As summer temperatures continue to rise, schools are increasingly facing a challenge that many buildings were never designed for: overheating.
Recent discussions around introducing a maximum temperature for workplaces in the UK have brought the issue into sharper focus. While there is currently no legal maximum workplace temperature, expectations around managing heat are clearly beginning to shift.
Most schools already know they have that one classroom that becomes uncomfortably warm during the summer months. During recent heatwaves, some schools have recorded temperatures above 26–29°C, creating challenges not only for comfort but for learning and wellbeing.
With temperatures expected to exceed 35°C in some areas this week and a Met Office Red Warning in place for parts of the UK, schools should be taking extra precautions. Red Warnings are only issued when weather conditions pose a significant risk to health and daily life, making it important for schools to review their plans and consider how they will keep pupils and staff safe during periods of extreme heat.
Research suggests that learning is most effective below around 22°C. As temperatures rise, concentration, motivation and behaviour can all be affected, making classroom temperature more than just a comfort issue.
Start by Understanding Your Hotspots
Before considering any major changes, it’s important to understand where the biggest challenges exist.
A simple starting point is to:
- Place thermometers in your warmest classrooms
- Record temperatures during warmer days
- Identify patterns throughout the day
- Highlight rooms that consistently become uncomfortable
Gathering this information creates a useful baseline and helps schools build a clearer picture of their learning environment. It could also prove valuable should future guidance or expectations around workplace temperatures change.
With a Met Office Red Warning in place for parts of the UK, it is entirely reasonable for schools to consider cancelling events or, in exceptional circumstances, closing the school. These are decisions that no Head Teacher takes lightly, but the wellbeing and safety of pupils and staff must always come first.
Support Wellbeing During Hot Weather
Hot classrooms can affect more than learning outcomes. They can also have a significant impact on the wellbeing of pupils and staff.
Simple measures can help reduce the effects of high temperatures:
- Encourage regular drink breaks and hydration
- Allow access to cooler shared spaces where possible
- Keep an eye on anyone who appears unwell
- Ensure anyone showing signs of overheating is cooled down quickly
Small interventions can make a noticeable difference during periods of prolonged hot weather.
Low-Cost Actions Schools Can Take Now
Managing classroom temperatures does not always require significant investment.
Many schools can improve comfort levels through straightforward measures such as:
- Using blinds to reduce solar heat gain
- Ventilating buildings early in the day before temperatures peak
- Avoiding the use of the hottest rooms during the warmest parts of the day where possible
While these actions may not solve every overheating issue, they can help reduce the impact on teaching and learning.
Looking Ahead
For schools planning refurbishment projects, estate improvements or new building developments, overheating should be part of the conversation.
As climate patterns continue to change, it is worth asking whether existing buildings are equipped to cope with hotter summers. Future projects may provide opportunities to improve ventilation, introduce shading measures or consider cooling solutions as part of wider estate planning.
The debate around workplace temperatures may still be evolving, but the reality in many schools is already here.
SchoolPro TLC Ltd (2026)
SchoolPro TLC guidance does not constitute legal advice.
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