Heatwave costs pupils £456m in future earnings

The recent UK heatwave could reduce pupils' future earnings by an estimated £456m, after soaring temperatures forced more than 500 secondary schools to close or partially close on 25th June 2026.

The estimate comes from Fund the Future, an initiative pioneered by Yopa, which analysed school closures reported during the recent heatwave before applying previous government research estimating that every day of missed schooling costs the average secondary school pupil £750 in future earnings.

An estimated 1,345 schools in total were either closed or partially closed due to the extreme temperatures experienced on 25th June, of these, an estimated 574 were secondary schools.

Using the Gov.uk average state-funded secondary school population of 1,058 pupils, Fund the Future estimates that around 607,449 pupils missed out on learning that day alone.

Based on previous government estimates of the long-term impact of lost schooling, it's estimated that each additional day of absence and lost education can cost a typical secondary school student £750 in future lost wages. Based on the secondary school closures seen due to the recent heatwave, Fund the Future estimates that this equates to a potential £456m reduction in future earnings over the single day of schooling missed.

Despite the disruption caused by the heatwave, there is currently no legal maximum classroom temperature, with the decision to close schools generally resting with individual headteachers.

Experts warn that increasingly frequent heatwaves could result in pupils losing up to 12 days of learning each year without adaptation measures such as improved ventilation and cooling.

As a result, Fund the Future is now launching its Cool Classroom Campaign to help schools raise money to create cooler, safer classrooms.

The campaign forms part of the wider Fund the Future initiative, which enables schools, charities, sports clubs and community organisations to raise money by encouraging supporters to display a Yopa sponsorship board outside their home. For every board displayed, Yopa donates £12 directly to the participating organisation.

The initiative has already helped 36 organisations raise £17,465, with 1,385 sponsorship boards displayed across the UK.

Schools taking part in the Cool Classroom Campaign can use the money raised to invest in practical cooling measures such as fans, improved ventilation, air conditioning and other initiatives that help keep pupils safe and classrooms operational during periods of extreme heat.

Verona Frankish, Chief Executive Officer at Yopa, commented:

"One day out of the classroom might not sound particularly significant, but previous government research estimates that every missed day of schooling can have a lasting impact on a child's future earning potential.

The reality is that heatwaves are becoming more common and, whilst there is currently no legal maximum classroom temperature, schools are increasingly being forced to make difficult decisions to protect the safety of pupils and staff.

Whilst installing air conditioning or upgrading ventilation across every school isn't something that can happen overnight, there are practical steps schools can take to create cooler and safer learning environments.

Through our Cool Classroom Campaign, we're hoping to help schools raise funds that can be invested into measures such as fans, improved ventilation and other cooling solutions that help minimise disruption and keep children learning safely."