Schools must take ‘immediate action’ to protect pupils and staff when temperatures top 30 degrees Celsius, GMB has said.
The union has written to the Department for Education calling for enhanced heat controls, reduced heat exposure, lowered physical demand and increased access to water.
If school leaders cannot reduce temperatures to comfortable and safe levels, they should consider closing the relevant parts of the school estate, the letter adds.
Today [Tuesday] is likely to be the UK’s hottest June day on record, with temperatures forecast to rise above 35C.
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, said:
“No pupil or member of staff should be expected to learn or work in unsafe levels of heat.
“Once temperatures exceed 30°C, schools should act quickly, use the cooler parts of the building, reduce physical demands, increase water breaks and make sensible adjustments to uniform and duties.
“These are practical steps that can make a real difference. If they can’t be done, school leaders should consider closing parts of the schools.”
