Thousands of schools in England and Wales have closed early or taken other measures to cope with a severe heatwave, drawing criticism from some quarters who accuse institutions of 'mollycoddling' children. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has urged parents to send their children to school if they remain open, emphasizing that every day of missed lessons has a cost, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
In response to the extreme heat, which has seen Met Office red warnings issued for parts of the country, headteachers have implemented a range of actions. These include complete closures, early dismissals, and adjustments like relaxing uniform rules. Some parent-teacher associations have launched fundraisers for essential cooling equipment such as air conditioning units and fans.
Phillipson stated that teachers are taking steps to keep students cool and hydrated, including modifying uniform policies, ensuring adequate water breaks, and avoiding strenuous activities. She advised parents to pack water bottles and sunscreen, trusting that schools have measures in place to manage the conditions.
However, the closures have met with frustration from some parents who argue that schools are a safer environment for children than potentially unsuitable home settings, especially for those from lower-income families living in apartments without air conditioning. Broadcaster James Hanson suggested that shutting schools might not be in the best interest of children, drawing parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic and questioning the difference between a child sweltering at home versus a classroom under adult supervision.
Similar sentiments were echoed by commentator Emma Woolf, who questioned the rationale behind 'extreme heat' closures and highlighted the disparity between well-resourced families and those less fortunate. Annunziata Rees-Mogg, a former Brexit Party MEP, posted the weather forecast and questioned the necessity of school closures for what appeared to be moderate summer weather.
Across England, numerous schools reported closures or reduced hours due to the heat. For instance, over 100 schools in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hampshire were affected, with more than 200 in Somerset shut or operating on limited schedules. Schools in London, Essex, East Sussex, West Berkshire, Devon, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire also experienced disruptions.
One school that remained open, Harris Primary Academy Mayflower in Chafford Hundred, Essex, implemented measures such as serving ice lollies during lessons and allowing water play to help children stay cool. Pupils also had the option to wear lighter clothing instead of uniforms. Many schools that closed cited the red weather warnings and the difficulty in maintaining a safe and comfortable learning environment, particularly given the lack of air conditioning and potential risks associated with commuting.
Unions have also weighed in, with the GMB calling for schools to act quickly when temperatures exceed 30C, recommending cooler spaces, reduced physical demands, increased water breaks, and uniform adjustments. They suggested closures as a last resort if these measures are not feasible.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the NASUWT teachers' union have advocated for modernizing school buildings and establishing a legally enforceable maximum classroom temperature. NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman noted that while there is no current legal upper limit, school leaders are making efforts to mitigate the heat's effects and called for government action to improve school infrastructure.
The NASUWT specifically called for a legally enforceable maximum temperature, citing concerns from members about classroom extremes affecting learning and teaching. They also suggested investment in better ventilation, insulation, shaded areas, and flood defenses to prepare schools for a changing climate.
The National Education Union (NEU) recommended an indoor temperature maximum of 26C and urged the government to invest in making schools resilient to extreme weather, including the rollout of air conditioning. The NEU highlighted that current government spending trajectories would take over 200 years to refurbish all schools, leading to continued disruption, especially for disadvantaged children.
In contrast to the UK's approach, France has also seen significant school disruptions, with 13,500 schools closed or on special schedules due to the heat. In Spain, schools typically shift to half-day schedules in June and September to avoid afternoon heat, and break for holidays earlier than some northern European countries.