UK Heatwave: Hundreds of Schools Close as Temperatures Could Reach 40C

Hundreds of schools across the UK have closed as a red weather warning for extreme heat is set to take effect on Wednesday, with temperatures potentially soaring to 40C. The Met Office has issued the warning, urging people to take precautions as multiple records could be broken, including the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK—40.3C in July 2022 at Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

School Closures and Adjustments

Many schools have opted to close entirely, move teaching online, or operate reduced hours, such as morning-only sessions. Working parents are entitled to up to four weeks of unpaid parental leave annually, which can be used during sudden school closures. Below is a list of closures by region.

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Oxfordshire

All Saints Church of England Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell Church of England Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Carterton Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Cheney School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Didcot Girls' School - closed from 12.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Ducklington Primary School - closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Europa School UK - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Gillotts School - closed from 12.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Hagbourne Church of England Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Hailey Church of England Primary School - closed on Tuesday
Harwell Primary School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
John Watson School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Ladygrove Park Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Long Wittenham Church of England Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Northern House Academy - closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
Orion Academy - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Shellingford Church of England Voluntary Aided School - closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
St Francis Church of England Primary School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Stephen Freeman Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Stockham Primary School - closed from 11.30am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Sutton Courtenay Church of England Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
The Oxford Academy - closed from 12.35pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Trinity Church of England Primary School - closed from 12pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Valley Road School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Willowcroft Community School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Berkshire

Aldermaston Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Basildon Church of England Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Beedon Church of England Controlled Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Beenham Primary School - restricted opening hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Birch Copse Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Brimpton Church of England Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Bucklebury Church of England Primary School - closed from 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Burghfield St Marys Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Chaddleworth St Andrews Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 12pm on Tuesday
Chieveley Primary School - optional pick up from 1.10pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Cold Ash St Marks Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Compton Church of England Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Curridge Primary School - optional pick up from 12pm or 3.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Denefield School - closed from 12.50pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Englefield Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday
Falkland Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery - closed from 12.05pm on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Hermitage Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday and closed from 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday
John O'Gaunt School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
John Rankin Infant and Nursery School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
John Rankin Junior School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Kennet School - closed from 1.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Kennet Valley Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Kintbury St Mary's Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Lambourn Church of England Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Long Lane Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Mortimer St Johns Church of England Infant School - optional pick up from 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Mortimer St Marys Church of England Junior School - optional pick up from 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Pangbourne Primary School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday
Park House School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Parsons Down Partnership of Schools: Infant and Junior - optional pick up from 1.25pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Purley Church of England Primary School - optional pick up between 1.10pm and 1.20pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Shaw-cum-Donnington Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1.10pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Shefford Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 12pm on Tuesday
Speenhamland Primary School - closed from 12.05pm on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Springfield Primary School - optional pick up after afternoon registration on Tuesday
Spurcroft Primary School - closed from 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday
St Bartholomew's School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
St Finian's Catholic Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
St John The Evangelist Infant and Nursery School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday
St Nicolas Church of England Junior School - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday
St Paul's Catholic Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Stockcross Church of England School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Streatley Church of England Voluntary Controlled School - optional pick up from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Sulhamstead and Ufton Nervet Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday
Thatcham Park CE Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
The Castle School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
The Downs School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
The Willows Primary School - optional pick up from 12.30pm on Tuesday and closed from 12pm on Wednesday and Thursday
The Winchcombe School - shorter day on Tuesday and early closure on Wednesday
Theale Green School - closed from 12.50pm on Wednesday and closed on Thursday
Trinity School - closed from 12.05pm on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Welford and Wickham Church of England Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Westwood Farm Infant School - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Westwood Farm Junior School - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Woolhampton Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Yattendon Church of England Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Buckinghamshire

