Dear Parents and Carers,

 

We hope this message finds you well.

We are writing to inform you that, due to the forecasted high temperatures, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Sports Day from Tuesday 1st July.

 

We are going to try to keep the sports days in the morning and so they have been rescheduled to:

 

Year R, 1 and 2 – Wednesday 2nd July 09:10am till 11:10am

Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 – Thursday 3rd July 09:10am to 11:30am

 

We fully appreciate that many would have arranged time off work and made plans to attend, and we want to assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly. We do the best with what we have, and we have been keeping an eye on the forecast to inform our decision. Earlier on in the week the forecasted high temp for Tuesday was 28 degrees and we were hopeful that with the precautions in place we would be able to run a safe sports day. Currently, met office weather is now reporting a high of 32 to 33 degrees on Tuesday and the safety and wellbeing of our pupils, staff, and families must remain our priority.

 

The Department of Health has issued guidance advising against strenuous outdoor activity during periods of extreme heat, and with temperatures expected to reach 33°C, we believe it would be unsafe to proceed as originally scheduled.

 

Here are some of the key reasons behind our decision:

 

• Risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion: These are serious conditions that can develop quickly in high temperatures and may require urgent medical attention.
• Dehydration: Increased sweating in hot weather can lead to rapid dehydration, which can affect both performance and health.
•  Overheating: The body’s ability to regulate temperature is compromised in extreme heat, leading to discomfort and potential health risks.
•  Reduced physical performance: High temperatures can significantly impact athletic ability, making it harder for children to participate fully and safely.
• Increased vulnerability in children: Children are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses than adults, making it especially important to take precautions.

 

The Met Office weather is indicating that on Wednesday and Thursday, conditions will be more suitable for outdoor activity, and we look forward to celebrating a fun and safe Sports Day with parents then.

 

Thank you in advance, as always, for your continued support as partners in our children’s education.