Will UK Schools Be Forced To Shut As Red Extreme Heat Alert Issued?

Much of the south is in the grips of another heatwave , with temperatures set to hit highs of 37°C this week. In southeast Wales, temperatures are expected to reach 35°C, while eastern areas are set to see a toasty 33°C. As a result, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a series of red, amber and yellow heat health alerts. The Met Office has also issued a rare red extreme heat warning for parts of central and southern England and Wales, running from Monday to Thursday evening. It is likely the current highest temperature on record for June (35.6°C recorded in Southampton in June 1976) will be broken. While school leaders scramble to make the school day more comfortable for pupils – relaxing uniform rules, encouraging kids to stay hydrated and wear sun hats, and keeping them in the shade or indoors for the hottest parts of the day – some parents (and teachers) will likely be wondering whether there’s a temperature threshold where children might need to remain home instead. When is it too hot to go to school? As it stands, there’s no maximum threshold set where it would be deemed too hot to go to school. A blog post from the UK government in 2025 said : “During hot weather, we don’t normally advise schools to close. This is because school attendance is the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential, and hot weather can usually be managed safely.” But the same guidance suggests that using fans at temperatures above 35°C “may not prevent heat-related illness and could worsen dehydration”. Some UK schools do not have sufficient cooling measures in place. On 22 June, a handful of schools in the west of England confirmed to the BBC they’d be finishing lessons early,...