Figure 1.--Weather can significantly impact the school program. The morning break is something the children (anf teachers) really look forward to. It allows the children to unwind a bit. So rainy says can be frustrting to both the children and staff. |
One factor that has a major impact on schgool life is the weather. The schools try to plan as much outdoor activities as possible. The weaher does not, however, always cooperate. This is not entirely a seasonal matter. And 100-200 children cooped up inside for an extended period can be a major challenge, both for the children and the staff. Of course Winter weather is a problem, some yeaes more than others. But Brirain has a fairly mild climate, at least for its northery lattitude. Britain is of course noted for its often rainy climate. Inclement weather can greatly complicate the school day. The morning is not such a problem because the children are normally in their classes, although this presents problems for morning break. The children after working hard on the studies look forward to a break outside. And without a little physical activity the children can be restless in class. The real problem is in the afternoon which often involves games and other outdoor activities. Mere sprinkles will not keep the children inside, but outsoor activities on many day are affected by the rain. The schools have to have contigency plans to deal with 100-200 children on rainy days. And rain can affect daily activities throughout the school year.
Certainly the 1977/78 School Year will not be remembered affectinately fit its weather. Winter began early in November and kept going till nearky the end of the summeer term, apart from a warm spell at the end of May and beginning of June. One look at the oil bills will tell you this! After a wet summer holidays we had returnned to school hoping for some warm autumn days, but it was not to be.
Michael Floyd, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1978
The weather, since January, did its best to make our sporting activities as difficult as possible. Nonetheless we pressed on and, as the various sports reports record, we held our own in inter-school encounters.
AKAJ, The School Record Beachborough School, September 1979.
That we were able to play any hockey at all still remains a surprise to me. The weather was simply apaulling throughout the entire term, almost. First of all the snow lay thick on the field and when that went, then water remained. For the first five weeks of term we played, almost exclusively. 6aside in the gym. At least this benefits stick work.
AKAJ, The School Record Beachborough School, September 1979.
Undoubtedly it was the snow thatmade the greatest impact on the boys during the spring term. {Note: Our nglish friends like to complicate matters. Some schools call the first term the autumn term and the second term the spring term. This means that the sprng term includes much of the Winter as well as the beginning of Spring.] We didn't have as much as some parts of England. (A Headmaster frind of mine was marooned over half-term in his Forset cottage and couln't get bck to his school for 3 days) but it was the first real snowfall that many of the boys could remember and they made the most of it. Tobogganing down the slopes above the gamesfield was greatly enjoyed by both staff and boys and snowballing was the rage. As expected the hard frosts prevented the re-start of rugby for some time, and when the grounds were fit and the weather had warmed up, 'flu struck just when we thought we had escaped it! The Matrons coped wonderfully well, but for a forenight there was great disruption and nearly ll the boarders and many of the day boys had retired to bed for a few days. Fortunately only Miss Foster of the teaching staff was laid low, though Mtron finally succumbed. 'Quis custodiet custodeientes"? Huge log fires in the Library did much to raise morale of the sick. Itwas a pity that the Rugby suffered first from the snow and then from the 'flu, as the 1st XV won all the matches they played and looked to have the makings of a skilful if small side.
Michael Floyd, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1978
I shall remember the summer term with mixed feelings. The lack of any real summer weather, apart from 2 weeks before Half-Term, and a week at the end, was a cruel blow to the many activitoes that go on outside and benefit from the sun. Nevertheless it was a full term as ever and much was achieved.
Michael Floyd, The Bramcote Magazine, Autumn 1978
