As the weather gets hotter, it can be tempting to keep your child at home. However, coming to school right now is actually one of the best things for their mental health and well-being.

Extreme heat can make teenagers feel moody, anxious, and sluggish. When they stay home, they often end up isolated in their bedrooms or spending too much time on screens, which can make their mood drop even further.

Coming to school helps them in three major ways:

• Routine keeps them grounded: Having a normal schedule gives them a sense of certainty and safety when the weather feels chaotic.

• Being with friends boosts mood: Laughing and talking with peers helps lower stress and reminds them they aren’t alone in dealing with the heat.

• A cool, low-stress space: We are keeping classrooms dark and ventilated, adapting PE lessons and moving lessons to rooms with air conditioning.

To help your child stay calm, comfortable, and ready to learn, please focus on these simple steps:

• Pack a big water bottle: Dehydration causes headaches and anxiety. We have plenty of chilled water stations around the school for refills.

• Protect their sleep: Heat makes it hard to sleep, which leads to irritability. Keep bedrooms as cool as possible and encourage them to turn off phones before bed.

• Keep things positive: Teenagers pick up on our energy. If we stay calm and positive about managing the heat, they will feel much more resilient too.