The United Kingdom is experiencing an exceptionally hot week, with a heatwave pushing temperatures towards 40C. This raises questions for millions of students in crowded, sweltering classrooms across Liverpool and Merseyside.
Heat Alerts and Health Warnings
The Met Office has issued an extreme amber heat warning from Monday, June 22 through Thursday, June 25, with temperatures predicted to reach 38C on Monday and Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency has also issued separate amber heat health alerts covering most of England, including Greater Manchester, from Monday morning through Friday night.
These alerts encourage people to stay hydrated and avoid direct sunlight, but students in stuffy classrooms have limited control over their environment. Schools are preparing for the scorching week, with teachers striving to prevent heat exhaustion and fainting among students, which have occurred in previous years.
Challenges of Hot Weather in Schools
Teachers, unions, and parents have raised concerns about rising classroom temperatures during increasingly hot summers. Extreme heat makes concentration difficult, especially for students with special educational needs. Teachers face the same oppressive heat while trying to teach. A deputy head at a London secondary school, named 'Daniel,' told the i newspaper: "During the hottest days, teachers can barely teach, let alone students learn. My staff say it's really hard to function properly."
Will Schools Close?
No official school closures have been announced during June's heatwave, but pressure is mounting on the Government to introduce rules allowing schools to shut when temperatures climb dangerously high. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have backed calls for a maximum temperature limit in classrooms. The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed it is "carefully considering" these proposals.
Current DfE guidance states that schools should remain open during hot weather, arguing that consistent attendance gives pupils the best chance to learn. However, teaching unions have renewed calls for a legally mandated maximum temperature. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the challenges, noting that extreme heat can create difficult working conditions and affect pupils' ability to learn.
Cooling Measures in Schools
Some schools have already implemented preventative measures. Students are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles for hydration. Schools advise pupils to bring hats for outdoor use and apply sunscreen before leaving home. A school in Wiltshire has eased uniform requirements, allowing students to wear regular uniform without jumpers and ties or PE kit instead. Whitchurch High School told WalesOnline it has "sensible arrangements in place to help students remain safe and comfortable."
