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ArchiveLesson #173World

UK Schools Closed During June Heatwave

A heatwave in June caused UK pupils to miss over 15 million hours of school. Many schools closed due to extreme temperatures, affecting children's education.

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Standard version (B1-B2)

Standard: natural English

In June, the UK experienced a severe that caused many schools to close. Over 760,000 schoolchildren in England and Wales missed lessons due to these closures. Some classrooms reached temperatures over 40C (104F), leading to heat stress among students and staff. Teachers reported that learning was nearly impossible during this time. One teacher described how students lay on the floor, feeling tired and complaining of headaches. Many parents chose to keep their children at home for safety. Experts warn that this can negatively children's and wellbeing, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. They emphasize the need for schools to to extreme temperatures in the future.

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Narration includes the headline and summary.

Adapted from The Guardian, 11 September 2026, and rewritten at three levels by Newslish. Newslish is not affiliated with the source. Read the original.

Grammar in this story

Experts warn that this disruption can negatively impact children's education and wellbeing, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Reporting verb + that-clause. Read the guide

Key vocabulary

  • heatwave noun

    a prolonged period of excessively hot weather.

    The summer heatwave made it difficult to stay cool.

  • impact noun

    the strong effect or influence something has.

    The impact of the storm was felt across the entire city.

  • disruption noun

    a disturbance that interrupts an event or process.

    The disruption caused by the traffic jam made everyone late.

  • adapt verb

    to change something to fit new conditions.

    Animals must adapt to survive in their environments.

  • education noun

    the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction.

    Education is important for personal and professional growth.

Quick quiz

01What is the main idea of the article?

02What does 'disruption' mean in the text?

03How many schoolchildren missed lessons during the heatwave?

04What temperature did some classrooms reach?

Answered 0 of 4

Discussion

What do you think about the fact that over 15 million hours of school time were missed during the heatwave? In your answer, use the words 'impact' and 'adapt'.