RATIONALE

At Roots Federation we are committed to sun safety to ensure that children and staff are protected from skin damage caused by the harmful ultra violet rays in sunlight.  We believe that by encouraging sun safe behaviour at school and teaching children about the risks of sunlight, we can prevent them from burning and contribute towards preventing skin cancer.

AIMS

•    To provide a consistent approach to sun safety

•    To ensure that all staff, governors, children and parents are aware of school procedures with regard to sun safety

•    To educate pupils about the dangers of over exposure to harmful sun rays and to teach them how to protect themselves against sunburn

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INCLUSION

We believe it is the right of all children regardless of their gender, ethnicity, physical ability, linguistic, cultural or home background to have access to quality learning experiences in a safe, secure and supportive environment.  We acknowledge that some children with fairer skin will be at greater risk of damage from the sun than those with darker skin. These children may require additional measures such as a higher factor of sun screen to be applied. 

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IMPLEMENTATION

At Roots Federation we want the staff and pupils to enjoy the sun safely.  We will work with staff, pupils and parents to achieve this through:

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EDUCATION:

•    All children will receive at least one Sun Smart lesson per year

•    Parents and Carers will receive a reminder about the school’s sun safety policy and how they can help to protect their children at the beginning of the summer term.

PROTECTION:
Shade:
•    Children will be encouraged to share their time indoor and outdoor. During very hot days’ children will be encouraged to limit the time outdoor and occupy areas of shade where necessary. 

•    Consideration will be taken to ensuring sun safety in any plans for developing or updating school buildings or grounds and as a maintenance issue

Timetabling/Events
•    Outdoor events may be postponed or cancelled if the weather is exceptionally hot

•    Children will be discouraged from spending long periods of time in the garden and whenever possible will be encouraged to stay in the shade

•    During the Summer Term, parents will be kept informed of warnings from the meteorological office of high burning days via email. 

•    When planning outdoor events during the summer months risk assessments will be carried out to ensure that adequate control measures are in place to reduce the risk of damage from the sun (e.g. reducing the amount of time spent outside and ensuring there is adequate shade.)

Clothing:
•    All children will be required to wear a sun hat during child initiated learning and accessing the Garden when the weather is hot

•    Parents will be reminded of the importance of children bringing a sun hat to school during the summer months at the start of every Summer Term

Sunscreen:
•    Sun screen should never be used to prolong the amount of time spent in the sun but as a form of protection when other measures are unavailable or when additional protection is required

•    Sun screen will need to be applied before your child comes to school. 

•    Sun screen use will be encouraged during the Summer Term.

•     Parents are requested to apply a suitable sun screen that will last for the day to their child. 

•    Children who are attending for a full day will have sun screen re applied after lunch. 

•    Staff will wear disposables gloves and these will change per child or hand wash between every application of cream.  

Water:
•     Water is always readily available to pupils. Children will be actively encouraged to drink water at regular intervals during hot weather to prevent dehydration.

•    Additional planned snack times will be offered to ensure that children remain hydrated. 

Health risks from heat
Children cannot control their body temperature as efficiently as adults can during hot weather because they do not sweat as much and so can be at risk of ill-health from heat. Heat-related illness can range from mild heat stress to potentially life-threatening heatstroke. The main risk from heat is dehydration( not having enough water in the body). If sensible precautions are taken children are unlikely to be adversely affected by hot conditions, however, teachers, assistants, school nurses and all child carers should look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat Stress
Children suffering from heat stress may seem out of character or show signs of discomfort and irritability (including those listed below for heat exhaustion). These signs will worsen with physical activity and if left untreated can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion
Symptoms of heat exhaustion vary but include one or more of the following:
•    tiredness
•    dizziness
•    headache
•    nausea
•    vomiting
•    hot, red and dry skin
•    confusion

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Actions to protect children suffering from heat illness
The following steps to reduce body temperature should be taken immediately:
1.    Move the child to as cool a room as possible and encourage them to drink cool water (such as water from a cold tap).
2.    Cool the child as rapidly as possible, using whatever methods you can. For example, sponge or spray the child with cool (25 to 30°C) water – if available, place cold packs around the neck and armpits, or wrap the child in a cool, wet sheet and assist cooling with a fan.
3.    Dial 999 to request an ambulance if the person doesn’t respond to the above treatment within 30 minutes.
4.    If a child loses consciousness, or has a fit, place the child in the recovery position, call 999 immediately and follow the steps above until medical assistance arrives.

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FIRST AID

Any child suspected of suffering from sunburn or heat exhaustion will be taken indoors to a cool place and a message will be sent to the office to contact the child’s parents.

Sunburn:
Children will be given plenty of fluid and the affected area cooled with cold water.

Heat Exhaustion:
This is caused by exertion in and over exposure to high temperatures.  Heat exhaustion is accompanied by dizziness, headaches and muscular cramps in the lower limbs.  If a child is suspected of suffering from heat exhaustion, his/her parents will be contacted immediately.  Meanwhile the child will be laid down in a cool area and offered sips of cold water.  If the condition worsens, medical assistance will be sought.

Heat Stroke:
Signs include dizziness, nausea and flu-like symptoms.  If a child is suspected of suffering from heat stroke his/her parents will be contacted immediately. It is important to reduce the child’s temperature by taking them to a cool place, removing outer clothing, and putting them in a sitting position with the head and shoulders supported. Again if symptoms persist and the child’s condition deteriorates medical assistance will be sought.

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MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

The Head of Schools will be responsible for ensuring that all children, parents, staff and governors are aware of school procedures with regard to sun safety. Parents will be reminded of the school’s sun safety policy and how they can support the implementation of the procedures on an annual basis and the full policy will be available on the school website. The Executive Headteacher in conjunction with the Head of Schools will be responsible for ensuring that appropriate risk assessments are carried out for all outdoor events and activities in the Summer Months and apply appropriate measures to reduce the risks of damage from over exposure to the sun.
This policy will be reviewed every two years and in response to any Government, County Council and health guidance.

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