Schools to close early as others relax uniform rules during extreme heat
Some schools in England announced that they would close early due to the record-breaking heat wave.
Others have asked parents to pick up their children as soon as possible before the end of the regular day to protect students from extreme heat this week.
The Department for Education said it would not normally recommend that schools close in hot weather because attendance was “the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential”, but said school leaders should ensure they took “any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable” as it laid out guidance on how to keep pupils safe.
Oaks Park High School in Sutton, south London, will close at 12.20pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
It said on its website: “The safety and well-being of our students and staff must continue to be our priority.
“Despite the measures we have put in place to keep classrooms as cool as possible, predicted temperatures and heat warnings mean that remaining on site throughout the entire school day could become increasingly uncomfortable and potentially unsafe.”
Students will be assigned work to complete at home on each of the three days.
Kingdown School and Clarendon Academy, both in Wiltshire, will close at 12.25pm from Monday to Thursday.
“We are closely monitoring the weather forecast for next week; temperatures are expected to exceed 34 degrees from Monday 22 June until Thursday 25 June,” Kingdown School said on its website. he said.
“To prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff, we have made the decision to end these days early.”
Belmont Secondary School in Haringey, north London, asked parents to collect their children at 1.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays if possible, but said the provision would remain in place for those unable to do so.
Parents of pupils at All Saints Benhilton Primary School in Sutton have also been told they can choose to collect their children at 1.15pm this week.
Forecasters say temperatures could reach 38 to 40 degrees in parts of England and Wales during the heatwave.
The UK Health Safety Agency has issued a red health alert for six regions of England – West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London and the east of England – from 1am on Wednesday until 11pm on Thursday.
Uniform rules were relaxed at some schools during the heat wave.
Castle Rock School in Coalville, Leicestershire, and St John Fisher Catholic School in Wigan said pupils could attend school without a blazer or tie, while Falkland Primary School in Newbury, West Berkshire, also said children could attend school with PE kits.
School leaders’ union NAHT has sent guidance to its members on dealing with the heat.
General Secretary Paul Whiteman said: “As temperatures continue to rise, school leaders will think carefully about how to keep pupils and staff safe and comfortable.
“While there is no legal ‘cap’ for temperature in schools, they will certainly do their best to reduce the effects of such high temperatures.
“For most people, this will mean making simple adjustments such as limiting time spent in the sun during breaks, providing additional water, making adjustments to uniform expectations where appropriate, and ventilating classrooms as best as possible.
“If, as appears to be the case, hotter summers are to become the norm, then the Government really needs to take more urgent action to improve and modernize school buildings, including a focus on ventilation and potentially air conditioning.
“School buildings need to be conducive to learning all year round.”
