MP challenges Government over hot schools

By Laura Linham 29th Jun 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke has challenged the Government over extreme temperatures in schools, warning that pupils and staff are being put at risk in overheated classrooms.

The Liberal Democrat MP raised the issue during Education Questions in Parliament, asking ministers what immediate action is being taken to protect children and school staff during the current heatwave. She also called for dedicated funding to help schools adapt to rising temperatures.

Ms Dyke said forecasts showed temperatures in Somerset could exceed 35C this week. She warned that some classrooms could breach safe working thresholds by as much as 10C, risking serious disruption to learning.

Speaking in the House of Commons, she said: "This week, temperatures in Somerset are forecast to exceed 35C, and some classrooms are set to breach safe working thresholds by as much as 10C, risking serious disruption to learning.

"What immediate steps is the Secretary of State taking to protect pupils and staff from this extreme heat, and what dedicated funding will be made available to schools to retrofit for heat resilience, to prevent repeated disruption to education in future heatwaves?"

Her intervention comes after heat warnings affected parts of southern England, with schools and families facing disruption during another spell of hot weather. Ms Dyke said rising temperatures are becoming an education issue as well as a public health concern.

Research cited by the Liberal Democrats says overheating is already a significant problem in schools in England, with 32 per cent of schools reporting overheating in at least one building. The party also said that, without adaptation measures, extreme heat could make learning difficult for up to eight days each year by the end of the century.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to invest in cooling measures for schools, hospitals and care homes. The party is also urging ministers to open air-conditioned public buildings, including libraries, leisure centres and community facilities, as "cool hubs" during periods of extreme heat.

Ms Dyke said: "Children cannot be expected to learn effectively in sweltering classrooms, particularly when many are already sitting important exams. Staff should not have to work in unsafe temperatures either.

"Extreme heat is no longer a rare event. It is becoming an increasingly common feature of our summers, yet too many school buildings are simply not equipped to cope.

"The Government must recognise that climate resilience is now an essential part of our education infrastructure and must be built into our wider community infrastructure. We need urgent investment to retrofit schools, improve ventilation and cooling systems, and ensure pupils can continue learning safely during future heatwaves."