interested in the school temperature rules for the UK – don’t worry, as in this blog, we will cover how cold schools can actually get, as well as recommend some of our favourite canopies that will keep your pupils warm all year round.
Let’s get into it in a bit more detail!
What Temperature is Too Cold in Schools?
While you may want to find out about the school temperature rules for the UK, there are not actually any legally prescribed maximum or minimum temperatures for school premises or other workplaces. Schools can however follow the government’s guidance on workplace temperatures.
The Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulation 1992 applies to all workplaces in the UK, including schools, and there are minimum temperature requirements listed within these regulations. It states that all temperatures need to be reasonable, which is usually around 16℃. This applies to all spaces within the school building, including non-teaching spaces. Take these recommendations into account to make sure that your workspace is safe and warm for staff and pupils.
Our School Safety Tips For Cold Weather
Now that you know what is classed as a ‘normal’ temperature in schools, we have a list of top tips that you can follow for a safe and toasty environment. Winter safety procedures should always be in place, especially as the weather can be so unpredictable and dangerous during those colder months.
We recommend following these procedures:
Regularly Inspect Outdoor Areas
Cold weather can create hazardous conditions like ice and snow, which can increase the risk of slips and falls for students, staff, and visitors. Therefore, regular inspection of some of these common areas can prevent the frequency of these accidents.
Your school could carry out a risk assessment at the start of the school year to identify specific problem areas, meaning that you know where to target when it comes to gritting and de-icing. Things like playgrounds or your playground shelters might require additional attention during colder months, where you should ensure that the equipment is secure, surfaces are safe, and all potential hazards are removed.
By conducting these regular inspections, you can feel more prepared and proactively address safety concerns during those colder months.
Impose a Gritting and De-Icing Schedule
Slippery surfaces can lead to serious accidents like slips, trips, and falls. Therefore, imposing a well-planned gritting and de-icing schedule can significantly reduce the risk of injuries.
We recommend:
- Gritting main paths and walkways before bad weather is scheduled
- Ensuring that you have enough grit and de-icing materials well in advance of winter
- Focusing on areas with heavy foot traffic such as entrances, exits, and walkways leading to classrooms
- Monitoring the weather conditions throughout the day and re-treat areas as needed
If freezing temperatures or snowfall are forecast, then make sure that you start gritting your paths and walkways enough time in advance – your grit won’t be as effective if you place it directly on top of snow or ice!
Provide Outdoor Cover
Outdoor covers, whether that’s a school shade sail or a primary school canopy, can significantly benefit schools during colder months. Not only are they great at providing shade during warmer months, but they can protect staff and pupils against snow, rain, or sleet during colder ones.
Covered canopies especially can provide students with a safe and dry route between lessons and buildings, more so if there are snowy days or winter storms. Outdoor cover also means that there are specific areas that are less likely to be exposed to icy conditions or elements, especially if they are sheltered by a roof.
Canopies for Enhanced Winter Safety in Schools
As we’ve just mentioned above, an outdoor canopy can be a great investment for schools during those colder months. Luckily for you, at A&S Landscape, we have plenty of school canopy solutions that can provide your staff and pupils with extra warmth this winter.
Let’s have a look at some of our favourites in a bit more detail.
Retractable Roofs
A retractable canopy is a great way to provide protection from harsh weather conditions, especially rain and snow. With A&S Landscape, you have the option to incorporate heating and lighting fixtures that let your staff and pupils enjoy break times in the warmth.
Having a retractable roof also allows schools to utilise outdoor spaces all year round, regardless of the weather. Outdoor learning has many benefits, including improved student engagement and academic performance. Reliable and strong, a retractable roof canopy is a great choice for schools during colder months.
Insulated Dining Canopies
To encourage outdoor dining even in winter, we recommend one of our dining area canopies. If your school struggles with overcrowded eating and doesn’t have enough indoor space, a dining canopy is the perfect way to combat this.
One of our favourite designs is the Motiva Expanse™, which we believe is the future of school dining. Made from a solid steel framework, this canopy has a huge selection of finishing features, including heating, lighting, flooring, and blinds. With these additional features, your students can relax and dine in comfort during those cold and blustery months.
Covered Walkways
To provide your pupils with shelter when walking to and from lessons, a covered walkway is essential. This style of canopy helps to protect staff and pupils in poor weather conditions which are heightened during those cooler months. They can also help to prevent slips and trips from happening if there is any snow or frost forecast.
We recommend the Motiva Duo™ which is our duopitch (symmetric) curved roof variant of canopy. Made from a solid steel framework, this canopy is snow-safe and wind-safe, providing your staff with the ultimate weather protection!
Keep Your Pupils Warm This Winter With A&S Landscape!
Hopefully, this blog has given you a bit more information about the school temperature rules in the uk as well as provided you with some canopy ideas for a way to add extra warmth. Investing in an outdoor canopy is a great way to keep staff and students warm and safe this winter – we’d love to have your school on board.
At A&S Landscape, we are truly passionate about the design and installation of bespoke outdoor canopies. With over 44 years of experience in the business, we have the brains, passion, and personality to make your project work – just ask us.
Please get in touch with any further questions or enquiries – a member of our expert team will be more than happy to get back to you!
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