Dear Parents and Carers,

We are writing to inform you that, following the issuing of a Red Weather Warning for extreme heat, the school will be closed to all students on Wednesday 24^th June and Thursday 25^th June.

A Red Weather Warning indicates a high risk to health and safety. Current guidance highlights the potential for significant impacts, including heat-related illness, particularly in environments where temperatures cannot be effectively controlled. While we have a small number of air-conditioned rooms, much of the school comprises south-facing, glass-fronted spaces, which are particularly susceptible to overheating. In addition, we do not have sufficient covered outdoor areas for safe social time during extreme heat.

The Red Weather Warning is due to end at 9:00pm on Thursday 25^th June, and a significant drop in temperature is forecast for Friday 26^th June. Therefore, the school will be open as normal on Friday 26^th June, and we look forward to welcoming students back then. 

We would also like to take this opportunity to emphasise the importance of excellent attendance, as this is key to students’ progress and success. However, this must always be balanced with safety.  We therefore expect all students to return promptly on Friday 26^th June.

Please note:

•  – Internal examinations scheduled during this period will be postponed and will now take place on Wednesday and Thursday of the following week. Further details will follow.

•  

•  – Work will be set via ClassCharts, clearly labelled with the date. We recommend that students complete this work during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning.

•  

•  – Teachers will be available via email during the day should students require support with their work

We strongly encourage all families to follow public health advice during this period of extreme heat:

•  – Stay indoors where possible, particularly during the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm)

•  

•  – Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water

•  

•  – Close curtains or blinds in sun-facing rooms

•  

•  – Check on vulnerable family members and neighbours

•  

•  – Avoid strenuous activity in peak heat

We appreciate that this may cause inconvenience, and we thank you for your understanding as we take these steps to ensure everyone’s safety.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates if necessary.