The UK is bracing for an exceptionally hot week as the Met Office issues an amber heat warning, with temperatures set to soar to 38C — but what does this mean for London students in sweltering classrooms?
Heatwave prompts amber warnings across England
Britain is bracing itself for a sweltering week ahead, as the ongoing heatwave looks set to drive temperatures towards a scorching 40C. The Met Office has already put in place an extreme amber heat warning, covering the period from Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25, with temperatures on both Monday and Tuesday forecast to hit a fierce 38C.
The UK Health Security Agency has separately issued amber heat health alerts, now covering the majority of England, including Greater Manchester, from Monday morning through to Friday night. While these health alerts are urging people throughout Britain to remain well hydrated and keep out of direct sunlight, those confined to stuffy classrooms have precious little control over their surroundings.
Schools prepare for extreme conditions
Consequently, schools across the UK are making extensive preparations for the blistering week ahead, with teachers working hard to prevent heat exhaustion and fainting among pupils in the extreme conditions – both of which have been reported in previous years during particularly gruelling spells of hot weather.
Teachers, unions, schools and parents have all voiced grave concerns about rising classroom temperatures during the UK's increasingly warmer summers in recent years. Extreme heat can make concentration difficult at the best of times.
Pupils with special educational needs or other conditions may find circumstances especially challenging during an extreme heatwave - and they are not the only ones facing this difficulty. Teachers encounter the same struggles, experiencing identical sweltering conditions while attempting to educate children who are struggling to focus, one Deputy Head at a London secondary school disclosed to the i newspaper.
"During the hottest days, teachers can barely teach, let alone students learn," the senior teacher named 'Daniel' told the publication. "My staff say it's really hard to function properly."
No formal school closures announced
While no formal school closures have been declared during June's heatwave, mounting pressure is being applied to the Government to establish regulations permitting schools to close when temperatures reach perilously high levels. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have both supported demands for a maximum temperature threshold in classrooms.
The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed it is "carefully considering" these recommendations. Existing DfE guidance suggests that schools should stay open during hot weather periods, maintaining that regular attendance provides pupils with the optimal opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.
Following the previous heatwave this year, teaching unions have revived demands for a legally binding maximum temperature in classrooms. When pressed on the matter in June, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stopped short of ruling out the possibility altogether. She did, nonetheless, recognise the difficulties that soaring temperatures present in schools, acknowledging that prolonged periods of intense heat can make working conditions particularly tough for teachers and support staff, while also hampering pupils' capacity to concentrate and learn.
Practical measures to beat the heat
Several schools have already introduced precautionary strategies, with students being encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to lessons to maintain adequate hydration throughout the school day. Schools across the UK are additionally advising pupils to wear hats when outdoors and to apply sunscreen before setting off from home in the morning.
One school in Wiltshire has relaxed its uniform policy in response to the sweltering conditions. From Monday, pupils may attend in their standard uniform without jumpers and ties, or alternatively opt for their PE kit. Whitchurch High School told WalesOnline it is putting in place "sensible arrangements in place to help students remain safe and comfortable."
