The short version
- More than 1,700 schools in England and Wales closed or ended early, affecting at least 760,000 students during the extreme June heatwave.
- Classroom temperatures frequently exceeded 40C, leading to health issues for staff and pupils and rendering traditional learning impossible in many facilities.
- Experts warn that repeated disruptions threaten to widen educational attainment gaps, particularly for disadvantaged communities lacking resources for climate adaptation.
A severe heatwave that struck the United Kingdom in June resulted in the loss of more than 15 million hours of classroom instruction, according to a recent study. The research indicates that at least 760,000 children across England and Wales missed lessons because their schools either closed entirely or dismissed students early. This disruption occurred as part of a broader pattern of extreme weather, with the June event being one of five significant heatwaves recorded in the UK during the summer months.
The physical conditions within many educational facilities reached critical levels. Temperatures inside some classrooms surpassed 40C (104F), creating environments where staff and students experienced heat stress, nausea, and headaches. Reports from educators describe scenes where learning became unfeasible; pupils were often found lying on floors with water bottles, suffering from exhaustion and discomfort. In several instances, the severity of the heat led to medical emergencies, with at least one teacher requiring hospital treatment for acute exposure.
The study, conducted by DeSmog, aggregated data from national and local news reports alongside official absence records to quantify the impact. It identified over 1,700 schools that altered their schedules due to the weather. In institutions that remained open, absenteeism rates climbed sharply as parents opted to keep children at home for safety reasons. Some families reported that students returned with severe heat rashes, prompting decisions to withdraw them from attendance until conditions improved.
Educators emphasized that the lack of adequate cooling infrastructure turned schools into spaces focused on survival rather than education. Teachers noted a rapid deterioration in student behavior and attention spans as temperatures broke records. The environment was described as unsustainable for both adults and children, with many students becoming distressed and calling for their parents. This breakdown in routine underscores the inadequacy of current building standards to handle extreme thermal events.
The broader societal impact of these closures extends beyond lost instructional time. The heatwave triggered red health alerts across multiple regions, forcing hospitals to cancel operations and workplaces to reduce hours. Nearly 2,900 excess deaths were attributed to the combined effects of the May and June heatwaves. For schools, which often provide essential services such as free meals and social connection, these disruptions pose significant risks to child welfare, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Academics and charity representatives warn that repeated interruptions could exacerbate existing educational inequalities. Nicola Gray from the University of Huddersfield noted that missed school days can lead to lower exam results and poorer mental health outcomes. Charlotte O’Regan of the Sutton Trust highlighted that students in deprived areas are disproportionately affected, as they lack the financial resources available to wealthier schools or parent groups to implement cooling measures.
The attainment gap, which widened significantly during previous crises such as the pandemic, faces new pressure from climate-related disruptions. State school leaders are already grappling with funding constraints, making it difficult to invest in necessary adaptations. Without intervention, weather events may become a persistent barrier to educational progress for those least equipped to cope. Experts argue that rapid systemic changes are required to ensure schools can function safely in a warming world.
Government officials acknowledged the challenges posed by hot weather but defended the performance of schools during the crisis. A Department for Education spokesperson stated that institutions did an excellent job maintaining safety and learning continuity. The department pointed to ongoing investments, including a £710 million renewal program and nearly £20 billion allocated for rebuilding over 750 schools, as steps toward greater climate resilience.
Looking ahead, scientists predict even more extreme temperatures in the coming years due to climate change and phenomena such as El Niño. Educators like Jenny Cooper, who retired after the heatwave, are calling for a comprehensive rethink of the school system. They argue that proper funding is essential to prepare facilities for rapidly changing environmental conditions, ensuring that schools remain safe and effective learning environments for all children.
The findings from this study provide the clearest picture yet of how extreme heat impacts education in the UK. As climate patterns shift, the ability of schools to adapt will determine whether educational equity can be maintained. The data suggests that without significant infrastructure upgrades and policy adjustments, future heatwaves could lead to even greater disruptions, further disadvantaging students from lower-income backgrounds.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Pupils missed 15m hours of school time during UK’s June heatwave, study finds
