The UK Health Security Agency and the Centre for Climate and Health Security updated their guidance for schools and early years settings in England on 8 July 2026, according to the page's update log1. The page, first published on 19 December 2024, now states that it has been "Aligned with guidance specifying children under 5 and clarified measures supporting school attendance during periods of hot weather"1. A separate update on the same date adjusted advice on school timetabling1.
The guidance is for those who manage or work in schools or early years settings and offers advice on looking after children in these settings during hot weather1. It states that children potentially at greater risk include those aged under 5 years, with health conditions or taking certain medications1. Where a child has complex health conditions or clinical vulnerability, the guidance says advice should be sought from their clinical team and shared with relevant staff1.
On health risks, the guidance says the most common risk from heat is dehydration and sunburn, and that children suffering from heat stress may seem out of character or show signs of discomfort and irritability1. For children and young people who use nappies, it says dark urine or dry nappies may indicate dehydration and the need for more fluids1. Symptoms of heat exhaustion listed include tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin1. The guidance says to move the child to a cool area and encourage them to drink cool water, and to seek medical advice by contacting NHS 111 if concerned about symptoms or they are worsening1. It describes heatstroke as a medical emergency that can be fatal, with symptoms including confusion or lack of co-ordination, seizures, loss of consciousness and a temperature of or above 40°C (104°F); if heatstroke is suspected, it says to call 999 and then cool the child down whilst awaiting medical assistance1.
On attendance and daily routine, the guidance says children should not take part in vigorous physical activity on very hot days, and that uniform rules should be relaxed, especially during amber or red Heat-Health Alerts (HHAs)1. It advises schools to consider adjusting timetables to avoid teaching during very hot conditions, "while recognising the importance of going to school for children and young people's learning, wellbeing and safety during hot weather"1. It describes these as examples of measures that can manage the heat without the need for school closure1.
"Aligned with guidance specifying children under 5 and clarified measures supporting school attendance during periods of hot weather."
Other measures in the guidance include opening windows early in the morning if it is safe and appropriate, shading sun-facing windows, switching off electrical equipment when not in use, and using oscillating mechanical fans if temperatures are below 35°C, above which the guidance says they may be counterproductive1. Outdoors, it advises staying in the shade as much as possible, applying broad-band sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with a UVA rating of 4 or more stars, reapplying every 2 hours and after swimming or towelling, and encouraging children to drink more water than usual1. It also advises signing up to Weather-Health Alerts from UKHSA and the Met Office1.
Why it matters for households
The guidance applies to England and is addressed to staff in schools and early years settings, not to parents directly1. Its practical effect for households is in what settings are told to do during hot spells: relax uniform rules during amber or red Heat-Health Alerts, avoid vigorous physical activity on very hot days, and adjust timetables where needed while keeping children in school1. The update makes explicit that children under 5 are among those potentially at greater risk, which covers early years settings as well as school-age children1. The guidance states that if sensible precautions are taken, children are unlikely to be adversely affected by hot conditions, but that all staff should look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke1. Parents of children with complex health conditions are directed, through the settings, to their clinical team for advice1.
What happens next
No further update date is given beyond 8 July 20261. The guidance directs settings to UKHSA and Met Office Weather-Health Alerts, which underpin the Adverse Weather and Health Plan, but no alert levels or dates are set out in the page1.
Households wanting general hot weather guidance can use the heatwaves and drought hub, including pages on keeping babies and young children safe in hot weather, staying cool in pregnancy and how to keep cool during a power cut in hot weather.
