A Somerset MP has demanded the government provide funding to "retrofit" schools to protect pupils and staff from future heatwaves.
An amber weather warning is in effect across Somerset this week, with temperatures expected to hit 36C on Wednesday (June 24) and widespread disruption being expected.
Numerous Somerset schools have already announced that they will be closing for part of this week to protect children and young people from the extreme heat.
Now Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to provide funding to ensure schools across Somerset are better equipped for future heatwaves, thereby minimising disruption to pupils and staff.
Ms Dyke made her plea to education secretary Bridget Phillipson MP in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon (June 22).
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She said: "This week, temperatures in Somerset are forecast to exceed 35 C, and some classrooms are set to breach safe working thresholds by as much as 10 C, risking serious disruption to learning.
"What immediate steps is the secretary of state taking to protect pupils and staff from this extreme heat - and what dedicated funding will be made available to schools to retrofit for heat resilience, to prevent repeated disruption to education in future heatwaves?"
Mrs Phillipson - who represents the Houghton and Sunderland South constituency in the north-east of England - did not commit to any immediate funding being provided, but urged headteachers to use their discretion to keep pupils and staff safe during the hot weather.
She responded: "We recognise the need to make sure that, as we refurbish and rebuild schools across our country, they are well placed to cope with some of the fluctuations in temperature we are seeing - including the hot weather we are experiencing at the moment.
"Of course, how to manage that best is a matter for headteachers and school leaders.
"For example, schools can consider relaxing uniform rules during hot weather to make sure that pupils are comfortable, and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recommends that pupils should not take part in vigorous physical activity when the weather is exceptionally hot.
"I trust school leaders to do the right thing to maintain the well-being of both staff and students."
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