Protecting Pupils from the Sun
As spring turns to summer and the temperatures rise, teachers inevitably start to think about taking their classes outside. A change of environment can give a class a huge boost and with a little forward planning and some basic sun protection, outdoor learning can be an enjoyable and valuable part of the curriculum.
The Facts and the Dangers
Children spend almost half of their childhood in schools, with up to eight hours a week outdoors. UV radiation from the sun is at its fiercest between 11am and 3pm, so special consideration must be given to protecting students if they're engaging in any outdoor activities during this period. The delicate skin of a young person can burn within minutes, which could lead to them developing skin cancer in later life.
Worryingly, a 2011 All-Part Parliamentary Group survey on skin revealed that almost 40% of pupils had suffered sunburn whilst at school. Melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, is now one of the most common cancers in people aged between 15-34.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that it is vitally important that adequate steps are taken to prevent young people from the dangers of sunburn, but some schools are unwilling to assist in the application of sunscreen, fearing child abuse allegations. Some schools even refuse to have sunscreen on the premises at all. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states:
“Health and safety legislation does not prevent school staff from applying or helping pupils apply suncream. The Department for Education has already made clear that schools are expected to take a sensible approach to this issue. Simply using health and safety as a convenient excuse is misleading and unhelpful."
Common Misconceptions
It is imperative that students get into the habit of applying their own sunscreen - it requires regular reapplication throughout the day. For example, if sunscreen is applied to a child before they set off for school, by 10 am, it will need to be reapplied. The HSE go on to state that schools should be more proactive when it comes to safety in the sun - it is not enough to just ask children to wear hats and long-sleeved tops as some children will find this impractical and uncomfortable.
- A 2016 NICE document on the risks and benefits of sunlight exposure highlights some of the common misconceptions regarding sunlight exposure:
- Even in cool or cloudy weather, it is still possible to burn in the middle of the day in summer, as well as other times during the year;
- There is no healthy or safe method to get a tan from sunlight;
- A suntan provides little protection against subsequent exposure to sunlight and the skin damage which may result, far outweighs any later protective effect;
- It is not possible to get enough vitamin D by sitting next to a closed sunny window; and
- It is not possible to get enough vitamin D from sunlight between October and March in the UK.
For more advice about staying safe in the sun, you can visit Cancer Research UK or Skcin.
Implementing a Policy
Teachers should not be put off by the potential risks of outdoor learning and Cancer Research UK urges schools to develop their own sun protection policies, broken down into three main headings:
PROTECTION: providing an environment that enables pupils and staff to stay safe in the sun.
EDUCATION: learning about sun safety to increase knowledge and influence behaviour.
COLLABORATION: working with parents, governors and the wider community to reinforce awareness about sun safety and promote a healthy school.
They also recommend a five-step approach to planning:
- Look at what the school is already doing to promote sun safety behaviour. This will help to identify what needs to be done and how much progress is being made;
- Setup a meeting to discuss the development of a school sun protection policy;
- Prepare a draft of your policy in consultation with users;
- Get feedback on your draft policy and present the final draft to key decision makers for their approval; and
- Implement the policy and publicise it so everyone is aware of what the teacher is trying to achieve and why.
Education is the key to ensuring that any school related outdoor activities are both rewarding and more importantly, safe.
Skcin – a charity set up to raise awareness of the prevention and early detection of skin cancer points out that "the majority of all skin cancers are preventable by undertaking simple sun safety measures".
With some basic information and a little common sense, moving out of the classroom on a sunny afternoon could be an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Handsam Resources
You can find out more about sun protection in our Handsam Quick Guide document: HEO06 England Sun Protection Guidance.
For more information regarding the risks of sun exposure, you can also visit the NICE website here.
Handsam can provide you with an Example Sun Protection Policy.
Please contact us via on 03332 07037 or email info@handsam.co.uk, for more information and pricing.