WHAT do you do to stay cool when the temperature pushes into the 30s?

Have a water fight, of course...

Well, not a water fight, exactly. Children at Naburn Primary School took part in organised 'water fun' games on Monday afternoon, as a way of cooling down before they went home.

The games just happened to involve hoespipes, 'water blasters', what looked suspiciously like water bombs - and buckets of water to dip hot heads in...

They repeated the games yesterday afternoon - with water sponges thrown into the mix as well, as temperatutres reached 39 degrees C.

The school had to postpone its 'Superteams' sports day event, which was due to be held  on Monday, because of the heat. Weather permitting, it will be held today instead.

But on Monday afternoon, headteacher Jonathan Green gleefully tweeted a series of photos showing the children's water games.

York Press:

Children's water games at Naburn Primary School

"House relay games with water. What a great way to kick back and enjoy quality time together as a school. So much fun and laughter!" he tweeted.

To be honest, the teachers looked as though they were having just as much fun as the children...

Most York schools stayed open throughout the two days of the heatwave, in line with Department for Education (DfE) guidance.

The DfE said: "Individual school leaders are responsible for managing their own local circumstances, but we are not advising schools to close.

"There is clear Government guidance available online to help school staff look after children in the hot weather, including the use of ventilation, keeping children hydrated, and avoiding vigorous physical activity for pupils."

Maxine Squire, Assistant Director of Education at City of York Council, said her authority had 'advised all schools to individually assess if they need to close early depending on if their buildings become unbearably hot'.

“The council has shared guidance received from the NHS and DfE with schools around the actions they can take to cope with the rising temperatures," she added.

"This includes varying uniforms, keeping children out of the heat and access to drinking water.”

Measures taken at Knavesmire Primary School to help children stay cool included

  • allowing children to come to school without uniforms
  • opening all windows are early and pulling blinds down
  • children given regular water breaks
  • large fans in the school hall
  • ice lollies as treats

Various school performances which had been due to go ahead yesterday - including the year 5 Payhouse Project and Year 6 Play - were cancelled or postponed because of the heat.

In an email to parents on Monday, Knavesmire Primary's Head of School Hannah Gibson said: "I have spent a lot of time bobbing in and out of classrooms today and the children have all been very chilled, calm and collected.

"We have spent very little time outside and the children have had lots of water breaks. Where classes felt warm, they have utilised other spaces around school, such as the hall and library."