Wiltshire schools prepare for future heatwave disruptions in 2027
Wiltshire Council collaborates with schools after recent weather-related closures
Wiltshire Council is working with the county’s schools to prepare for future heatwaves after extreme weather led to closures and disrupted education in June.
A new climate update due before Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet next Thursday (October 8) reveals the authority has begun discussions with headteachers following recent heatwaves, as concerns grow about the impact rising temperatures could have on pupils and school buildings.
Officers say a new working group involving education, climate and public health teams will look at what support schools need and what measures could help reduce disruption during periods of extreme heat.
The group will examine everything from risk assessments and short-term interventions to longer-term energy efficiency upgrades and redesign work aimed at making school buildings more heat-resistant.
The report highlights how climate adaptation is becoming an increasingly important challenge for the council as the effects of climate change are felt more frequently across Wiltshire.
It states that recent experience has exposed new risks that were not identified through previous climate assessments, with heatwaves emerging as a growing concern.
Officers admit some of the support required by schools was not anticipated in earlier planning and say this demonstrates the need to update climate risk assessments and strengthen mitigation measures.
Several Wiltshire schools were forced to close during the June 2026 heatwave.
St John’s Marlborough closed early on 23 June and then shut completely on 24 and 25 June because of the extreme heat. The school said the move was necessary to protect pupils’ welfare during the heatwave.
Pewsey Vale School announced early closures, saying pupil health and wellbeing had to come first amid the exceptionally high temperatures forecast.
Sheldon School, Chippenham, closed shortly after midday before shutting entirely for two days during the peak of the heatwave.
Malmesbury School also announced early closure followed by a two-day shutdown as temperatures climbed.
The White Horse Federation, which runs a number of Wiltshire schools including Devizes School, Melksham Oak Community School, Bowerhill Primary, Seend CofE Primary and others, announced closures across its schools during the red warning period.
In Salisbury, both Bishop Wordsworth’s School and South Wilts Grammar School closed for two days. The school said its buildings were not designed to cope with such extreme temperatures and also cited concerns about pupils travelling in the heat.
Wiltshire College and University Centre also closed its campuses during the heatwave.