AQW 49811/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 29/06/2026
Answered On Date: 09/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any guidance issued to schools on managing extreme heat, particularly (i) classroom temperatures; (ii) outdoor activities; and (iii) school uniform arrangements.

Answer:

My Department’s Building Handbook provides guidelines on temperature control in classrooms, emphasising the importance of maintaining comfortable and consistent temperatures for learning and is used when designing and building schools as well as being used as a reference for existing schools.

In terms of outdoor activities, schools are responsible for managing any health and safety risks and are best placed to take proportionate, contextappropriate measures, including promoting the use of sun protection and adapting outdoor activities in response to weather conditions.

Schools governing bodies are responsible for setting their school uniform policies.

Guideline 3 of the School Uniforms Guidelines, as issued in February 2026, states that school uniform policies must ensure that uniforms are comfortable, practical, easy to maintain and suitable for all seasons. This guideline further provides that the appropriateness of uniform items in relation to seasonal considerations needs to be reflected in the school uniform policy.

My Department will continue to support schools by signposting evidencebased guidance and resources.