Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to (1) track, and (2) publish, the number of learning days lost to extreme weather events, such as those that cause flooding or overheating.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department publishes attendance data, including reasons for absence such as setting closures.

Decisions on closures rest with individual settings and responsible bodies, based on their own risk assessments.

Closures should be a last resort, with the priority to keep settings open where safe. Settings are expected to provide remote education and the department’s emergency planning guidance explains how schools should deliver remote education. The guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings#exam-and-assessment-disruption.

Drawing on lessons from Covid, the department has strengthened monitoring of disruptions to provide faster support and reduce lost learning time.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many schools have implemented measures to be climate resilient in (1) a two degree centigrade, and (2) a four degree centigrade, rise in average global temperatures.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As part of our Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, we are helping all education settings to develop and implement climate action plans through a package of online and in person support. All climate action plans include taking action to become more climate resilient.

The department’s specification for the design and construction of new school buildings includes the requirement that they are built for a 2 degree rise in average global temperatures, and future-proofed for a 4 degree rise.

Engagement with the support has been positive. The department does not currently collect data relating to the number of schools with plans.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many schools have produced climate action plans.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As part of our Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, we are helping all education settings to develop and implement climate action plans through a package of online and in person support. All climate action plans include taking action to become more climate resilient.

The department’s specification for the design and construction of new school buildings includes the requirement that they are built for a 2 degree rise in average global temperatures, and future-proofed for a 4 degree rise.

Engagement with the support has been positive. The department does not currently collect data relating to the number of schools with plans.