Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of schools are closing or shortening hours due to extreme heat.
- Education unions warn ageing school buildings are unsafe during heatwaves.
- Governments urge safety measures as temperatures approach 40C.
Hundreds of schools across England and Wales are facing heatwave school closures this week, with many closing or shortening school days this week as a severe heatwave pushes temperatures toward 40 degrees Celsius, prompting unions and school leaders to warn of risks to pupils and staff.
School leaders across southern England and parts of Wales are adjusting schedules to avoid the hottest periods of the day. Many schools are dismissing students early, while others are closing entirely for one or more days because of concerns about classroom conditions and student safety.
Education unions say many school buildings are not equipped to handle extreme heat, making heatwave school closures more frequent. Schools are using fans and portable air-conditioning units where available, but some administrators report shortages as demand rises during the heatwave.
Unions Warn Schools Face Dangerous Conditions
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said many older school buildings become dangerously hot during periods of extreme weather.
“Our Victorian school buildings have become greenhouses,” Kebede said. He urged the government to invest in ventilation, shading, and cooling infrastructure, adding that expecting schools to operate normally under current conditions is unsafe.
Stacey Booth, a national officer for the GMB union, said school support staff are reporting inadequate cooling measures in classrooms, kitchens, and other work areas. Booth called on the Department for Education to provide funding for additional fans, cooling equipment, and water supplies.
Schools Adjust Operations Across Affected Areas
London boroughs are among the hardest-hit areas, with numerous primary schools allowing parents to collect children early due to heatwave school closures. Schools in Berkshire, Wiltshire, and other regions have also announced closures or reduced hours.
St. John’s Marlborough, a secondary school in Wiltshire, informed parents it would close from lunchtime on Tuesday and remain shut through Thursday because of the heat alert.
Parents have expressed concern about the impact of closures on working families during these heatwave school closures. Lucy, a parent in Bristol who declined to provide a surname, said her children’s primary school would close after lunch on Tuesday and remain closed until Friday.
She said school closures can create difficulties for families, particularly single parents and households where both adults work.
Government Urges Schools to Manage Heat Risks
The Department for Education said schools are generally expected to remain open during hot weather, and that attendance remains important for student learning.
“School attendance is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential, and hot weather can usually be managed safely,” a department spokesperson said. The department advised school leaders to follow official heat-health guidance and take steps to keep children safe and comfortable.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said many schools, especially smaller primary schools housed in older buildings, are poorly equipped to handle temperature extremes. He called for faster government action to modernize school facilities.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Parliament that the government recognizes the need to ensure school rebuilding and refurbishment projects are designed to cope with increasingly frequent temperature fluctuations.
In Wales, the government has reminded local education officials to follow safety guidance for children and staff during hot weather, particularly for younger children and those with medical conditions or disabilities, to avoid heatwave school closures.
Schools in affected regions have also warned that transportation services, including school buses, may face disruptions because of the heat. Many have relaxed uniform requirements, allowing students to wear physical education clothing instead of standard uniforms.
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