The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat across England and Wales, with temperatures expected to climb even higher on Thursday, prompting more than 1,200 schools to fully or partially close. The warning, which covers an area from London and the south coast to Swansea, Somerset, and Birmingham, remains in effect until late Thursday, with forecasters cautioning that the mercury could surpass already record-breaking levels.
Widespread School Closures Across Regions
At least 1,200 schools and nurseries in England and Wales will be closed or partially closed on Thursday, with many remaining shut on Friday. The closures span multiple counties, including Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, Devon, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater London, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Kent, Manchester, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Southampton, Sussex, Swindon, Weston-super-Mare, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and all Welsh local authorities such as Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, and Torfaen.
Many schools have asked parents to collect children at lunchtime instead of the usual afternoon pick-up times, causing difficulties for working families. Some schools have allowed students to wear PE kit instead of standard uniforms, which typically include long trousers and blazers, to help them cope with the heat.
Met Office Warning and Impact
The Met Office stated that the exceptional heat will push northwards on Thursday, "with an even hotter day ahead for some with amber and red extreme heat warnings in force." The forecaster warned that "significant disruption to daily life is likely." The red warning is the highest level and indicates a danger to life, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C in some areas.
School buildings are often ill-equipped to handle such intense heat, lacking air conditioning and adequate ventilation, which has led to the widespread closures. Working parents are entitled to up to four weeks of unpaid parental leave each year, which can be taken in the event of unexpected school closures.
Full List of Affected Schools
The list of affected schools includes institutions across England and Wales. Notable closures include Woodland Middle School Academy in Flitwick, Bedfordshire; Denefield School in Berkshire; Coleshill School in Birmingham; Ashley Down Primary School in Bristol; Aylesbury Vale Academy in Buckinghamshire; The Centre School in Cambridgeshire; Camelford Primary School in Cornwall; Clyst Vale Community College in Devon; Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex; Abbeymead Primary School in Gloucestershire; All Saints Benhilton Primary School in Sutton, Greater London; Brighton Hill Community School in Basingstoke, Hampshire; Aconbury Centre in Herefordshire; Chiddingstone School in Kent; Altrincham College in Manchester; Isebrook School in Northamptonshire; All Saints Church of England Primary School in Oxfordshire; 3 Dimensions School in Somerset; St Johns Primary and Nursery School in Southampton; Heathfield College in East Sussex; Churchward School in Swindon; Banwell Primary School in Weston-super-Mare; Bowerhill Primary School in Wiltshire; Abbey Park Primary School in Worcestershire; and Clayton Village Primary School in Yorkshire.
In Wales, closures include Abertillery Learning Community in Blaenau Gwent; Abercerdin Primary School in Bridgend; Aberbargoed Primary School in Caerphilly; Birchgrove Primary in Cardiff; Bryngwyn School in Carmarthenshire; Abercanaid Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil; Archbishop Rowan Williams in Neath Port Talbot; Bassaleg School in Newport; Ysgol Golwg y Cwm in Powys; Abercynon Community Primary School in Rhondda Cynon Taf; Birchgrove Primary in Swansea; and Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School in Torfaen.
