Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her department plans to make an assessment of the number of hours of education lost due to high temperatures in the week beginning 22nd June 2026.

The department does not specifically collect data on school days lost due to high temperatures.

It is for individual settings and responsible bodies to determine their approach to closure based on their own risk assessment. Closures should be considered a last resort, and the imperative is for settings to remain open where it is safe to do so.

Schools play an important safeguarding role and access to education remains a priority for pupils’ wellbeing and safety. Settings should seek to remain open and manage high temperatures through practical adjustments, with closure considered only where it is not reasonable or safe for pupils and staff.

Where settings are temporarily closed, they should provide remote education for the duration of the closure, in line with departmental guidance. Where possible, pupils should receive regular teaching and interaction with teachers, including live or structured input alongside independent work.