Following the amber heat alert currently affecting the Wirral and wider North West, we are
supporting members in managing the impact of high temperatures in school. We have contacted Head Teachers with our Union Guidance. Wall Thermometers can be collected from the local Office
Forecasts indicate temperatures may reach the high 20s to high 30s, and national agencies have confirmed that under an amber alert, “high impacts are likely”, meaning there is a strong probability of disruption and risk to health.
While Wirral is not within a red warning area, the nature of the potential impacts is similar, with the key difference being the level of certainty rather than severity. In school environments, where ventilation is often limited and buildings are not designed for sustained heat, it is entirely possible that working conditions may become unsafe, particularly during peak afternoon periods.
Schools must ensure that working and learning conditions remain safe.
There is no fixed maximum temperature, but employers have a legal duty to:
- assess the risk
- put effective control measures in place
- review these as conditions change
What schools should be doing
Schools should already be taking practical steps such as:
- improving ventilation and limiting heat build-up
- ensuring easy access to drinking water
- reducing heat-generating activities
- adapting timetables and reducing non-essential activities
- allowing flexibility where conditions become difficult
What you should do (with or without a rep) If you have a rep:
- Raise concerns through your NEU rep
- Ask to see the risk assessment and control measures
- Report if classrooms become excessively hot
If you do not have a rep:
You can raise concerns directly with SLT. For example:
“Given the current heat alert, can you confirm what risk assessment has been undertaken and what measures are in place to ensure safe working conditions, particularly as temperatures peak later in the day?”
You can also ask:
- how conditions are being monitored during the day
- what happens if classroom temperatures become excessive
- what flexibility is available if conditions worsen
You should raise concerns immediately if:
- classrooms become uncomfortably or excessively hot
- you or pupils feel unwell due to heat
- control measures are not in place or not effective
In these situations, it is reasonable to ask:
- for adjustments (room changes, timetable flexibility, reduced activities)
- for the risk assessment to be reviewed urgently
Where safe conditions cannot be maintained through control measures alone, further steps, such as closure, may need to be considered.
We recognise the pressure schools are under, but health, safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff must remain the priority.
If you have concerns or your school is not responding appropriately, please get in touch and we will support you.