Over 1,000 UK faculties shut as Greggs closes shops earlier than baking 40C warmth hits
More than 1,000 schools across the UK have now either closed or partially closed as parts of Britain could hit 40C as high street food chain Greggs has been forced to suddenly close stores
More than 1,000 schools will be either closed or partially closed over the next two days as a rare red heat warning is in force for England and Wales. The news comes as a major high street chain is also closing multiple stores over the heat.
Despite the amount of closures across the UK, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has urged parents to send children to school if they remain open, warning “every day of absence and lesson missed has a cost”.
It comes as forecasters said temperatures could hit 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in some spots, with a red warning from the Met Office for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham, as well as in Brighton, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Hundreds of schools have made decisions to either close completely, send children home early or make other adjustments such as relaxing uniform rules to help keep students and staff safe and comfortable.
Greggs has also had to closed 11 stores temporarily today and tomorrow over saffety concerns for staff and
Speaking to the BBC, one Greggs staff member said: “It’s very hot. We have industrial ovens but no proper air conditioning in stores.”
Full list of stores impacted:
- Aldridge
- Wolverhampton
- Luton
- Gosport
- Trowbridge
- Barnet
- Marlborough
- Wantage
- Dudley
- Northampton
- Leicester Square, London.
More than 100 schools will be at least partly closed over the next days in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire.
In Somerset, more than 200 schools will be shut or operating on more limited opening hours.
Pupils will also either not be able to attend school or head home earlier than usual at settings in London, Essex, East Sussex, West Berkshire, Devon, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
Many schools have explicitly cited red weather warnings and extreme heat for the reasons behind closures, with some explaining classrooms lack air conditioning and that travel to and from school could be risky in the high temperatures.
Bridget Phillipson said: “I know hot weather can be a struggle. But my message to families is simple: if your child’s school is open, you should keep sending them into school.
“Teachers are relaxing uniform rules, keeping classrooms cool, making sure children are hydrated, teaching critical skills like water safety, and avoiding vigorous activity on the hottest days. If your child has medical needs which mean you’re especially worried about the heat, talk to your school about what they can do.
“Every day of absence and lesson missed has a cost – and that cost falls hardest on our most disadvantaged pupils and working class communities. So, pack a water bottle, put on the sunscreen, and trust that your child’s school has got this.”
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