Sun Safety Policy

Aims

The aim of this sun safety policy is to protect children and staff from skin damage caused by the effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

The main elements of this policy are:

Protection: providing an environment that enables pupils and staff to stay safe in the sun.

Education: learning about sun safety to increase knowledge and influence behaviour.

Partnership: working with parents/carers, governors, and the community to reinforce awareness about sun safety and promote a healthy school.

Sun Safety

Did you know?

• Jersey has an average of 1,912 hours of sunshine per year – more than anywhere else in Britain.
• Jersey has more people diagnosed with melanoma than anywhere else in Britain, rate per 100,000 population is 34.3% in Jersey, 19.9% in the South-west of England and 14.9% in the UK ( https://www.cap.je/safety-advice/out-and-about/sun-safety/)

Getting out and about in the fresh air on a sunny day makes everyone feel good but it is very easy to get caught out and not be prepared for the strong sun rays that can cause painful sunburn. Getting sunburnt as a child increases the risk of developing skin cancer when older so being sun safe makes sense.

To enable children and staff to be protected from skin damage caused by the harmful ultra-violet rays in sunlight our school will:

• educate children throughout the curriculum about the causes of skin cancer and how to protect their skin.
• encourage children to apply sun creams, reapplying when necessary, and wear clothes that provide good sun protection.
• encourage children to keep hydrated and ensure there are regular breaks for them to do so.
• hold outdoor activities in areas of shade whenever possible, and encourage children to use shady areas during breaks, lunch-hours, sports and trips. Sunbathing is definitely discouraged.
• ensure physical education lessons are carefully planned to avoid sun exposure, unnecessary exertion and dehydration.
• work towards increasing the provision of adequate shade for everybody.
• encourage staff and parents to act as good role models by practising sun safety.
• regularly remind children, staff and parents about sun safety through newsletters, posters, and activities for pupils.
• make a judgement as to the temperature of classrooms and make internal arrangements to teach/learn in cooler areas where possible.
• ensure the Sun Safety Policy is working. We will regularly monitor our curriculum, assess shade provision, and review the sun safety behaviour of our young people and staff (use of hats, shade etc).

During periods of hotter weather and sunnier days pupils and staff should:

✓ wear hats when outside (preferably wide brimmed)

✓ wear sun cream and reapply when necessary

✓ drink water and ensure they keep hydrated throughout the day

✓ stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day between 11:00 and 15:00.

Parents and children must be encouraged to follow these procedures at home too.

Where possible, all doors and windows should be opened to provide a through breeze & classroom blinds should be drawn. In extreme weather, outdoor PE lessons should not last for more than 20 minutes when children should be brought indoors, given time to rest and drink water. Annual Sports' Day will be determined by preceding days' climate. Anyone spectating should not do so for more than 20 minutes at a time if in direct sunlight.

Pupils with Asthma, breathing difficulties or other relevant health conditions should avoid physical activities.

In rare cases, extreme heat can cause heatstroke. Symptoms to look out for are:

Cramp in arms, legs or stomach, feeling of mild confusion or weakness.

If anyone has these symptoms, they should rest for several hours, keep cool and drink water or fruit juice. If symptoms get worse or don't go away medical advice should be sought. If you suspect a member of staff or pupil has become seriously ill, call an ambulance. While waiting for the ambulance:

• If possible, move the person somewhere cooler.
• Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
• Cool them down as quickly as possible by loosening their clothes, sprinkling them with cold water or wrapping them in a damp sheet.
• If they are conscious, give them water or fruit juice to drink.
• Do not give them aspirin or paracetamol.

Sunscreen

What factor sunscreen (SPF) should I use?

Do not rely on sunscreen alone to protect yourself from the sun. Wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade when the sun is at its hottest.

When buying sunscreen, the label should have:

• a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB
• at least 4-star UVA protection (UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters "UVA" in a circle, which indicates that it meets the EU standard.)
• Make sure the sunscreen is not past its expiry date. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years.
• Do not spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.

What are the SPF and star rating? 

The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection. SPFs are rated on a scale of 2 to 50+ based on the level of protection they offer, with 50+ offering the strongest form of UVB protection. The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. You should see a star rating of up to 5 stars on UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating, the better. The letters "UVA" inside a circle is a European marking. This means the UVA protection is at least a third of the SPF value and meets EU recommendations. Sunscreens that offer both UVA and UVB protection are sometimes called broad spectrum.

How to apply sunscreen

Most people do not apply enough sunscreen. As a guide, adults should aim to apply around:

• 2 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're just covering your head, arms and neck
• 2 tablespoons if you're covering your entire body while wearing a swimming costume
• If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced.
• If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.

If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice:

• 30 minutes before going out
•  just before going out

Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer's instructions. This includes applying it straight after you have been in water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off. It's also recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin.

Wearing Sunscreen at school 

At JCP we will encourage our pupils to wear sunscreen and reapply on days when the UV is high.

• Pupils should come to school with sun cream already applied.
• Pupils are encouraged to bring in their own cream and reapply on hotter days before going out for a lunchtime play or afternoon PE sessions.
• Teachers will encourage, and teach, pupils to apply sunscreen independently, however younger children will be supported.
• School will provide sunscreen on the occasions that children forget their own.
• Where necessary, staff will apply sunscreen for pupils that are unable to do so themselves