As the UK swelters under a heatwave, schools across London are taking drastic measures to protect students from the extreme temperatures. With temperatures forecast to soar to 37C on Wednesday, the hottest June day on record, many schools are opting for early closures or full closures to ensure the safety and comfort of their pupils. This is a significant shift from the Department for Education's usual advice, which encourages schools to maintain attendance as the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential.
One school, Cheam High School in Sutton, has decided to run shorter school days until Friday, compressing the day from 8.30am to 1.10pm. This decision is driven by the need to keep classrooms cool, as many spaces are expected to reach temperatures hotter than 37C, especially in the afternoon. The school is also offering students the option to purchase school meals before leaving, and parents are advised to ensure their children have full water bottles and wear high-factor sunscreen.
In Hackney, several schools have taken early closures, including Simon Marks Jewish Primary School, Wentworth Nursery School, Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form, and a string of other schools. Some, like Cardinal Pole Catholic School and Clapton Girls' Academy, are closing early on specific days, while others, like Millfields Community School and Queensbridge Primary School, are adjusting their opening hours. Shacklewell Primary School, for instance, is now open from 8am to 1pm from June 23 to 26.
In Ealing, Fielding Primary, John Perryn Primary, and North Ealing Primary will be fully closed on Wednesday and Thursday, while Acton Gardens Primary and Blair Peach Primary will be open but allowing parents to collect pupils from 1.15pm. Clifton Primary will fully close from 1pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and Dormer Wells Primary will be fully closed in the afternoon on those days. Havelock Primary will be fully closed from 1.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and Khalsa Primary is offering early pickup from 1.30pm on those days.
In Croydon, Headteacher Richard Parrish has advised parents to send students to school in PE kit without blazers, and to bring pens, equipment, and fobs for the school canteen. Lunch will be served earlier on Wednesday and Thursday, and students will be dismissed at 12.45pm. The Year 10 exams on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons will be moved to early next week, and the Art Exhibition and Battlefield Information Evening will be postponed.
The heatwave has also prompted calls for school buildings to be modernised and a legally enforceable maximum classroom temperature to be set. School leaders' union NAHT and teachers' union NASUWT have made these calls, highlighting the need for better infrastructure to protect students and staff from extreme heat. The Department for Education has responded by laying out guidance on how to keep pupils safe, but has not advised schools to close during hot weather.
As the heatwave continues, schools across London are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. While some are opting for early closures, others are adjusting their opening hours or providing alternative arrangements. The extreme heat is a stark reminder of the need for better infrastructure and policies to protect students and staff from the impacts of climate change.
