# UK school disruptions due to heatwaves

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-school-disruptions-due-to-heatwaves
> Updated: 2026-09-27T04:50:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Extreme heatwaves in the United Kingdom have caused significant disruptions to the education system, resulting in the loss of over 15 million teaching hours. Research indicates that at least 760,000 pupils in England and Wales missed lessons as more than 1,700 schools either closed or reduced operating hours. High classroom temperatures, sometimes exceeding 40C, led to reports of nausea, fainting, and heat stress among students and staff.

In response to these disruptions and instances of pupil illness, there are growing calls for increased government funding to improve school cooling and ventilation. While some schools reported temperatures as high as 37.5C, local authorities have cited limited capital funding to deny requests for air conditioning. Members of Parliament have urged the Department for Education to provide investment for school infrastructure, comparing the need to recent funding allocations for NHS buildings.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: UK schools face calls for cooling funds after heatwave illnesses

UK officials and MPs are demanding urgent funding for school air conditioning after heatwaves caused pupil hospitalizations and classroom temperatures to reach 37.5C.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-schools-face-calls-for-cooling-funds-after-heatwave-illnesses

### 2026-09-11: UK students lost 15 million teaching hours during June heatwave

A study reveals that heatwaves in England and Wales caused students to lose 15 million teaching hours in June due to school closures and heat-related absences.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-students-lost-15-million-teaching-hours-during-june-heatwave

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Cite as: UK school disruptions due to heatwaves. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-school-disruptions-due-to-heatwaves