The Department for Education (DfE) and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have issued new guidance to head teachers across the UK as dozens of schools announce closures due to the extreme heatwave. A rare red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued by the Met Office for parts of England and Wales, with temperatures potentially reaching 40°C in some areas.
Red Weather Warning and School Closures
The Met Office warning covers London, parts of the Midlands, south-east Wales, and southern England, and will be in effect from 9am on Wednesday through to 9pm on Thursday. Forecasters highlight that the extreme heat will be exacerbated by high humidity, leading to “significant disruption” to daily life, including travel disruption. In response, numerous schools have already announced plans to close early or shut completely for the duration of the alert.
The NAHT has written to all its members with comprehensive guidance on managing the heat, covering the impact on pupils and staff, legal positions, and when to consider closure. Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, stated: “While there is no legal ‘upper limit’ for temperature in schools, (school leaders) will certainly be doing all they can to mitigate the effects of such high temperatures.”
Government and Union Advice
The government has also published advice for head teachers on actions to keep children safe. Unions emphasize that schools must conduct a risk assessment when a red heat alert is issued, which could lead to full or partial closure. The DfE stated: “Red Alerts indicate possible significant health risks to the wider population, so schools and early years settings should review actions to manage heat for all pupils and staff.”
Regarding closures, the DfE noted: “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, and the heat-health alerts can guide this.”
The teaching union NASUWT has previously explained that if warnings are upgraded, “school and college employers must ensure that an immediate, additional risk assessment is carried out.” The NASUWT outlined that a Met Office Red Alert indicates “very likely risk to life, substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies, and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.” Control measures could include full or partial closure of the site if deemed necessary, and the risk assessment must also consider travel to and from the site for learners and staff.
Health Symptoms and Precautions
The DfE has also reminded head teachers to watch for symptoms of heat-related medical conditions in children. While sensible precautions can prevent serious effects, teachers and staff should look out for signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Symptoms of heat stress include discomfort, irritability, and changes in character, which worsen with physical activity. For children using nappies, dark urine or dry nappies may indicate dehydration.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include tiredness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and pale, clammy skin. To cool a child suffering from heat exhaustion, move them to a cool area, encourage cool water intake, cool the child rapidly with cool water or cold packs around the neck and armpits, or wrap in a cool, wet sheet with a fan. If symptoms worsen, seek medical advice via NHS 111.
School Closure Decisions
Scores of schools across England and Wales have announced closures or early finishes to protect pupils. The Buckingham School in Buckinghamshire will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, with online learning provided. In a statement, the school said: “Because most of our buildings cannot be cooled adequately and there is little shade outside, we have taken the difficult decision to close the school site on both days.” St John’s Marlborough in Wiltshire will close early on Tuesday and remain shut on Wednesday and Thursday, reopening Friday. The Dorcan Academy in Swindon will finish on-site learning at 11:30am on Tuesday and stay closed Wednesday and Thursday. Other schools in Sutton, south London, and Haringey, north London, have also closed from Tuesday to Thursday.
Some schools will remain open but with early closures at lunchtime on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, including Pewsey Vale School, Dilton Marsh Primary, and Malmesbury School in Wiltshire; Ditton Park Academy in Slough; The Bulmershe School in Reading; Cheam High School in Surrey; and Sydenham School in London.
