School Struggles Through Cold Classrooms After Heating Failure
Cold Classrooms in Renfrewshire School Spark Concerns
Students and staff at Gryffe High in Houston, Renfrewshire, have been facing chilly conditions in their classrooms due to a malfunctioning heating system. Reports indicate that temperatures in the school have dropped below 16°C, which is lower than the recommended guidelines set by the Health and Safety Executive.
Some students and teachers have reportedly had to wear outdoor clothing during lessons to stay warm. The situation has raised concerns about the well-being of both students and staff, with many questioning whether the school environment is suitable for learning.
Renfrewshire Council has acknowledged the issue and stated that classes are now operating normally. To address the problem, portable heaters were provided to help improve the temperature in the affected areas. The council believes the issue was caused by a leak in the school’s heating system.
In addition to Gryffe High, two other schools in the area—Renfrew High and a primary school—are also experiencing low temperatures. This has led to increased scrutiny from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), which has expressed concern over the situation.
Maggie Russell, joint local secretary for the Renfrewshire branch of the EIS, spoke to BisakimiaScotland News about the issue. She mentioned that while a temporary fix has been implemented, the temperature in the school is still below the legal minimum of 16°C. Russell also questioned why the school had not been closed despite the ongoing issues.
She said: “The problem in Gryffe was a leak in their system. A temporary fix has isolated the problem and heaters are in place, but although the temperature is gradually rising, it is still below the legal 16 degrees minimum. I asked if the school would be closed, but other measures were taken to avoid closure of Gryffe. We have had a few complaints from staff about the low temperatures.”
Russell added that it is disappointing that schools were not ready to welcome staff and pupils back on the first day of term. She emphasized the need for future reviews of heating systems to ensure buildings are prepared for the start of the academic year.
Broader Impact of Cold Weather on Schools
The cold weather has affected more than just Gryffe High. Across Scotland, over 320 schools have closed due to the recent cold snap. In the north of the country, councils such as Aberdeenshire, Orkney, and Shetland have decided to keep schools closed for the day. Similarly, most schools in Aberdeen and Moray remain shut.
The impact of the cold weather has not been limited to the northern regions. Schools in the West of Scotland have also faced challenges. For example, Robert Burns Academy and its supported learning centre in Cumnock have been closed until next week due to internal flood damage.
In East Ayrshire, two primary schools—Patna Primary and St Xavier’s—have also been closed because of heating system problems. However, the local council has confirmed that these schools will reopen on Wednesday.
Ongoing Challenges and Public Response
A person who contacted BisakimiaScotland about the heating issue, though choosing to remain anonymous, described the situation as a health and safety concern. They pointed out that the portable heaters provided by the council were too small to generate enough heat for the classrooms.
The widespread closures and disruptions highlight the challenges that schools across Scotland are facing due to extreme weather conditions. As the cold snap continues, there is growing pressure on local authorities to ensure that schools are equipped to handle such situations in the future.
With the arrival of new weather warnings, including Storm Goretti, the situation remains uncertain. Schools in various parts of the country are closely monitoring the weather and making decisions based on the safety of students and staff.
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