England and Wales schools close early as 36°C heatwave hits

Schools across England and Wales are closing early or shutting entirely on Friday, July 10, as the United Kingdom endures its third significant heatwave of the year. The Met Office forecasts temperatures will peak on Friday, with some areas in southern England potentially reaching 36 degrees Celsius. Amber heat-health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency remain in effect for much of England, including the Midlands, London, and the South East, through the weekend.

The decision affects at least 18 schools, with many also having closed early on Thursday. Among them, Chawson Community First School in Droitwich, Worcestershire, is closing completely due to extreme heat inside the building. Dorcan Academy in Swindon will dismiss students at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. A spokesperson for the academy said the decision followed careful monitoring of forecasts and official guidance, adding that all detentions for the remainder of the week have been cancelled as a precautionary measure. Other schools implementing early closures or adjusted timetables are located in regions including Powys and Swansea in Wales, as well as Berkshire, Herefordshire, London, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.