An extreme amber heat warning has been issued by the Met Office until Thursday, June 25 with the mercury projected to swelter to a maximum of 38C in the coming days
The United Kingdom is set to swelter this week, with the latest heatwave expected to see the mercury come close to a staggering 40C. But what does that mean for the millions of students this week, packed into busy – and undoubtedly very sweaty – classrooms? An extreme amber heat warning has already been issued by the Met Office that will span from Monday, June 22 until Thursday, June 25 with temperatures on Monday and Tuesday forecast to max out at an eye-watering 38C. Separate amber heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency which now cover most of England from Monday morning until Friday night. While said health alerts warn Britons to drink plenty of fluids and to keep out of the sun, those stuck in stuffy classrooms have little choice over their own environment. As a result, schools across the UK are busily preparing for the boiling hot week ahead, with educators working to avoid heat exhaustion and fainting for students in hot weather, with both reported in recent years during unbearably warm conditions.
Why is hot weather such a problem in an educational setting?
Teachers, unions, schools, and parents have all raised concerns over classroom temperatures during the UK’s increasingly hot summers in recent years.
The heat can make it harder to focus at the best of times. Students with special educational needs or other conditions may struggle more during an intense heatwave – and they’re not alone. It’s also tough on teachers, who are struggling through the same heatwave while trying to teach children who are struggling to focus, one Deputy Head of a London secondary school told the i newspaper. “During the hottest days, teachers can barely teach, let alone students learn,” the senior teacher named ‘Daniel’ told the outlet. “My staff say it’s really hard to function properly.”
Will schools be forced to close during the June heatwave?
Although no official school closures have yet been announced during June’s heatwave, growing pressure is being placed on the Government to introduce rules allowing schools to shut when temperatures become dangerously high. Both 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” the proposals. Current DfE guidance states that schools should remain open during periods of hot weather, arguing that regular attendance gives pupils the best opportunity to learn and achieve their full potential. After the last heatwave earlier this year, teaching unions renewed calls for a legal maximum classroom temperature. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson declined to rule out the possibility when questioned in June. She did, however, acknowledge the challenges posed by higher temperatures in the classroom, saying periods of extreme heat can make conditions difficult for teachers and school staff and may also affect children’s ability to learn.
What can schools do to keep students (and staff) cool?
Some schools have been already taking precautionary measures, with students warned to make sure they bring refillable water bottles with them to class to drink and refill regularly throughout the day. Schools across the UK are also warning students to make sure they bring a hat to wear when outside and to make sure they apply sunscreen before leaving for school in the morning. One school in Wiltshire has dialled back its uniform policy to help beat the heat. From Monday, students can wear their regular uniform sans jumper and tie, or wear their PE uniform instead. Whitchurch High School told the WalesOnline it is putting some “sensible arrangements in place to help students remain safe and comfortable”.