Dear Parent/Carer
Urgent Message - Red Extreme Heat Warning
Following the Red Extreme Heat Warning issued by the Met Office, and following consultation with the Chair of Governors, I have made the decision to close the school site to pupils and staff on Wednesday 24 June and Thursday 25 June 2026 for health and safety reasons.
We have undertaken a risk assessment and have put in place control measures to mitigate risk both yesterday and today when we have been under the Amber Weather Warning. With temperatures and Dew Point figure on Wednesday and Thursday predicted to be significantly higher leading to the Red Extreme Heat Warning being issued, we feel it would put members of our school community at risk to open for the school day.
In lesson 5 today teachers will remind pupils of the importance of staying safe in such high temperatures; to keep hydrated, stay in the shade, and keeping safe around rivers and water. Teachers will set appropriate work on google classroom over the next two days and pupils should complete this work at their own pace, and when temperatures are a little lower.
Our Year 11 and Y13 Leavers Assemblies were due to take place tomorrow. These are postponed and will be rearranged to take place later this term.
Our Year 11 Prom is due to take place tomorrow evening and cannot be rearranged. The Prom does not take place during the school day nor does it take place on school site and therefore is subject to a different risk assessment. As the buses to the venue and the venue are fully air conditioned, the event is not in the heat of the day, and there are further mitigations we can put in place, our current assessment is this event can take place. However, we will keep this under review tomorrow and inform pupils and parents if this decision should change. If parents do not wish their child to attend in the circumstances, please email Mr Owen.
We have an INSET day on Friday and this will go ahead as planned as the forecast is more in line with seasonal temperatures. We look forward to welcoming all of our pupils back to school on Monday 29 June 2026.
This is the first ever Red Extreme Heat Warning in our area and I do not take the decision to close school lightly. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Please look after yourselves.
Yours sincerely
Miss Rebecca V. Collins
Headteacher
