Schools to send kids home early amid warning of ‘exceptionally’ hot weather – is yours on the list?
SCHOOLS will send kids home early and ban pupils from playing outside amid the warning for “exceptionally” hot weather.
The Met Office says the UK could see temperatures hit 38C and has issued an amber warning for extreme heat for much of England.
The alert will be in place from Sunday until Tuesday with the hottest temperatures expected at the start of the week.
Now some schools across the UK have revealed they will be shutting their doors early in a bid to dodge the scorching heat.
And many more could follow suit as classrooms up and down the country heat up.
Three primary schools in Herefordshire have warned parents that their kids will “not be allowed outside to play”.
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They say PE lessons will not take place on Monday or Tuesday during the peak temperatures.
The schools, Marlbrook, Little Dewchurch and St Martin’s Primary School, also say they are giving parents the option to keep their kids home on Monday, reports The Telegraph.
Meanwhile Hereford Academy is taking a European approach by changing their timetable to avoid the heat.
Schools which have so far announced they will close early
Marlbrook, Little Dewchurch and St Martin’s Primary School, Herefordshire
- Parents can decide to keep kids home on Monday
- No PE lessons or playing outside
Hereford Academy
- Changing school hours to 8.30am - 2pm on Monday and Tuesday
Clapton Girls' Academy, east London
- Closing at 12.30pm on Monday and Tuesday
We will update this list as more schools announce they're shutting early - please check back in for more information.
They will start classes at 8.30am - and let kids finish up at 2pm.
And Clapton Girls’ Academy, in east London, will close for the day at 12.30pm on Monday and Tuesday.
Head teacher Anna Feltham explained: “Already, many classrooms are very hot, even with fans, and students are struggling to keep cool, drink enough water and maintain concentration in lessons.”
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Schools follow the same rules as workplaces, which means there is a minimum temperature but no maximum temperature to warrant closure.
The Health and Safety Executive says: "During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable."
This means employers and schools have to provide "clean, fresh air" — as well as keep temperatures at a comfortable level.
What should you do during a heatwave?
It is advised to drink a lot of water in order to stay hydrated during the hot spell.
Keeping a bottle of sunscreen with you to soak up those UV rays is also highly advisable as is ensuring you have a hat to prevent sunstroke.
Don't head out during the hottest hours of the day either if you can avoid it - this is usually from around 11am to 4pm.
Trying to find shade or breezy spots during these times will be your best bet.
If you're working in an office during the hottest days of the year, read up on your rights and the best tips for surviving in sweltering indoor heat.
You might be using your fan all wrong and making your room even hotter.
Some gadgets could be pushing up your energy bill in a heatwave - here's how to save.
Measures can be taken, such as opening windows or doors, but hot temperatures won't necessarily mean a day off.
The National Union of Teachers said special measures should be put in place to reduce temperatures as soon as staff complain about feeling uncomfortable.
A report stated: "If in doubt, 26C should be used as the trigger for these measures.
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"Other steps may also need to be considered such as closing classrooms which are unacceptably hot and teaching classes elsewhere, or even sending pupils home, provided reasonable notice has been given to parents."
Parents should also make sure their kids are well equipped in a heatwave, with a hat and sunscreen if they are likely to be playing outdoors.