How a new era of heatwaves could shake up the school calendar

Key Points:

• UK schools, particularly in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, have faced significant challenges during recent extreme heatwaves, with over 1,000 schools closing or sending pupils home early due to stifling classroom temperatures lacking air conditioning or adequate ventilation.
• Studies indicate that high classroom temperatures, especially above 24-26°C, impair student concentration and performance, potentially reducing learning by up to 8.2 days per year and lowering exam pass rates by around 10% during heatwaves.
• Climate change is causing UK summers to start earlier and become hotter, with the Met Office reporting multiple heatwaves and record-breaking temperatures, prompting calls from experts and parents to reconsider the timing of the school summer holidays to avoid peak heat periods.
• Some European countries have implemented heat guidelines triggering school closures or timetable changes during extreme heat, a model suggested for the UK to adopt, alongside potential infrastructure investments like air conditioning to make schools more climate-resilient.
• Any changes to the school calendar or infrastructure would require national-level coordination and significant investment, with educators and parents urging the government to develop short-term plans for managing "heat days" and long-term strategies to adapt education to a warming climate.