A SCHOOL faces a backlash after asking students to wear extra shifts to save money on rising heating bills.
Summerhill Infants in Bristol plans to limit the heating during the day, turn down thermostats for hot water and turn off the lights when not in use, according to an email to parents.
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Some parents were shocked when they received an email asking them to go to school in warmer clothesSource: Google Earth
Staff said the premises were receiving bills in excess of £ 30,000 for heating and would be forced to make some changes.
And it also urged parents to send their children to school in warmer clothes to cut bills as fuel bills soar.
In response, an anonymous mother told the BBC she was concerned the decision could affect her child’s asthma.
She said, “Being out in the cold can really affect her, so I think that she can potentially get sick.
“If she gets sick, I take her out and because I can heat her at home, it’s that expensive too.
“If it was something they asked me to pay £ 10 [towards] I would pay some money. I would like to provide some money. “
Another woman described the proposal as a “ridiculous idea”.
She added, “I can imagine the absences will go through the roof. And what about asthmatic children and teachers? People with lung disease need higher ambient temperatures as breathing cold air can cause asthma attacks and hypothermia.
“I can also imagine that children and teachers find it difficult to concentrate in cold classrooms.”
The plea comes during a “bloodbath” of small energy suppliers who have collapsed and are shifting the cost burden to larger suppliers due to rising natural gas prices and the energy price cap.
This week it was reported that 22 of the UK’s 47 utilities have gone into administration since the beginning of the year.
The National Education Union said it shows the “sad, hard truth” that schools still lack financial support, with Representative Robin Head saying the lack of financial support and rising fuel costs are to be blamed.
He added, “It exposes the sad harsh truth that schools are not properly funded.
“Teachers haven’t received a raise this year. The schools are really struggling with the budget.
Other parents said they would accept the change as long as the school just kept it a little cooler.
One said, “If you have to wear a thick sweater, that’s fine.
“I trust the school it won’t freeze. You put the children first. “
Others said the move was sensible.
One parent added: “We should all be doing our part to save energy and money anyway.
“Can you imagine the outcry if the school had sent out a begging letter for £ 10 for the expenses?
“Bristol City Council said it is trying to help schools hit by the energy crisis to renew energy contracts, while the Department of Education has announced that core funding for schools will increase by £ 4.7 billion between 2024 and 2025 to allay concerns . “
A community spokesman said: “In order to support schools, our energy services are working on extending the current energy contracts.”
Summerhill Infants School was contacted for further comments.
