UK Education Department Weighs 26C School Heat Limit as Classrooms Hit 40C
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 22
UK Education Department Weighs 26C School Heat Limit as Classrooms Hit 40C
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 22
Summary
The Department for Education said it is carefully considering proposals to set maximum indoor temperatures in schools after reports of pupils and teachers passing out and classrooms becoming unsafe during heatwaves.
The push comes as a red heat warning covers parts of the UK and the Climate Change Committee warns overheating disrupts learning, concentration and health; the National Education Union says 26C is an appropriate cap.
Schools described exam halls reaching 33C and some classrooms 40C, with heads saying children became sick, disengaged or unable to focus, while pupils with special educational needs were hit especially hard.
Parents, teachers and architects said many older school buildings trap heat and need upgrades such as shading, lighter surfaces, ventilation, trees and fans, not just air conditioning.
The debate adds pressure on ministers to invest in the school estate as hotter summers become more common; France has already shut more than 800 schools because of the heat.
With pupils fainting in 40C classrooms, why does Britain keep schools open while France orders them closed?
Experts have solutions to cool UK schools. What is preventing the £10 billion investment needed to make them safe?
The UK’s Overheating Schools Crisis: Health Risks, Learning Loss, and the Case for Maximum Temperature Laws
Overview
Classrooms across the UK are increasingly becoming uncomfortably hot, with some reaching extreme temperatures of 40°C, making them unbearable for pupils and staff. This overheating is not rare—many schools now experience days where indoor temperatures hit 35°C, which makes learning difficult and disrupts education. The problem is getting worse as the UK faces more frequent hot weather and climate shifts, leading to urgent calls for immediate action and policy changes to protect students and staff. Without effective adaptation, the health, well-being, and academic performance of children are at growing risk.