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Hundreds of UK schools close due to heatwave

Two young boys on scooters wearing backpacks leaving school in hot sunny weather.Image source, Getty Images
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Is your school closing early this week?

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Hundreds of schools are planning to close or partially close due to high temperatures across parts of the UK this week.

More than 300 schools have so far said they will close, but the true number is likely to be higher as not all schools share this information publicly.

The vast majority of those are in the south of England, where the red weather warning is in effect from tomorrow until Thursday night.

The rare red warning is for extreme heat and covers parts of Southern England, the Midlands and South Wales.

Some schools are planning to close completely on Wednesday and Thursday, while others are open in the mornings.

Some are giving parents the option of collecting children early.

The majority of those planning to close are primary schools.

Let us know, if your school is closed or closing early? Tell us in the comments below...

People in shorts and t shirts stand in the heat in London. Big Ben's tower can be seen in the background. Image source, Getty Images
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London is expected to see the hottest temperatures in England

The Met Office have warned that people who are vulnerable, like the elderly or very young, need to be especially careful in the hot weather.

While there is no legal maximum temperature for classrooms, schools are expected to keep pupils safe from any risks to their health from the heat.

Don't forget, you can get involved in our chat about how hot your classroom is too.

Simon King from BBC Weather says the record for the hottest temperature in June could be broken on Tuesday, but it is expected to get even hotter later in the week.

"The current June all-time record is 35.6C, set in 1976.

"That could be marginally beaten this afternoon as the temperature is expected to peak at around 36C in Greater London.

"However, it will easily be exceeded in the next few days as temperatures are forecast to reach 38C or even 39C on Wednesday and Thursday.

"That would beat the old record by up to around 3 degrees. Which would be an extraordinary amount."

Don't forget to let us know if your school is closed because of the hot weather...