Over 230,000 cases of non-melanoma are diagnosed annually in the UK and over 17,500 cases of melanoma, with around 90% of cases caused by UV exposure. Young skin is highly susceptible to UV damage, and sun exposure in the first 15 years of life contributes significantly to a person’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. Fair skin is the most vulnerable, particularly during peak UV hours, but all skin types need protection. See Information about melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
Younger pupils
Develop a sun safety policy
This should set out the school’s position on the use of protective clothing and sunscreen and provide information about measures being undertaken to protect pupils and staff from exposure to the sun. This policy should be sent to all parents so that it is widely known and the importance of sun protection is reinforced to them. In extreme heat, children and staff will need to stay out of the sun altogether.
Encourage the use of protective clothing
Parents should be encouraged to provide children with suitable long-sleeved clothing and wide-brimmed hats. Schools’ clothing policies should be amended where necessary to allow this, including changing PE uniforms from vests to t-shirts to ensure that shoulders are covered.
Encourage the use of sunscreens
The use of sunscreens is an effective way of preventing sunburn. The NHS recommends sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or above and at least 4-star UVA protection. See TUC guidance
The sun safety policy should promote the self-administration of sunscreen by pupils. Most children, apart from the very youngest and those with special needs, will be able to do so under supervision. Parents should be asked to provide suitable sunscreen for their children and be labelled with the pupil’s name. Schools may consider keeping additional sunscreen on site for pupils who forget theirs.
The policy should recognise that teachers and other school staff should not be required to apply sunscreen to pupils where it is not in their contract of employment. The NEU advises members not to apply sunscreen to pupils, mainly because of the potential for allegations of abuse but also because allergies to certain sun creams can make the situation more complicated.
The policy should, however, address the potential for allegations of abuse being made against teachers and other staff who have agreed to apply sunscreen. If schools decide to allow staff to apply sunscreen to pupils, parental consent should be obtained. Teachers and other staff who do wish to do so should only apply sunscreen to the face, neck and arms of pupils.
Younger and older students
Older students should be encouraged to apply sunscreen and wear suitable clothing, hats etc when the weather demands it.
Other points to consider, for both younger and older students, are:
Development of shady areas
In the medium to long term, schools/colleges may wish to consider ways of providing more shade in the playground, either by planting trees or providing shelters. In the short term, outdoor seats and equipment can be moved to shady areas.
Timetabling
Consider extending the morning break and shortening the lunch break during the summer term to minimise the time spent outside when the sun is hottest.
Sports days
If possible, sports days should be held in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday sun. Shady areas should be chosen for activities where available, and consideration can be given to temporary shade structures such as canopies. Parents and students should be encouraged to wear suitable hats, t-shirts and sunglasses and to regularly apply sunscreen and drink lots of water.
Include sun safety in lessons
Sun protection and the dangers of sunbed use can be incorporated into the curriculum, and promoted to students during the school year, for instance, in assemblies before the end of the summer term.
The PHSE curriculum sets out that sun safety (safe and unsafe exposure to the sun and skin cancer) should be taught in all English Primary schools It should also ideally be undertaken in Spring rather than at the end of the summer term. Schools may find the Sun Safe Schools programme, which includes free resources run by the Skcin charity, helpful.
Protecting education staff
Staff should not neglect to protect their skin from the effects of the sun. PE teachers, site maintenance staff and those supervising outdoor excursions should take particular care.
The Joint Union Heatwave Protocol sets out practical measures to help employers work together with union reps to prepare for future heatwaves so that learning is disrupted as little as possible and the health, safety and welfare of staff and pupils are protected. See also Making schools sustainable | National Education Union.