UK Schools Advised to Wear More Clothes Amidst Rising Energy Costs

Schools in Northern Ireland have been advised to reduce heating and turn off lights to conserve energy as authorities anticipate substantial increases in utility bills. The Education Authority (EA) has warned head teachers that rising energy costs, influenced by geopolitical events including the US-Israel conflict, are expected to significantly impact school budgets during the 2026/27 financial year.

Gas bills for schools are projected to increase by 60%, escalating from £10.7 million to £17 million by March 2027. Electricity bills are expected to rise by 5%, from £23.8 million to £25.1 million in the same period. In response to these anticipated cost hikes, the EA is urging all schools to scrutinize their energy consumption and identify areas for reduction.

Among the suggested measures are reducing heating by an hour daily and utilizing natural daylight instead of artificial lighting. Staff and pupils have also been advised to "wear more clothes" if the temperature drops, rather than increasing the thermostat.

However, school principals have expressed concerns about the feasibility of implementing such measures. Kirsty Logan-Hall, principal of Tullygally Primary School in Craigavon, stated that while the school is committed to promoting responsible energy consumption, its ability to achieve significant reductions is limited by the building's age and energy efficiency challenges. She noted that the school's dispersed layout, necessary for accommodating specialist provisions, requires heating and lighting across multiple areas throughout the day to ensure appropriate learning environments, accessibility, and pupil welfare.

Logan-Hall emphasized that there is limited scope for reducing energy consumption without negatively impacting the quality of education, staff working conditions, or the well-being of pupils, particularly those with additional needs.