Dear all Year 6 parents,
As you know, we have our celebration of the end of Year 6 with our Beach Party at Minnis Bay tomorrow.
The current heat health warning is unprecedented and we haven't before experienced conditions like this in our country - if all happens as forecast.
There is a red warning in place for Wouldham but only an amber warning covering Minnis Bay and Margate.
We are intending to continue with the planned trip and want you to be aware of the measures and contingencies we are making to keep everybody safe. You will then be fully informed and able to decide whether or not to include your child.
There is no alternative date to go - it is tomorrow or not at all and we don't want the children to miss out.
We are leaving at 9am when the temperature should be comfortable. We cannot predict road conditions and the biggest risk we face is getting stuck in a traffic jam with temperatures rising. We will check traffic reports and adjust routes if needed but also be prepraed to turn back home if there is widespread gridlock on the road network. If there is slow moving traffic we will re-route as soon as possible to avoid the congestion. If traffic is stationary then we will take children off the vehicles as soon as it is safe to do so. We will find a shady spot to wait until we can get moving again. This also applies to the return journey. Today hasn't seen any significant issues on the routes we are planning to take.
The forecasted temperature for Margate area tomorrow is reaching 34 degrees at 2pm with a relatively stiff breeze. This is 4 degrees cooler than Wouldham. The coastal areas can also be cooler. We are visiting a lifeguarded section of beach and will allow children as much cooling off in the sea as they want. We have a large number of competent adults who will be prepared to join them in the water. There have always been cold water showers available on the promenade as well.
There is limited shade at the beach and if it gets too hot we will move to a local park that has good tree cover.
We are taking significant additional water to replenish bottles as well as other drinks to enjoy. We will also take children to buy an ice cream if they want one.
The tide will start to come in during the afternoon and we will relocate to the arcades on Margate seafront. We expect these to be air conditioned but will be prepared to change plans if not.
We had then planned to go and enjoy fish and chips at the seafront but will now change this to a trip to McDonalds. This will be an indoor air conditioned experience. We will then return home and may be back earlier than expected but will keep you informed by text.
We need you to make sure you send your child with adequate drinks (not fizzy), food and snacks as well as suitable clothing. A wide brimmed hat is best for sun protection. Sun cream needs to be applied before leaving but also needs taking for topping up throughout the day. A towel is needed and a second one would be useful as this can be soaked in water and draped over the body.
We appreciate people's concerns about this heatwave and fully support any parental wishes to keep their child at home instead. A day within school is likely to be just as hot, if not hotter and there wouldn't be the opportunity for the activities that we are looking forward to at the seaside.
We will contact those people we haven't heard from to check whether or not you are wanting to be included and to be able to pay for the McDonalds meal.
Thank you.