How a new era of heatwaves could shake up the school calendar
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
11 minutes ago
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- Simon King, BBC Lead Weather Presenter
Over the past two weeks, the sound of children has returned to Scotland’s school playgrounds, marking the start of the academic year in line with other European countries. However, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have a later start, with pupils returning in early September. This delay placed many students in classrooms during the peak of early summer heatwaves, as temperatures soared above 30°C.
Over 1,000 UK schools either closed or sent pupils home early due to the heat. The conditions were particularly challenging for GCSE and A-level exams, with Baroness Brown, chair of the UK’s Climate Change Adaptation committee, highlighting the negative impact on student concentration and performance.
In February 2026, Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s chief inspector, suggested reconsidering the timing of school holidays to avoid aligning with peak summer heat. Some parents agree, raising concerns about the lack of preparation for extreme heat in classrooms, as exemplified by Andrea Bigger’s experience with her daughter’s heat exhaustion.
BBC analysis reveals a significant shift in temperature trends:
- In the 1960s, the first 30°C day occurred on average on 13 July.
- By the 2020s, this has advanced to 19 June.
With this summer predicted to be the hottest on record and heatwaves becoming increasingly frequent, questions arise about the future of school calendars. Will schools need to adapt by moving summer holidays earlier or extending the academic year?
