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Secondary schools across England close as extreme heat reaches dangerous levels in classrooms

Secondary schools joined primary institutions in closing across England as classroom temperatures became unsafe during extreme heat conditions.

Asude Karataş • 25 Haziran 2026 00:00 • 3 dk okuma • 10 görüntülenme

Over 1,000 secondary and primary schools across southern England have closed or dismissed students early due to extreme heat, with classroom temperatures reaching dangerous levels that have caused pupils to suffer physical illness. A rare red weather warning issued for parts of Essex and surrounding counties has forced education leaders to prioritise child safety over attendance.

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Unsafe Learning Conditions Force School Closures
Infrastructure Failures and Funding Gaps
Official Guidance Versus School Reality

Unsafe Learning Conditions Force School Closures

Stanway Primary School near Colchester exemplifies the crisis facing education facilities during the heatwave. Temperatures inside classrooms reached 30 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, creating what school leadership described as "absolutely unbearable" conditions. Pupils experienced nosebleeds and physical sickness as poorly-ventilated buildings trapped heat with limited relief options. Windows could only be partially opened, and despite deploying fans and opening doors, staff could not effectively regulate classroom temperatures in buildings of mixed ages.

Around 11 schools in the Essex County Council area alone closed or partially closed on Wednesday. The rare red weather warning extended from Wednesday morning until Thursday evening, indicating possible significant health risks to the wider population and prompting widespread closure decisions across southern England.

Infrastructure Failures and Funding Gaps

School leaders have highlighted a critical gap between government guidance and available resources. Stanway Primary's head teacher Rebecca Loader stated the school had "no money available for normal school repairs, let alone installing air conditioning." She accused the government of leaving responsibility to local authorities and schools while providing insufficient funding and guidance. Loader criticised the government's heatwave guidance as not "particularly robust," calling for a comprehensive audit of aging school buildings to prepare for future climate challenges.

The Department for Education countered that it is investing more than £700 million through its Renewal and Retrofit Programme and allocating almost £20 billion to rebuild over 750 schools. The department also noted that new school designs incorporate effective ventilation and shading, and it provides practical guidance to schools on using air conditioning and other cooling methods.

Official Guidance Versus School Reality

Government guidance advises against school closures during hot weather, emphasizing that attendance is essential for pupil learning outcomes. Recommendations include relaxing uniform policies, encouraging loose light-coloured clothing, providing sunhats, applying high-factor sunscreen, and keeping children in shaded areas outdoors. However, school leaders argue that such measures cannot address the fundamental problem of non-air-conditioned buildings during extreme temperatures when heat alerts reach red level.

Why are secondary schools closing during the heatwave?+

Classroom temperatures have become dangerously high in buildings with limited ventilation, causing pupils to experience physical illness including nosebleeds. School leaders have made closure decisions to protect child safety when conditions reach unsafe levels, particularly during red weather warning periods.

How many schools have closed across England?+

Over 1,000 secondary and primary schools shut or closed early during the extreme heat period. In Essex County Council alone, approximately 11 schools closed or partially closed on Wednesday.

What temperatures were recorded inside classrooms?+

Temperatures inside classrooms at affected schools reached up to 30 degrees Celsius, with school leaders describing conditions as "absolutely unbearable" for safe learning and teaching.

What is the government doing to address aging school buildings?+

The Department for Education is investing more than £700 million through its Renewal and Retrofit Programme and allocating almost £20 billion to rebuild over 750 schools with improved climate resilience, ventilation, and shading.

What do schools say about the government's heatwave guidance?+

School leaders have criticised the government's heatwave guidance as not "particularly robust" and argue it fails to address the fundamental problem of non-air-conditioned buildings during extreme heat. They say schools lack funding for necessary infrastructure improvements beyond basic repairs.

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