Alun Ebenzer, the headteacher of Caldicot School in Monmouthshire, has defended his decision to keep the school open during a red weather warning for extreme heat, saying he was shocked that closing schools was even discussed. Speaking after hundreds of schools across Wales closed or altered schedules during last week's record-breaking heatwave, Ebenzer argued that young people need to learn that life can be tough and must come to school even when it is hot.
Record-Breaking Heatwave Hits Wales
Wales broke its all-time June temperature record on June 25, when temperatures reached 35.9°C at Bute Park in Cardiff. Monmouthshire experienced even higher peaks of 36°C to 38°C. During this period, the Welsh Government issued guidance urging schools and councils to prioritise safety, especially for younger children and those with medical needs, recommending relaxed uniform policies and increased access to drinking water. However, decisions to close were left to individual schools based on local conditions and risk assessments.
Alternative Curriculum of Resilience
Speaking on Teachers Talk Radio, Ebenzer admitted that pupils at Caldicot School did not learn much of the usual curriculum during the hottest days. Instead, they learned an "alternative curriculum" of resilience. He compared the situation to the 1976 heatwave, noting that schools did not close then and people "got on with it." He stated, "I can't believe we're having this conversation. It's just a bit hot." Ebenzer emphasised that nurses, doctors, farmers, and others all had to work through the heatwave, and young people needed to learn to turn up as well.
He elaborated: "The last two days (of the heatwave) in Caldicot they did not learn much about Macbeth or oxbow lakes. What they learned was a hidden curriculum - resilience, getting on with it and pushing through."
Autonomy for Schools
Ebenzer acknowledged that every school is different, with some buildings potentially being much hotter, and that his comments specifically applied to his decision for Caldicot School. He said, "I am not saying every school should have opened or every school should have closed. But in my context it was the right decision to stay open." He expressed surprise that closing was even a discussion, noting that similar conversations did not occur during the 1976 heatwave.
Attendance Data Impact
Had he opted to close on the two hottest days, the school would have recorded 100% attendance. Instead, attendance was 55% one day and around 30% the next, which will affect the school's data. However, Ebenzer said he has no regrets: "In some ways I have lost out but the children benefit." He reported that pupils enjoyed water fights and ice creams, making it potentially some of the best days at school. He also noted receiving "plenty" of supportive emails from parents.
Broader Views on Resilience and Mental Health
Ebenzer also commented on societal attitudes, saying, "I think we all come at life now with an idealistic viewpoint that we think life should be ideal. When it's not perfect we start to complain." He argued that life is sometimes hard, and building resilience is important. He cautioned against confusing everyday challenges with mental health problems, stating, "We are in danger of confusing anything being tough with mental health problems and anything not going our way we have to kick off."
