As Somerset braces for temperatures soaring up to 36°C on Wednesday, June 24, local schools face significant disruptions amid an amber weather warning. In response, Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has called on the government to provide targeted funding to retrofit schools, enhancing their resilience against future heatwaves and minimizing interruptions to education.
Several schools across Somerset have already announced partial closures this week to safeguard pupils and staff from the extreme heat. Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Ms. Dyke addressed Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in the House of Commons on June 22, emphasizing the growing threat posed by rising temperatures.
She stated, “This week, temperatures in Somerset are forecast to exceed 35°C, with some classrooms reaching unsafe heat levels up to 10 degrees above recommended thresholds. This puts the learning environment and everyone’s wellbeing at serious risk. What immediate measures is the department taking to protect pupils and staff, and what dedicated funding will be made available to retrofit schools for heat resilience to prevent repeated disruption?”
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While Ms. Phillipson acknowledged the need for schools to adapt to increasing temperature fluctuations, she stopped short of committing to immediate funding. Instead, she encouraged school leaders to use their discretion in managing the situation, including measures such as relaxing uniform policies and limiting strenuous physical activities during extreme heat.
She responded, “As we refurbish and rebuild schools, we recognize the importance of designing them to handle temperature extremes. Managing these challenges is ultimately a decision for headteachers and school leaders. We trust them to take appropriate actions to ensure the health and safety of pupils and staff during this hot weather.”
With climate change intensifying heatwaves, calls for proactive investment in school infrastructure to safeguard education continuity and wellbeing in Somerset are growing louder.