Schools and colleges across parts of England and Wales could close on Wednesday and Thursday after the Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 40°C. The teaching union NASUWT has said that under the upgraded warning, employers must carry out an immediate risk assessment, which could result in full or partial closure of sites.
Red Warning Details
The Met Office red warning covers the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East England, South West England, Wales, and the West Midlands. It warns of a two-to-three-day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37°C, possibly rising to 38-40°C in some places. The heat will be accompanied by high humidity, with very warm and humid nights making it difficult for people to recover overnight. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned of significant impacts on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
NASUWT Guidance
The NASUWT has stated that a red alert indicates a very likely risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies, and possible widespread damage to property and infrastructure. The union advises that school and college employers must ensure an immediate, additional risk assessment is carried out, and control measures enacted. These could include full or partial closure of the site if deemed necessary. The risk assessment must also consider travel to and from the site for learners and staff, and potential disruption to public transport.
Department for Education Stance
The Department for Education has generally advised against school closures, stating in a blog post: "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 should make sure they take any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable." However, the NASUWT emphasizes that under red warning conditions, immediate closure should be considered.
Met Office Comment
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: "The forecast heatwave is developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record breaking June temperatures and very high humidity. The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies." He added that consecutive nights with temperatures not dropping below 20°C, known as a Tropical Night, will exacerbate heat stress impacts.
