Full list of schools to close across UK as heatwave hits

UK enters critical heatwave period

The extreme conditions have become so severe that some schools have had no choice but to suspend lessons, with overheated classrooms making it increasingly difficult for pupils and staff to focus, work or remain comfortable throughout the day.

The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for extreme heat across a vast swathe of southern and central England and parts of Wales, stretching from London to Swansea and from Somerset through to Birmingham. 

The alert represents the highest level of warning, signalling potentially dangerous conditions as temperatures soar.

The conditions are expected to bring “severe and significant impacts”, including a risk to life, affecting not only those who are more vulnerable to heat but also the wider population.

Children are among those most impacted

According to government guidance, children are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses than adults. 

As a result, during these exceptional conditions, some schools have been encouraged to close their doors.

According to the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), members have been contacted and advised on how to manage the heatwave this week. 

The guidance covers the potential impact on both pupils and staff, schools’ legal responsibilities, and the circumstances in which closure may be necessary.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman has said that although there is no legal “upper limit” for temperatures in schools, school leaders will be doing everything they can to reduce the impact of the extreme heat.

This does not necessarily mean a pause in education, as teaching is continuing online, with all classes being moved to digital learning platforms.

Some schools are choosing to run shortened schedules, operating only in the morning and finishing at lunchtime over the coming days.

These include Dilton Marsh Primary and Malmesbury School in Wiltshire, Ditton Park Academy in Slough, Cheam High School in Surrey, Pewsey Vale School, The Bulmershe School in Reading, and Sydenham School in London.

This is the full list of schools that have announced closures

• Sydenham School, London

• Beechwood Primary School, Woodley

• Cranbourne School, Basingstoke

• Eggar’s School, Alton

• Grateley Primary School, Grateley

• Swanmore College, Swanmore

• Creswood Community School, Eastleigh

• Harrow Way Community School, Andover

• The Bulmershe School, Reading

• Cheam High School, Surrey

• The Hurst School, Tadley

• Reading School, Reading

• King’s Academy Prospect, Reading

• St. Crispins, Wokingham

• The Willows Primary School, Newbury

• Churchend Primary School, Reading

• Ditton Park Academy, Slough

• Silverwood School, Wiltshire

• Wren Academy, Enfield

• Kingdown School, Warminster

• Clarendon Academy, Trowbridge

• Pewsey Vale School, Pewsey

• Dilton Marsh Primary, Westbury

• Kingsholm Primary, Gloucester

• St Michael’s School, Larkhill

• Isebrook School, Kettering

• Woodland Middle School Academy, Flitwick (only for year 7 and 8)

• The Dorcan Academy, Swindon

• St John’s Marlborough School, Marlborough

• Malmesbury School, Wiltshire

• Finlay Community School, Gloucester

• Archway School, Stroud

• New Close School, Warminster

• St Michael's Academy, Somerset

• Piggot C of E School, Wargrave

• Radstock Primary School, Earley

• Maiden Erlegh School, Reading

• Willow Bank Infant School, Woodley

• South Lake Primary School, Woodley

• River Academy, Reading

• Katesgrove Primary School, Reading