Schools may receive maximum temperature guidelines in response to heatwaves, as proposed by Bridget Phillipson. The Education Secretary expressed a commitment to assessing the needs of schools following the recent record-breaking temperatures that led to calls from teaching unions for temperature limits in classrooms.
Phillipson referred to the Education Estates Strategy from February, outlining the government’s long-term plan to enhance school infrastructure to withstand climate changes. When asked about the potential for setting maximum school temperatures, she emphasized the importance of creating a comfortable learning environment amidst temperature fluctuations.
Acknowledging the impact of climate changes on school infrastructure, Phillipson highlighted ongoing investments in improving existing schools and constructing new facilities to adapt to environmental shifts. Additionally, she mentioned plans to introduce solar panels and enhance energy procurement processes for schools to address concerns about rising energy costs.
Pepe Di’Iasio, from the Association of School and College Leaders, and Daniel Kebede, from the NEU teaching union, supported the idea of implementing a maximum working temperature in schools to ensure student safety and learning efficiency. Surveys have indicated that a significant number of schools have experienced overheating issues, prompting the need for climate-resilient school buildings.
Recent risk assessments by the Department for Education warned that extreme heat events could disrupt learning in certain teaching spaces if global temperatures continue to rise. To address these challenges, a new £710 million program under the estates strategy aims to improve school infrastructure and enhance resilience to climate change, ensuring longevity and readiness for a net-zero future.
