Schools across the UK are closing early or shutting entirely on Friday as a third heatwave of the year brings temperatures up to 36C. The Met Office has issued amber heat health warnings for several regions, including the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the North West.
Schools Closing or Finishing Early
At least 18 schools have announced early closures or full closures for Friday, June 9. Among them, Chawson Community First School in Droitwich, Worcestershire, will close entirely due to extreme heat inside the building. Dorcan Academy in Swindon will finish at 1pm, and all detentions have been cancelled for the week.
A spokesperson for Dorcan Academy said: "Following careful monitoring of weather forecasts and guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the school has taken the decision to introduce temporary adjustments to the school day in response to forecast high temperatures later this week. As a precautionary measure, all detentions have been cancelled for the remainder of the week, and the school will close at 1.00pm on Friday, when temperatures are expected to be at their highest."
Regional Breakdown
England
- Berkshire: Jennett's Park CE Primary School (Bracknell) – finishing early.
- Herefordshire: Blackmarston School – finishing early.
- London: Stormont House School (Hackney) – finishing early.
- Shropshire: Haberdashers' Abraham Darby – Years 7–9 not attending on Friday; The Bridge School – finishing early.
- Staffordshire: Hednesford Valley High School – finishing early.
- Swindon: The Dorcan Academy – finishing early; detentions cancelled.
- Worcestershire: Unity Academy – closes at 12:00 pm; Holyoakes Field First School (Redditch) – closes at 12:30 pm; The Beacon Primary PRU (Redditch) – closes at 12:30 pm; The Bewdley School (Bewdley) – compressed timetable; finishes at 1:00 pm.
Wales
- Powys: Berriew CP School – finishing early; Buttington/Trewern C.P. School – shutting early; Llanfechain C. in W. School – closing prematurely.
- Swansea: Ynystawe Primary School – finishing early.
Impact and Precautions
The Bridge School in Telford has declared an early finish for both Thursday and Friday. Llanfechain C. in W. School near the Llanymynech border will close early on both days. A statement on the school's website explained: "During last week's hot weather, classroom temperatures became extremely uncomfortable, particularly during the afternoon. As we have no air conditioning to help reduce indoor temperatures, we believe this is the most appropriate decision to safeguard the wellbeing of our pupils and staff."
Last month, hundreds of schools were forced to shut during an extraordinary June heatwave. The current heatwave is expected to peak on Friday, with some regions in England reaching 35C or 36C. The amber heat health warnings indicate a risk to health, particularly for vulnerable groups.
