The Met Office has issued red and amber warnings for extreme heat across the UK, with temperatures expected to climb to at least 39°C on Wednesday and Thursday. Despite the scorching conditions, there is no maximum temperature that legally forces schools to close, the Department for Education has confirmed.
No Mandatory Closure Threshold
Advice on the government website states: "During hot weather, we don't normally advise schools to close. This is because school attendance is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential, and hot weather can usually be managed safely." School leaders are urged to take necessary steps to ensure children's safety and comfort, guided by heat-health alerts.
Some schools have independently decided to close as temperatures approach the high 30s Celsius. However, the Department for Education emphasizes that closures are not mandatory and that schools should adapt to the conditions.
Practical Guidance for Schools
The Department for Education suggests relaxing uniform rules during hot weather, allowing children to wear loose, light-coloured clothing, sunhats, and sunscreen. Teachers should encourage pupils to remove blazers and jumpers and to stay in the shade when outdoors. Vigorous physical activity should be avoided on very hot days, with sedentary activities recommended instead.
Heatwave Impact and Warnings
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said: "Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we're expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat." The last time the UK recorded such high temperatures was in July 2022, but this heatwave is accompanied by high humidity and tropical nights where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, exacerbating heat stress.
Almost 100 areas will be affected by the scorching temperatures, which are likely to cause population-wide adverse health effects. The peak of the heatwave is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach at least 39°C and a chance of exceeding that in some places.
