In the Courier this morning, there is an article about the difficulties with the heating and ventilation system at Grove Academy. This is based on comments from outgoing Head Teacher, John Hunter, who drew attention to this in his address to parents, carers and pupils at the Grove Prize Giving in the Caird Hall on Wednesday 29 June.
In essence his complaint is that the heating and ventilation system at Grove has yet to consistently deliver an optimum temperature for teaching and learning throughout the school. In a new school, this should be expected to be like Golidilock's porridge; classroom temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold; just right.
While Ken Guild, a Councillor in the Ferry and the Leader of the Council feigns surprise, he should know that these concerns have featured in the reports by John Hunter to meetings of the Parent Council. So this is nothing new, but one that the is overdue for sorting out.
As a result of the acknowledged heating and ventilation difficulties, Robertson's apparently employed a consultant to look into the issue. John Hunter has obviously had access to this but while I have requested a copy, so far none has been supplied. I hope that this will not be like other secret reports on the Education Department that have been repeatedly denied to opposition Councillors. I shall be raising the consultant's report again with the new Director of Education, Michael Wood, when I meet him this afternoon.
While Councillor Guild is right to point out that the new Grove is leased from the developer, Robertson Construction, and not yet owned by the Council, this does not mean that there is nothing the Council can do. In fact as the lessee (the customer), the Council should complain to Robertson's about the heating and ventilation system. If the lessor is not fulfilling their contract satisfactorily, the Council should have avenues for redress.
The regulations governing working temperatures in Scottish schools are contained in The School Premises (Scotland) Regulations, dating from 1967 and updated in 1973 and 1979. Minimum temperatures are 17˚C for classrooms, 18.5˚C for toilets and medical, changing and shower rooms, 13˚C for cloakrooms, corridors and gymnasiums and 10˚C for games halls. The maximum temperature is 28˚C. Significantly, the World Health Organisation has recommended a lower upper limit of 25˚C (75˚F). I think most of us would find 28˚C (82˚F) roasting and more conducive to falling asleep rather than helping us to engage in learning.
Apparently the Consultant's advice is that teachers should open more windows to reduce the temperature. This however seems a rather expensive way to regulate the temperature in a classroom since it affects the school's energy bills which have been soaring since the Grove moved into its new buildings.
I think parents, carers and teachers associated with Grove Academy need reassurance that this issue is being sorted out.
