The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat covering parts of England and Wales, with temperatures potentially hitting 40C in places by Wednesday and Thursday. The warning, in place from 09:00 on Wednesday until 21:00 on Thursday, covers central, southern and south-east England, as well as parts of south Wales. Several schools in the affected areas have already announced they will close early – with some closing entirely – during the worst of the weather.
Despite the soaring temperatures, there is no legal maximum temperature for classrooms. The government does not normally advise schools to close, maintaining that they can usually be managed safely and that keeping children in school is important. Teaching unions have recommended that schools aim to keep indoor temperatures at a maximum of 26C, but this is guidance rather than law.
“Met Office issues rare red warning for extreme heat up to 40C, as several schools announce early closures.”
Head teachers who decide to close a school must first consult the chair of governors, their academy trust or employer. Some parents may already have received messages from schools relaxing uniform rules, allowing children to wear PE kits instead. Schools can also adjust start and finish times to avoid the hottest parts of the day, move lessons to cooler areas, and – as recommended by the Department of Health and Social Care – avoid vigorous physical activity during PE.
To monitor conditions, CO2 sensors can be used to check ventilation. The UK Health Security Agency advises that windows may need to be closed later in the day if it becomes hotter outside than inside, and fans should not be used if temperatures exceed 35C. Teaching unions said schools will always be as creative as possible in taking measures to keep children and staff comfortable, but acknowledged this will be more difficult in some buildings. They have called on the government to invest in making all school buildings more resilient to extreme weather.