Scores of schools across London have announced closures or early finishes this week as the capital faces a rare red weather warning for extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach 37C until Friday.
Sydenham School Closes Early
Sydenham School, a secondary school for girls in Lewisham with 1,500 pupils, is closing at 12:15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Headteacher Emma Wijnberg wrote to parents: "I am writing to inform you of some important changes to our school schedule due to the extreme heat forecast this week." Years 7, 8, and 9 will be dismissed at 12:15pm, while Year 10 and Year 12 students will leave after their Period 3 exams. The school will provide supervision for students unable to leave. The Battle of the Bands event scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled and rescheduled to July 1.
Cheam High School Compresses Days
Cheam High School in Sutton, with around 2,000 pupils, is running compressed school days from 8:30am to 1:10pm until Friday. A statement on the school website said: "With it expected to reach up to 37 degrees outside, many classroom spaces will become hotter than this, especially in the afternoon, which are not conditions conducive to learning." Students will still have five lessons each day, but each lesson will be shorter. Period 6 is cancelled, and Year 12 exams continue as normal. The school advised parents to ensure children have full water bottles and high-factor suncream. CheamFest on Friday evening is still planned to go ahead.
Fielding Primary School Shuts for Three Days
Fielding Primary School and Nursery in Ealing will close at midday on Tuesday and remain closed all day Wednesday and Thursday, reopening on Friday. A message on the school website said: "We are closing as a result of the red weather warning for extreme heat." Remote learning via Microsoft Teams will start on Wednesday, with a focus on keeping children connected rather than replicating a normal school day. EMS lessons, clubs, and childcare will be refunded.
Oaks Park High School Afternoon Closures
Oaks Park High School in Sutton will close in the afternoons from 12:20pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The school stated: "The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff must remain our priority." Pupils will be provided with work to complete at home on each of the three days.
Other Schools Offering Early Pick-Up
Several schools have given parents the option to collect children early. Belmont Junior School in Haringey allows pick-up at 1:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday where feasible, with provision for families unable to do so. All Saints Benhilton Primary School in Sutton lets parents choose to collect children at 1:15pm this week. Heber School in East Dulwich, Southwark, has cancelled activities and trips and permits pick-up from 1:30pm from Tuesday to Thursday, with provision for remaining pupils. Some schools have also told children they can wear PE kit instead of full school uniform, and after-school clubs and trips have been cancelled.
This list is being updated as more schools announce changes.
