England's children's commissioner warns against cold classrooms as school energy costs rise

England's children's commissioner has warned that no child should be made to learn in a cold classroom, responding to concerns that schools face rising gas and electricity bills this year, according to a BBC report.

The warning follows guidance from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (EA, as referenced in the report) suggesting cost-saving measures for schools as energy bills are expected to increase. Such measures can include adjustments to heating schedules, building insulation improvements, or other efficiency steps intended to manage budgets without cutting core educational provision.

Rising energy costs have placed pressure on school budgets across England in recent years, with many head teachers reporting that higher utility bills compete with other spending priorities such as staffing, resources, and building maintenance. Cost-saving measures that reduce heating in classrooms have previously drawn criticism from education and child welfare advocates.

The children's commissioner's intervention underscores concern that energy-saving measures could have unintended consequences for pupils' comfort and ability to concentrate during lessons, particularly during colder months. The commissioner's office is tasked with promoting and protecting the rights of children in England, including in educational settings.

The report does not specify which schools or regions are most affected, nor does it detail the exact scale of the anticipated bill increases. It is also unclear what specific response, if any, the government or the Department for Education has made to the commissioner's comments.

Schools across England have faced a range of financial pressures in recent years, and the question of how to balance energy costs against providing an adequate learning environment is likely to remain a point of discussion among educators, parents, and policymakers.