Wednesbury school 'to close for two days' due to red weather warning
A letter circulating on social media states a school in Wednesbury will close due to extreme heat.
A school in Wednesbury is set to ‘close for two days’ this week following the red weather warning issued by the Met Office.
A letter, which is circulating online, states that Wood Green Academy will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday (June 24 and 25) due to the extreme heat forecast across the region.
Yesterday, the Met Office has issued a rare Red Extreme Heat Warning for those days, alongside Amber warnings from Monday through Thursday across much of southern and central England and Wales.
Temperatures are set to climb from around 34°C on Monday (June 22) to a peak of at least 39°C on Wednesday (June 24) and Thursday (June 25), with the potential to break June’s all-time UK daily temperature record.
The letter, which appears to be from the school, explains that the school intends to closed due to a number of classrooms being “susceptible to overheating.”
It reads: “I am 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 24th June and Thursday 25th 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 25th June, and a significant drop in temperature is forecast for Friday 26th June. Therefore, the school will be open as normal on Friday 26th 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 26th June.”
The academy has been contacted for further comment.