PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Date: 25/06/2026
Contact: Wirral NEU | Email: michael.farrelly@neu.org.uk 07841834833
As the current amber heat health alert grips the country, early findings from a snap poll of our members reveal a stark and growing crisis inside classrooms. Even at this early stage, responses show that schools are struggling to cope with extreme temperatures, with clear impacts on health, safety, and learning.
Initial responses indicate that around three-quarters of members (approximately 75%) report their classrooms as “extremely hot” or “difficult to work in”, with temperatures frequently exceeding 30°C and reaching as high as 34°C indoors.
These are precisely the kinds of conditions highlighted in national heat warnings—yet for many staff and pupils, they are now routine.
A key issue emerging from the poll is the lack of infrastructure to cope with rising temperatures. Over 90% of respondents report having no air conditioning, leaving classrooms reliant on minimal measures such as fans—often brought in by staff themselves.
Combined with poor ventilation and heat-trapping buildings, this is creating environments where temperatures become unbearable during the school day.
The impact on pupils is already serious. Early responses suggest that around two-thirds (60–70%) of members report pupils becoming unwell due to the heat, with symptoms including vomiting, fainting, dizziness, headaches, and extreme fatigue.
Members described pupils struggling to concentrate, lying on desks, and in some cases becoming visibly distressed—clear evidence that conditions are moving beyond discomfort into a health and safety concern.
Teaching and learning are also being significantly affected. Over 90% of respondents report reduced concentration among pupils and staff, alongside increased behavioural issues and disruption to lessons.
Some members said they are already having to scale back or adapt lessons, while certain rooms are becoming too hot to use altogether.
Concerns were also raised around access to water and toilet breaks, with some members reporting restrictions even during extreme heat.
During an amber heatwave—when hydration is essential—this is adding to pupil discomfort and increasing the likelihood of illness. Staff are similarly affected, with many reporting fatigue, dehydration, dizziness, and headaches, and some noting that high temperatures worsen pre-existing medical conditions.
Union Response
Michael Farrelly, District Secretary, said:
“These early results from our snap poll confirm what our members are experiencing right now during this amber heatwave—classrooms that are simply not fit for purpose in extreme heat. When temperatures inside schools are climbing into the 30s and pupils are already becoming unwell, this is a serious health and safety issue.
It is not acceptable for responsibility to be pushed onto individual school leaders without the resources or infrastructure to deal with this. Our members are clear: we need national action. That includes proper investment in cooling school buildings and clear, enforceable limits on maximum working temperatures.”
Calls Grow for National Temperature Limits
In response to conditions like these, the NEU and other education unions are now calling for a maximum upper temperature limit for schools, similar to protections that exist in other workplaces.
NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede has warned that the scale of the issue cannot be addressed with short-term fixes, stating:
“We need urgent, massive capital investment to retrofit our ageing school estates with proper ventilation, shading and climate-resilient cooling infrastructure.”
With amber heat alerts becoming more frequent, our early survey findings make one thing clear:
without clear national standards and urgent investment, schools will continue to face unsafe conditions that undermine both education and wellbeing.
The warning from our members is unmistakable—this is not a future problem. It is happening now.