As temperatures across the UK soar to over 30 degrees centigrade and the Met Office issues a heatwave alert, many parents who are already contemplating their childcare options for the upcoming 6-week summer holidays are wondering whether a heatwave law will close schools early.
What is a heatwave law?
In the UK, there is no such thing as a heatwave law. Indeed, the UK government does not specify a maximum temperature at which schools and other workplaces must be closed. Instead, it advises that the Health and Safety at Work Law be followed. This requires employers to keep temperatures at comfortable levels and provide clean, fresh air at all times.
What does this mean for UK schools?
As well as being educational institutions for children, schools are also workplaces and this means that they must abide by the HSE laws relating to managing high temperatures safely. This includes not mandating that children take part in physical exertion in hot temperatures, relaxing uniform requirements to improve comfort and encouraging high SPF suncream to be applied before and during the school day.
Most UK schools do not have air conditioning to reduce indoor temperatures. Therefore, they should apply common sense, opening windows and doors to encourage airflow and, where possible, keeping children in the shade when playing outdoors. Some lessons could even be held outdoors in shady areas to improve comfort and enjoyment for both staff and pupils.
Parents and staff who are concerned about schools remaining open during the heatwave and who believe that HSE law is not being followed should discuss their concerns with the senior leadership team at the school and, if necessary, the governors. Only as a last resort and where all other avenues have failed, should they consider engaging the services of a London law firm such as https://www.forsters.co.uk/.
Will schools close?
It is incredibly unlikely that any UK schools will close as a result of this heatwave. Instead, with only a week left of term, reasonable adjustments should be made to ensure staff and pupil comfort.
