Thousands of pupils across the UK will be unable to attend school this week or will head home early due to full or partial school closures prompted by extreme heat. A heat dome settling over western Europe has driven temperatures to record levels, with 36.1°C recorded in Hampshire on Wednesday, the hottest June day on record.
Scope of closures
According to council data, around 100 schools will be at least partly closed in Somerset over the next three days, with a similar number in Buckinghamshire, 90 in Oxfordshire, and more than 80 in Gloucestershire. Many schools have cited red weather warnings and extreme heat as the reason for closures, noting that classrooms lack air conditioning and that travel to and from school could be risky in high temperatures.
Schools closing in London and the South East
In London, several schools have announced closures or early dismissals, including Sydenham School in Lewisham, Fielding Primary School and Nursery in Ealing, Cheam High School in Sutton, Oaks Park High School in Sutton, Belmont Junior School in Haringey, Archbishop Tenison’s Church of England High School in Croydon, All Saints Benhilton Primary School, Wren Academy in Enfield, Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form in Hackney, Cardinal Pole Catholic School in Hackney, and Clapton Girls’ Academy in Hackney.
Bristol and the South West
In Bristol, a large number of schools are closed on Wednesday and Thursday, including Air Balloon Hill Primary School, Ashley Down Primary School, Ashton Gate Primary School, Ashton Park School, Ashton Vale Primary School, Avanti Gardens School, Avonmouth C.E. V.C. Primary School, Badminton School, and many others. Some schools, such as Southville Primary School, are closing early at 1:30pm, while others like St Anne’s Infant School are operating with skeleton staff for children unable to stay home.
Hampshire
In Hampshire, schools such as Abbotswood Junior School, All Saints Church of England Primary School, Baycroft School, Bohunt School, Brighton Hill Community School, and Brookfield Community School are either closed or dismissing early. Many schools are offering optional early pick-up times, with some closing as early as 11:30am.
Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
In Buckinghamshire, schools including Gerrards Cross School, Cuddington and Dinton CofE School, St Joseph’s Catholic Infant School, and Buckinghamshire College Group are affected. In Oxfordshire, All Saints Church of England Primary School, Brightwell-Cum-Sotwell Church of England Primary School, Carterton Primary School, Cheney School, and Didcot Girls’ School are among those closing early or fully.
Other affected areas
Gloucestershire schools such as Archway School, Finlay Community School, and Kingsholm Primary are closed. In Devon, Clyst Vale Community College, Holywell Church Of England School, and Tiverton High School are affected. In Sussex, Mulberry Academy and Heathfield College are closed. In Wales, schools including Corneli Primary School, Afon-y-Felin Primary School, Llanwern High School, and Cardiff High School have announced closures or early dismissals.
Reaction from unions and authorities
Many schools have offered provision for students who cannot work at home or whose parents cannot collect them early. Unions have been urging schools to take action during the heatwave. Extend Learning Academies Network, which runs nine primary schools across north Somerset, said in a letter to parents: “The safety of our pupils, staff and families remains our top priority. We understand that these closures may cause inconvenience, but this decision has been made to ensure the well-being of everyone in our school community.”
Stacey Booth, GMB national officer, said: “No pupil or member of staff should be expected to learn or work in unsafe levels of heat. Once temperatures exceed 30°C, schools should act quickly, use the cooler parts of the building, reduce physical demands, increase water breaks and make sensible adjustments to uniform and duties.”
School leaders’ union NAHT and teachers’ union NASUWT have called for school buildings to be modernised and a legally enforceable maximum classroom temperature to be set. The Department for Education said it does not normally advise schools to close during hot weather because attendance is “the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential,” but added that schools should take “any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable.”
