School closures LIVE as hundreds shut today in UK heatwave amid urgent government advice

Hundreds of schools are expected to close or shut early today as the record-breaking temperatures hit the UK.

Temperatures could hit 40C today (Wednesday) in some parts of England and Wales as a ‘heat-dome’ over western Europe brings extreme conditions across the continent. A rare red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.

More than 250 schools were forced to close yesterday to protect pupils amid the heat. Hundreds of schools have already confirmed closures today as even higher temperatures are forecast.

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Almost 100 schools in Somerset will be fully closed on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Somerset Council. And around 100 schools will be at least partially closed over the next two days in Buckinghamshire, along with 86 schools in Gloucestershire, according to council data.

The Government has issued advice to schools with children told they can wear PE kit rather than full school uniform, which typically involves long trousers and blazers. Some after-school clubs have also been cancelled.

The Department for Education said on its website on Monday that ‘during hot weather, we don’t normally advise schools to close’. It added: “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.”

Red heat health alerts have also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the West Midlands, and amber heat health alerts for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber. These alerts are in place from 1am on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday, and mean ‘adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population’.

Follow our live blog below for the latest school closure and heatwave updates.