Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will update guidance for schools on mitigating poor air quality.

The department takes the health, safety and wellbeing of school users very seriously. ‘Building Bulletin 101’, published by the department, provides non-statutory guidance on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-bulletin-101-ventilation-for-school-buildings.

Further guidance on ventilation is included in the ‘Good Estate Management for Schools’ guidance, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety. The department has also produced operational guidance on using CO2 monitors and managing ventilation, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-co-monitors-and-air-cleaning-units-in-education-and-care-settings.

The department regularly reviews its guidance to ensure that it aligns with best practice and industry standards, to deliver high-quality school environments.