Schools across the UK are bracing themselves for a long and sweltering summer as the Met Office warns of increased heatwave risks. To mitigate the dangers, GOV.UK has issued new guidance urging educational settings to prioritise pupil safety through practical measures.
The advice centres on ensuring children stay hydrated by making water easily accessible, promoting regular breaks in shaded areas, and adjusting school timetables to avoid peak sun hours – typically between 11:00 and 15:00. Schools are also encouraged to relax uniform policies where possible, allowing pupils to wear cooler clothing, and ensure classrooms are well-ventilated.
While specific temperature thresholds for school closures aren't mandated, the guidance stresses that schools must continuously monitor Met Office weather warnings, which provide regional advice on heat health risks. In England, these warnings take the form of heat-health alerts from the Met Office, with local authorities offering additional support and guidance in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Practical safety tips for schools include promoting high-factor sunscreen use and encouraging pupils to wear wide-brimmed hats when outdoors. For younger children, staff should be vigilant for signs of heat stress – fatigue, dizziness, or excessive sweating – and undergo training on recognising and responding to heat-related illnesses.
With the Met Office forecasting warmer-than-average conditions through the summer months, this updated guidance serves as a timely reminder for educational institutions to take proactive steps in safeguarding their pupils' health.
Regional variations in temperature and heatwave intensity mean localised responses will be necessary. While southern England typically experiences the highest temperatures, heat health risks can affect all regions – as illustrated by recent yellow warnings for thunderstorms in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which highlighted the unpredictable nature of summer weather even as other areas experience high pressure and rising temperatures.