Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of the risks of high summer temperatures for school (a) children and young people and (b) staff in England.

During periods of high temperatures, individual leaders are responsible for managing their own local circumstances and are best placed to make decisions to adapt to their own situation. They should refer to the emergency planning guidance which can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1080970/Emergency_planning_and_response_for_education__childcare__and_children_s_social_care_settings.pdf.

They should also carry out risk assessments, in line with government guidance. This guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england/looking-after-children-and-those-in-early-years-settings-during-heatwaves-for-teachers-and-professionals?utm_source=14%20July%202022%20C19&utm_medium=Daily%20Email%20C19&utm_campaign=DfE%20C19.

Procedures should be adapted appropriately based on the individual medical needs of the children, young people, and adults in their care.

During the recent period of extreme heat in July, the department sent out two sector bulletin messages in the week leading up to the expected high temperatures, signposting education settings to all relevant guidance and published an Education Hub blog post with advice to settings on staying safe during a heatwave. The blog post can be found here: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2022/07/14/advice-for-schools-and-other-education-settings-during-a-heatwave/.