The UK government is contemplating a rule change that would introduce temperature limits in school buildings across England and Wales, in response to the increasing frequency of heatwaves. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has not ruled out such measures after the record-breaking warm spring, with the Met Office forecasting a "warmer than normal" summer.
Background on the Proposed Rule Change
The Labour Party government is actively considering implementing maximum working temperatures for schools. This follows sustained pressure from teaching unions, notably the National Education Union (NEU), whose general secretary Daniel Kebede has been vocal about the need for change. Speaking to Tes, Kebede stated: "A maximum working temperature for schools would encourage investment into making schools heat-resilient, with mitigations such as air conditioning, which would protect learning, the important exam period, and keep staff and children safe and comfortable."
Government Response
Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the challenges posed by rising temperatures. In an interview with The Mirror, she said: "We'll always look closely at what schools need and I do recognise that some of the temperature fluctuations that we see, and particularly some of the hot weather in recent years, can make life really difficult for teachers and staff and can kind of have an impact on children's learning as well." Her comments suggest that the rule change is firmly on the table.
Climate Context
The Met Office has confirmed that spring 2026 was the warmest on record, with all three months ranking among the top 10 warmest. Dr Emily Carlisle, a Met Office scientist, explained: "This spring highlights both the natural variability of the UK’s weather and the longer-term warming we are observing. While conditions varied through the season, all three months of meteorological spring recorded mean temperatures within the UK’s top 10 warmest on record." She added that nine of the ten warmest springs in England have occurred since 2007, illustrating an ongoing climate shift.
Heatwave Forecast
Forecasters predict more heatwaves in the coming months, with the Met Office's three-month outlook for June, July, and August suggesting above-average temperatures. This has intensified calls for action to protect students and staff in schools across England and Wales.
