Re: The news regarding air quality and primary school PE on Thursday, April 3.

I have a concern as a parent regarding air quality and pollution – the news issued by DEFRA and the Health Protection Agency with regards to the air quality being the worst for 50 years and affecting the whole of the South East, including High Wycombe.

The national advisories on all media told the very old, the young and those vulnerable to lung/heart problems to not partake in any forms of strenuous activity be it mainly outside or even inside to a lesser extent. Schools should note this may include primary school age children and any person with asthma of any age, including teachers/pupils. With this information, I would recommend schools consider anyone, child or teacher, weigh up the risk of not undertaking PE outdoor activities as inferred when DEFRA issues a nine or ten maximum for bad air quality.

After contacting Bucks CC, I have been advised since the restructure of schools and academies that the onus is now on each school to have a policy to deal with this situation as it sees fit. Parents should be aware that it is now their responsibility to contact the school if they wish their own child to refrain from physical education activities during these very high air quality alerts.

I have asked for my asthmatic primary age child to refrain from outdoor activities for the day during this period of high risk. Are other parents aware that schools are not obliged to consider these issues unless parents raise their concerns? — Arif Ali, Associate Governor, Highcrest Academy, High Wycombe