When the Lights Go Out: What Spain’s Blackout Teaches Us About Education and Resilience

Earlier this week, vast areas of Spain were plunged into darkness due to a major blackout. Homes, businesses, transport systems, and schools were all affected. In a moment, everyday life ground to a halt. It’s the kind of story that grabs headlines for a day or two before slipping into the background. But for those of us working in education, it raises a more important question: what happens to learning when the lights go out?

The Spanish blackout is not just a power failure. It’s a powerful reminder of how reliant modern education systems have become on electricity, technology, and uninterrupted connectivity. And it’s an opportunity for us, especially in the independent education sector, to pause and ask: are we preparing children not just to succeed when everything works, but to thrive when things don’t?

1. Digital Classrooms, Fragile Foundations

In many UK independent schools, classrooms are digital playgrounds. Interactive whiteboards, Chromebooks, online platforms, virtual learning environments—they’re impressive tools, and rightly so. But they are also deeply dependent on one thing: a steady flow of electricity and internet.

If a blackout like Spain’s were to hit here, especially during critical learning or exam periods, it could bring entire school days to a standstill. Lessons would pause, coursework might be lost, and communication between teachers and families disrupted. Schools with generators might cope; others might not.

This isn’t just about tech. It’s about dependency. When learning becomes too digitised without enough analogue alternatives, students lose the flexibility to adapt when digital tools fail.

2. What Happens to Exams, Access, and Equity?

Imagine the power goes out during mock exams, GCSE coursework uploads, or entrance assessments. For many schools, especially those delivering public or external qualifications, the consequences would be serious. Rescheduling, lost data, missed opportunities—all become very real risks.

And then there's equity. Some schools can afford backup systems, while others can’t. Some families have power banks and 5G hotspots; others rely on a single shared device. In times of crisis, existing gaps grow wider. And that’s something we must face head-on.

3. Preparing for Disruption: Teaching Resilience

This is where education has an opportunity—not just to survive disruption, but to use it as a teaching moment. We should be asking:

• Do students know how to switch from screen to paper when needed?

• Can they solve problems creatively when usual tools aren’t available?

• Are we teaching adaptability alongside academic content?

Resilience isn’t built in comfort zones. It’s shaped in challenges. And it’s our responsibility to model and teach that, especially in high-performing environments where perfection is often the focus.

4. Lessons for the UK Independent Sector

Independent schools in the UK often lead the way in facilities, technology, and innovation. But how many have tested those systems under stress? When was the last time your child’s school held a contingency drill beyond the standard fire alarm?

We don’t need fear-based planning. We need realistic, forward-thinking strategies. That might mean:

• Building emergency learning kits for students.

• Having print-based alternatives ready to go.

• Training teachers to switch formats mid-lesson if needed.

• Opening up classroom discussions about energy use, digital dependency, and sustainable learning habits.

  
  

5. For Parents: Ask the Right Questions

Parents have a voice here, too. Whether your child is in a day school, boarding environment, or international setting, ask:

• What happens if there’s no internet for a day?

• Are teachers prepared to deliver lessons offline?

• Are students being taught to problem-solve when tools fail?

It’s not about predicting a blackout. It’s about preparing for anything and turning challenges into learning opportunities.

Let’s Raise Children Who Can Learn in Any Light

Education shouldn’t flicker out when the power does. The Spain blackout reminds us that resilience, flexibility, and real-world readiness are just as important as high grades and high-speed Wi-Fi.

As an education consultant, I help families and schools think through these questions. If your school is rethinking its emergency plans, or you’re a parent wondering how to support your child’s learning beyond the screen, I’d love to chat. Get in touch via email—let’s make sure your child is ready to thrive, whatever the weather.