Plashet Heatwave Protocol – June 2026
Published: Sun 21 June 2026Dear Plashet students, parents, carers and staff,
The coming week will see a heatwave in London. I have therefore activated our Plashet’s Heatwave Protocol.
Plashet’s Heatwave Protocol aims to help us work together to prepare for heatwaves, so that learning is disrupted as little as possible and the health, safety and welfare of students and staff are protected.
Please read the following information carefully so you know how the coming week will be adapted.
1. Plashet is relaxing uniform rules during next week’s heatwave to make sure students are comfortable.
All students should wear loose, light-coloured clothing to help keep cool and this includes white or light cream headscarves. Students must not be wearing coats, cardigans or jumpers. Light coloured cotton and linen fabrics are advised where possible. Black and dark coloured clothing is to be avoided.
2. When outdoors, students are to stay in the shade as much as possible and sunscreen with high sun protection factors should be used to protect skin.
3. The Department of Health and Social Care recommends students should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days. We will curtail, as far as possible, heat-generating activities, for example, PE lessons, use of computer monitors, printers, Bunsen burners, ovens and design and technology equipment. Lessons will therefore be adapted as heat reducing sedentary activities are more appropriate.
We will also be reviewing all trips scheduled to take place this week to ensure it is safe to undertake.
4. Windows will be opened as early as possible in the morning and, where safe and insurance allows, overnight to allow stored heat to escape from the buildings.
Electric lighting will be kept to a minimum and equipment will not be left in ‘standby mode’, as this generates heat where we do not yet have LED lighting.
Mechanical fans will be used where possible to increase air movement if temperatures are below 35°C but when temperatures rise above 35°C fans may not prevent heat-related illness and could worsen dehydration.
We will also be moving lessons timetabled in classrooms on upper floors down to ground and first floor lessons where possible.
5. All students are expected to bring a refillable water bottle and Plashet provides and encourages girls to drink more water than usual in hot weather, sipping throughout the day.
I must stress that any student found to be throwing water about will be in serious trouble as clean drinking water is a precious commodity which is not permitted to be wasted.
6. The timing of the Plashet day will change as follows to enable as much learning as possible to take place in the cooler part of the day.
- 8.45am: Arrive & go straight to Lesson 1.
- 8.50 – 9.40am: Lesson 1.
- 9.45 – 10.30am: Lesson 2.
- 10.30 – 10.50am: Breaktime.
- 10.50 – 11.40am: Lesson 3.
- 11.45 – 12.30pm: Lesson 4.
- 12.35 – 1.25pm: Lesson 5.
- 1.30pm: End of Heatwave Plashet day.
I must stress that all students must go straight home at 1.30pm and not hang around the streets or the park as the afternoon is the peak heat of the day. Students must go home and remain indoors out of the sun, keeping hydrated, reading and studying.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we make these temporary adjustments. These measures are intended to help make the coming week’s heatwave as safe and manageable as possible for students, staff and families, while ensuring that vital teaching and learning can continue with as little disruption as possible.
Yours faithfully.
Rachel McGowan
Head Teacher