Schools across London and the UK are closing early or shutting entirely this week as a rare red weather warning for extreme heat takes effect, with temperatures expected to break June records. Transport bosses have urged the public to avoid all but essential travel.
London schools implementing early closures
Sydenham School in Lewisham will dismiss all Year 7, 8, and 9 students at 12:15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Head teacher Emma Wijnberg wrote to parents: "I am writing to inform you of some important changes to our school schedule due to the extreme heat forecast this week." Year 10 and 12 students will leave after their exams. The school's Battle of the Bands event, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been moved to 1 July.
Fielding Primary School and Nursery in Ealing will close at 12pm on Tuesday and remain shut all day Wednesday and Thursday, reopening on Friday. A statement on the school website said: "We are closing as a result of the red weather warning for extreme heat. We appreciate that many families will be managing children at home in very challenging temperatures." Remote learning via Microsoft Teams will begin on Wednesday.
Compressed days and adjusted schedules
Cheam High School in Sutton is running compressed days from 8:30am to 1:10pm from Tuesday to Friday. The school explained: "With it expected to reach up to 37 degrees outside, many classroom spaces will become hotter than this, especially in the afternoon." Students will still have five lessons each day. Year 12 exams will continue as normal, and CheamFest is still planned for Friday evening.
Oaks Park High School, also in Sutton, will finish at 12:20pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The school stated: "The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff must remain our priority." Pupils will receive work to complete at home.
Other London schools affected
Belmont Junior School in Haringey has asked parents to collect children at 1:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday where possible, but will provide supervision for those who cannot. All Saints Benhilton Primary School in Sutton has similarly offered early pickup at 1:15pm this week.
National picture: schools across England and Wales close
Many schools in Horsham, West Sussex, including Tanbridge House School (around 1,500 pupils) and the Forest School, are closing early on Wednesday and Thursday. The Buckingham School in Buckinghamshire will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, with online learning. A statement on its website 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 Wednesday and Thursday. The Dorcan Academy in Swindon finishes on-site learning at 11:30am on Tuesday and stays closed Wednesday and Thursday. Other schools, such as Pewsey Vale School and Ditton Park Academy, are closing at lunchtime on Tuesday to Thursday.
Government and union guidance
The Department for Education stated on Monday: "During hot weather, we don't normally advise schools to close." It added that school leaders should take necessary steps to ensure safety. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has written to members with guidance. 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."
