This equates to just one unit for every three schools in England. Just 8,000 units have been made available for schools, including 1,000 units ring-fenced for special schools and alternative provision settings. Today’s blog post states schools feedback “suggests they are finding the monitors helpful in the management of ventilation and that in the majority of cases existing measures are sufficient”.Įlsewhere, the DfE reminds schools that “free air cleaning units are available to those that need them most”. One classroom recorded 1,669ppm, despite temperatures dropping to 5 degrees Celsius due to open windows and doors. Schools Week revealed last year that some classrooms were recording three times these levels despite following ventilation guidance. Guidance states a consistent CO2 concentration of more than 1,500 parts per million (ppm) “is an indicator of poor ventilation”, with 800ppm the recommended level. Over 353,000 carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors have been delivered to schools since last term, which the government say “help settings understand where and when they need to improve ventilation while balancing warmth”. Balance need for warmth and ventilation, schools told The HSE offers similar advice for workplaces improving natural ventilation by opening windows to “relax dress codes so people can wear extra layers and warmer clothing”.

Leaders are also reminded that uniform rules should be reviewed and schools should “let pupils dress accordingly if they are aware classrooms are cooler than usual”. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should be at least 16 degrees Celsius. Regular airing may work, but some will need mechanical ventilation or air cleaners”, she adds. “Some places are too polluted, noisy or unsafe.

Noakes also admits, in tweets excluded from the DfE blog, the advice “won’t work for everyone” and is not a “magic bullet”. However, it caveats that “there may be cold drafts” using such a method. The DfE also advises using “higher up windows or vents causes fewer draughts, as does opening other windows by a small amount”.Ī Twitter thread by Professor Cath Noakes, included in the blog post, explains it is only necessary to open a window by a small amount in the winter as you can get both the “wind and stack flow” required to drive ventilation. It states: “Only opening windows for 10 minutes an hour can help reduce the risk from virus in the air – and where possible this can happen when the room is empty in the periods between lessons, for example.”

The Department for Education published a blog post this morning assuring schools that ventilation “doesn’t mean pupils need to be cold”. Schools are being advised to open classroom windows between lessons or only “by a small amount” in a bid to balance ventilation requirements amid plummeting temperatures this term.

Open class room