Gerrards Cross School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Hughenden Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Princes Risborough Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Ley Hill School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Farnham Common Infant School - optional pick up from 12pm on Tuesday
Chalfonts Community College - closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Denham Village School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Haydon Abbey School and Pre-School - closed from 1.30pm on Tuesday
Dropmore Infant School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Kingsbrook View Academy - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday and all day on Wednesday and Thursday
Iver Heath Junior School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday
Bedgrove Infant School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday and closed Wednesday and Thursday
The Misbourne School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday and closed Wednesday and Thursday
Iver Heath Infant School and Nursery - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday
St Paul's Church of England Combined School, Wooburn - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Stoke Poges School - optional pick up at 12.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Farnham Common Junior School - optional pick up at 12pm on Tuesday
Overstone Combined School - closed from 12.15pm on Tuesday and all day on Wednesday and Thursday
Marsworth Church of England Infant School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Brookmead School - optional pick up from 12.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
The Bourton Meadow Academy - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Bearbrook Combined School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday and all day on Wednesday and Thursday
Buckingham Park Church of England Primary School - closed from 1.30pm on Tuesday
Buckingham Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Ash Hill Primary School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday and likely closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Steeple Claydon School - optional pick up at 1.05pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Buckinghamshire Primary - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Green Ridge Primary Academy - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday
St Mary's Farnham Royal Primary School - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday
Iver Village Junior School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
West Wycombe Combined School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday
The Disraeli School and Children's Centre - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Weston Turville Church of England School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Aylesbury Vale Academy - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Great Kimble Church of England School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Great Kingshill Church of England Combined School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Turnfurlong Infant School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Bierton Church of England Combined School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Denham Green E-ACT Primary Academy - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Oakridge School - optional pick up from 1.20pm on Tuesday
Quainton Church of England School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday
Wooburn Green Primary School - closed from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Waddesdon Village Primary School - closed from 12.15pm on Tuesday
Chalfont Valley E-ACT Primary Academy - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Kite Ridge School - closed on Tuesday
Chepping View Primary Academy - closed from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Ivingswood Academy - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Orchard View Primary Academy - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday and all day on Wednesday and Thursday
Bedgrove Junior School - partial closures on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Waddesdon Church of England School - closed from 12.45pm on Tuesday and all day on Wednesday and Thursday
Waterside Primary Academy - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday

Hampshire

Crestwood Community School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Four Lanes School - partially closed on Tuesday
Swanmore College - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Testbourne Community School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
John Hanson Community School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Peter Symonds College - closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
Rucstall Primary School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Henry Tyndale School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Purbrook Park School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Woodcroft Primary - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
The Clere School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Hatch Warren Infant School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Harrow Way Community School - optional pick up from 1pm on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Stoke Park Infant School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Smannell Field School - closed from 12.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Grateley Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Petersgate Infant School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Brighton Hill Community School - closed from 11.30am on Wednesday and Thursday
Ranvilles Infant School - closed from 12.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Perins School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Itchen Abbas Primary School - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Wyvern College - closed on Tuesday
Brookfield Community School - closed from 12.05pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Locks Heath Infant School - closed from 12.15pm on Wednesday and Thursday
The Costello School - closed from 12pm on Wednesday and Thursday
St Faith's Church of England Primary School - partially closed on Tuesday
Horndean Technology College - closed from 11.55am on Wednesday and Thursday

Bristol

Ashton Gate Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Badminton School - closed from 12.30pm on Tuesday
Badock's Wood E-ACT Academy - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Bishop Road Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Bristol Cathedral Choir School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Cathedral Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Chester Park Infant and Junior School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Cotham School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
E-ACT Fairlawn Primary School - optional pick up from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Easton Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Elmfield School For Deaf Children - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Fairfield High School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Filton Avenue Nursery School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Holymead Primary School - closed from 12pm on Wednesday and Thursday
North Star 265 - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Nova Primary School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Orchard School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Redcliffe Nursery School & Children's Centre - partially closed on Tuesday
Redland Green School - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Soundwell Academy - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Southville Primary School - closed from 1.30pm on Tuesday
St Bernadette Catholic Primary School - closed from 12.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Westbury-On-Trym Church of England Academy - closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Willow Park Primary School - closed from 12.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday

London

Sydenham School - closed from 12.15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Cheam High School - compressed days from 8.30am to 1.10pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Fielding Primary School - closed from 12pm on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday and Thursday
Oaks Park High School - closed from 12.20pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Belmont Junior School - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
All Saints Benhilton Primary School - optional pick up from 1.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Archbishop Tenison's Church of England High School - closed from 12.45pm on Wednesday and Thursday
Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form - closed from 12.20pm on Tuesday and closed all day on Wednesday and Thursday
Simon Marks Jewish Primary School - closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Wentworth Nursery School - closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
Cardinal Pole Catholic School - closed from 1.20pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the majority of students
Clapton Girls' Academy - closed from 2pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Gayhurst Community School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
Grasmere Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
Grazebrook Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Kingsmead Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
Mandeville Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
Millfields Community School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday
Queensbridge Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
St John and St James CE Primary School - closed from 1.30pm on Tuesday onwards
St John the Baptist CE Primary School - closing early on Tuesday
The Garden School - closed from 1.15pm on Tuesday
Woodberry Down Community Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday
Shacklewell Primary School - closed from 1pm on Tuesday

Travel Disruption and Advice

Transport will be severely disrupted on Wednesday and Thursday, with National Rail advising people to “only travel if absolutely necessary” on these days. The red warning covers parts of central and eastern England, while an amber warning for extreme heat is already in place for other areas. The Met Office has warned that multiple records could be broken, including the UK’s highest recorded temperature of 40.3°C set in July 2022.

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