First day of school in Wolfsburg: Why no heat-free at 30 degrees?

First day of school in Wolfsburg: Why no heat-free at 30 degrees?

Wolfsburg is drawing attention to itself with the first day of school after the summer holidays. On August 14, 2025, when temperatures reach almost 30 degrees Celsius at 11 a.m., the city is bustling with activity. But while many students in neighboring cities such as Gifhorn and Hanover are sent home early, lessons in Wolfsburg remain completely normal. The WAZ reports that the city of Wolfsburg is not ordering a heat-free period despite the high temperatures.

The German Weather Service warns of extreme heat, especially for primary schools, and predicts severe heat pollution across Lower Saxony for Thursday and Friday, which could even be up to 35 degrees in Hanover. An official announcement points out that old people and people in need of care are particularly badly affected. An official heat warning has been in effect in Wolfsburg since Wednesday, but you won't find a report about possible school cancellations on the city's website.

What does this mean for the students?

There is no set temperature limit for heat-free, which is why the decision to end lessons early is made individually. The school management has the option of ordering distance learning or bringing the end of the lesson forward. This regulation has also applied to upper secondary schools and certain vocational schools since June 2025. According to the WAZ Some schools, like the Carl Hahn School, show solidarity with the students and only start the new school year on Friday, when lessons are shortened.

The decision to cancel classes is made by the school authority, which in this case is the city of Wolfsburg. Therefore, students and parents can only wait and see what happens next during the day. The temperatures and the weather overall promise to remain a hot topic in the coming period.