A number of schools in England are closing due to the extreme heat and health warnings issued over the next few days as children are more at risk of becoming ill with heat-related issues
Dozens of schools have been forced to close amid rare red warnings over extreme temperatures that are expected to hit record highs for June.
Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 40C in some parts of England and Wales in the middle part of the week, the Met Office has said.
A red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.
This warning signifies the most severe events according to the Met Office, as the weather is expected to bring “severe and significant impacts” including widespread health risks for many, not just those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat, and even danger to life.
So far, schools across South East England, South West England, London, East Midlands and the East of England have confirmed closures.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said it has written to all its members with guidance on dealing with the heat this week, including the impact on pupils and staff, legal positions and when to consider closure.
Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: “While there is no legal ‘upper limit’ for temperature in schools, (school leaders) will certainly be doing all they can to mitigate the effects of such high temperatures.”
According to the government website, children are more at risk of becoming ill with heat-related issues than adults. It is not normally advised that schools close however they could consider relaxing uniform rules during hot weather to make sure pupils are comfortable.
But, as temperatures are set to come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C which was measured in July 2022, the nation is facing exceptional circumstances hence why some schools have made the decision to close their doors.
For some children this does not mean a break from learning, as all teaching has moved online.
Other schools will run in the morning but finish at lunch time for the next few days. These include Pewsey Vale School, Dilton Marsh Primary and Malmesbury School in Wiltshire, Ditton Park Academy in Slough, Berkshire, The Bulmershe School in Reading, Berkshire, Cheam High School in Surrey and Sydenham School in London.
Aside from schools, the extreme temperatures are expected to cause travel chaos and have a huge impact on the healthcare sector.
Full list of schools that have confirmed closures:
- Sydenham School, London
- Cranbourne School, Basingstoke
- Eggar’s School, Alton
- Grateley Primary School, Grateley
- Swanmore College, Swanmore
- Creswood Community School, Eastleigh
- Harrow Way Community School, Andover
- The Bulmershe School, Reading
- Cheam High School, Surrey
- The Hurst School, Tadley
- Reading School, Reading
- King’s Academy Prospect, Reading
- St. Crispins, Wokingham
- The Willows Primary School, Newbury
- Churchend Primary School, Reading
- Ditton Park Academy, Slough
- Silverwood School, Wiltshire
- Wren Academy, Enfield
- Kingdown School, Warminster
- Clarendon Academy, Trowbridge
- Pewsey Vale School, Pewsey
- Dilton Marsh Primary, Westbury
- Kingsholm Primary, Gloucester
- St Michael’s School, Larkhill
- Isebrook School, Kettering
- Woodland Middle School Academy, Flitwick (only for year 7 and 8)
- The Dorcan Academy, Swindon
- St John’s Marlborough School, Marlborough
- Malmesbury School, Wiltshire
- Finlay Community School, Gloucester
- Archway School, Stroud
- New Close School, Warminster
- St Michael’s Academy, Somerset
- Piggot C of E School, Wargrave
- Radstock Primary School, Earley
- Maiden Erlegh School, Reading
- Willow Bank Infant School, Woodley
- South Lake Primary School, Woodley
- River Academy, Reading
- Katesgrove Primary School, Reading
- Beechwood Primary School, Woodley