Protecting Students from the Sun

As the warmer days of spring give way to summer, teachers often start thinking about taking their lessons outdoors. A change of scenery can provide a significant boost to students, and with some planning and basic sun protection measures, outdoor learning can become an enjoyable and valuable part of the curriculum.

Developing a Sun Protection Policy

Teachers shouldn’t be discouraged by the potential risks of outdoor learning. Cancer Research UK encourages schools to create their own sun protection policies, focusing on three key areas:

• PROTECTION: Create an environment where both students and staff are safe from the sun.

• EDUCATION: Teach students about sun safety to raise awareness and influence behavior.

• COLLABORATION: Work with parents, governors, and the wider community to reinforce sun safety practices and create a healthy school culture.

Cancer Research UK also suggests a five-step approach to developing a sun protection policy:

1. Assess current efforts: Review what your school is already doing to promote sun safety. This will highlight areas for improvement.

2. Hold a meeting: Discuss the creation of a comprehensive sun protection policy.

3. Draft the policy: Prepare a draft of the policy, consulting with all relevant parties.

4. Gather feedback: Review the draft, making any necessary adjustments before presenting it for approval.

5. Implement the policy: Once approved, roll out the policy and make sure everyone is aware of the goals and guidelines.

Why Education is Key

The goal is to ensure that outdoor activities are both enjoyable and safe for students. Skcin, a charity dedicated to the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, notes that “the majority of skin cancers are preventable by following simple sun safety practices.”

With the right knowledge and a little bit of common sense, taking the class outside on a sunny day can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Additional Resources

To learn more about sun protection, consult the Handsam Quick Guide: HE006 Sun Protection Guidance. Handsam also offers an example sun protection policy, and you can reach out to us at 03332 07037 or email info@handsam.co.uk for further details or pricing.

The Risks of Sun Exposure

Children spend a large portion of their childhood in school, with many of them spending up to eight hours a week outdoors. The sun’s UV rays are at their strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., making it crucial for teachers to take special precautions when students are outside during these hours. A child’s delicate skin can burn quickly, potentially leading to skin cancer later in life.

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is now one of the most common cancers among young people aged 15 to 34.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) emphasizes that taking appropriate measures to protect students from sunburn is essential. However, some schools are hesitant to assist with sunscreen application due to concerns about potential child abuse allegations. In fact, some schools even refuse to allow sunscreen on their premises. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has clarified that health and safety laws do not prevent school staff from helping students apply sunscreen. The Department for Education has also stressed that schools should take a reasonable and balanced approach to this issue, and using health and safety concerns as an excuse is misleading.

Common Misunderstandings About Sun Safety

It’s crucial that students learn the habit of applying sunscreen regularly throughout the day. For instance, if sunscreen is applied before school, it will likely need to be reapplied by mid-morning. The HSE encourages schools to be proactive about sun safety—simply asking students to wear hats and long sleeves is not enough, as some children may find these measures uncomfortable or impractical.

Common Misconceptions About the Sun:

• You can still burn on cool or cloudy days—UV rays can damage the skin even when it doesn’t feel hot outside.

• There is no safe way to get a tan—tanning from sunlight doesn’t offer real protection against future sun exposure and can lead to skin damage.

• A suntan provides little protection against further sun exposure.

• You cannot get enough vitamin D by sitting near a window—sunlight coming through a closed window doesn’t provide sufficient UV rays for vitamin D production.

• In the UK, you cannot get enough vitamin D from sunlight between October and March.