Dozens of schools shut as red heat warning issued
Thousands of pupils will not need to attend school after the Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat, with temperatures forecast to hit 40C in parts of England and Wales. The alert, in place from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday, covers areas from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham. It represents the most serious category, with warnings of “severe and significant impacts” including widespread health dangers and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Schools across multiple regions affected
Schools in South East England, South West England, London, the East Midlands and the East of England have announced closures. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has advised members on managing the heatwave, including legal obligations and circumstances for considering closure. NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “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.”
According to the government website, children face greater risks of developing heat-related illnesses compared to adults. Schools are not typically recommended to shut, but may relax uniform policies. However, with temperatures approaching the UK record of 40.3C set in July 2022, some schools have decided to close. For certain pupils, lessons have shifted online. Other schools will operate in the morning but close at lunchtime, 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.
Full list of confirmed school closures
- Sydenham School, London
- Cranbourne School, Basingstoke
- Eggar’s School, Alton
- Grateley Primary School, Grateley
- Swanmore College, Swanmore
- Creswood Community School, Eastleigh
- Harrow Way Community School, Andover
- The Bulmershe School, Reading
- Cheam High School, Surrey
- The Hurst School, Tadley
- Reading School, Reading
- King’s Academy Prospect, Reading
- St. Crispins, Wokingham
- The Willows Primary School, Newbury
- Churchend Primary School, Reading
- Ditton Park Academy, Slough
- Silverwood School, Wiltshire
- Wren Academy, Enfield
- Kingdown School, Warminster
- Clarendon Academy, Trowbridge
- Pewsey Vale School, Pewsey
- Dilton Marsh Primary, Westbury
- Kingsholm Primary, Gloucester
- St Michael’s School, Larkhill
- Isebrook School, Kettering
- Woodland Middle School Academy, Flitwick (year 7 and 8 only)
- The Dorcan Academy, Swindon
- St John’s Marlborough School, Marlborough
- Malmesbury School, Wiltshire
- Finlay Community School, Gloucester
- Archway School, Stroud
- New Close School, Warminster
- St Michael's Academy, Somerset
- Piggot C of E School, Wargrave
- Radstock Primary School, Earley
- Maiden Erlegh School, Reading
- Willow Bank Infant School, Woodley
- South Lake Primary School, Woodley
- River Academy, Reading
- Katesgrove Primary School, Reading
- Beechwood Primary School, Woodley
Wider impacts expected
Beyond schools, the scorching temperatures are anticipated to trigger transport disruption and severely affect the healthcare system.
