As Somerset braces for a sweltering heatwave with temperatures expected to reach 36°C on Wednesday, June 24, local schools face significant challenges in protecting pupils and staff from the rising heat. An amber weather warning is currently in effect throughout the region, prompting several schools to announce partial closures to safeguard children from the extreme temperatures.
In response, Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to provide dedicated funding aimed at retrofitting schools to withstand future heatwaves. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, June 22, Ms Dyke emphasized the urgency of equipping schools with heat-resilient infrastructure to minimise educational disruption during increasingly frequent hot weather events.
She stated, “This week, temperatures in Somerset are forecast to exceed 35°C, and some classrooms are expected to surpass safe working temperature thresholds by as much as 10°C, risking severe disruption to learning. What immediate measures is the secretary of state taking to protect pupils and staff from this extreme heat? Additionally, what funding will be allocated to retrofit schools for heat resilience to prevent repeated disruption in future heatwaves?”
READ MORE: June Bootids Meteor Shower Peaks This Week – Catch It on Your Phone
READ MORE: Authentic Georgian Garden Set to Open in Bath Later This Year
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, representing Houghton and Sunderland South, acknowledged the growing need for schools to adapt to fluctuating temperatures as part of refurbishment and rebuilding efforts. However, she did not commit to providing immediate funding. Instead, she urged headteachers to exercise discretion in managing heat risks.
“While schools are being updated, it’s important they are capable of coping with temperature changes like the current hot spell,” Mrs. Phillipson said. “School leaders are encouraged to relax uniform policies during hot weather and follow recommendations from the Department of Health and Social Care to limit vigorous physical activity among pupils when temperatures are exceptionally high. I trust them to prioritise the health and wellbeing of staff and students.”
As climate change intensifies, calls for systemic investment in heatproofing schools are growing louder to ensure safer learning environments and uninterrupted education during future heatwaves.