Dear parents and carers,

Level 4 Red Extreme Heat Warning – Monday 18th of July and Tuesday 19th of July

As you will be aware, the Met Office has issued a Level 4 Red Extreme Heat Warning for Monday and Tuesday of next week. The Government has declared this a national emergency and as such, schools have been instructed to review its operations whilst this warning is in place

We understand that you may be anxious about your children attending school on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  The Department for Education is not advising schools to close, but does acknowledge that children cannot control their body temperature as efficiently as adults during hot weather and can be at risk of ill health from heat.

If you feel that your child would be safer at home with you, then we will understand, but ask that you notify the school so that any absence can be recorded correctly.

For those of you who feel comfortable sending your children to school, the school will be making some changes next week. These are summarised below:

Play times, lunchtimes and PE: there will be no playing outside on the playground or field or any PE activities on Monday, the 18th of July and Tuesday, the 19th of July.  If the outside ambient temperature in the shade is cool enough, children will be permitted to sit outside during break time and lunchtime.  If it is too hot, then the children will be kept inside.

Assemblies: There will be no whole school assemblies.

Year 6 leavers event: Unfortunately we have had to cancel this event. Year 6 parents we will be in touch shortly as trying to reschedule this for Wednesday.

General information

Children are not required to wear school uniform for the remainder of this term. Please can you ensure that you continue to apply sunscreen to your children prior to coming to school. They can also bring the named bottle of sunscreen into school to be reapplied during the day.  The children must also have a sun hat and water bottle.

Please be assured that we will do all we can to ensure that your children are as comfortable as possible next week and that their safety will remain a paramount consideration during this unprecedented hot weather.

Kindest regards

Awilson