Following a comprehensive risk assessment and careful consideration of the official advice issued by the Met Office and public health authorities, the decision has been taken to close the school on Wednesday and Thursday in the interests of the health, safety and wellbeing of our pupils, staff and wider school community. A Red Extreme Heat Warning has been issued. This is the highest level of weather warning and is reserved for exceptional circumstances where there is a significant risk to life and widespread impacts.

The accompanying official guidance advises that:

– adverse health effects may be experienced across the whole population, not only by those who are usually considered vulnerable;
– substantial changes to normal working practices and daily routines will be required;
– there is an increased risk of failures to essential infrastructure and services; and
– travel disruption and other significant impacts are likely.

In reaching this decision, the school has taken full account of the official advice received, together with its statutory duties under health and safety legislation to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of pupils, employees and visitors. We carefully considered all available options, including a partial closure; however, we concluded that sending pupils home part-way through the school day would not be the most appropriate course of action. Whilst we appreciate that closing the school will cause inconvenience for some families, the forecast conditions mean that we cannot be satisfied that the school can operate safely. High indoor temperatures, limited opportunities to maintain safe learning environments, and the increased risk of heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat-related illness present an unacceptable level of risk, particularly for young children and those with underlying health conditions.

During this period of hot weather, we ask that families continue to support children to stay safe by:

– Keeping hydrated and drinking plenty of water
– Using appropriate sun protection, including sunscreen and hats
– Avoiding prolonged time in direct sun during the hottest parts of the day

We would also like to remind families about water safety. Warmer weather can mean children are more likely to visit rivers, lakes or coastal areas. These environments can present significant unseen risks, including cold water shock, strong currents and deep water. Please ensure children are appropriately supervised and understand the importance of staying safe around open water. For further information, the RNLI shares some useful information on its website: RNLI urges families to share water safety advice during hot weather | RNLI

To ensure continuity of learning during this period, all teachers will set appropriate classwork for students via Arbor. Where possible, teachers will use today’s lessons to set and explain work for students to complete during the closure period (Wednesday and Thursday), so that expectations are clear and students are well prepared.

Please note that all afterschool clubs will be cancelled Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

We expect schools to be open as usual on Friday 26th June 2026 but will keep families updated of any changes to this.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.