Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that all primary schools are keeping children safe from the exposure to the sun during the school day.

Schools are responsible for safeguarding children in their care. We expect all schools to make sensible decisions about sun safety when temperatures are high.

The department’s Education Hub website signposts the UK Security Agency’s advice for teachers and other educational professionals on looking after children before and after hot weather, and the Health and Safety Executive’s advice for schools as employers.

We also expect schools to engage parents and pupils in discussions about what precautions are acceptable, including how schools adhere to the UK Security Agency’s advice around whether staff should administer sunscreen to younger pupils, whether children are allowed to carry their own sunscreen or cover up, wear sunglasses and a hat.

The department has no plans to introduce a national sun safe policy for primary schools. We believe schools are best placed to determine what measures are practical within the context of their school to minimise the risks arising from pupils being exposed to the sun during the school day.