Announcements

Dear Parents and Carers,

Tuesday 23rd June 2026

Following my update yesterday regarding our ongoing risk assessments, we have now made the difficult decision to move to reduced school hours for Wednesday and Thursday. As a result of the Met Office Red Weather Warning for extreme heat, school will close early at 1:00 pm on both days. We will be keeping Friday under review as the forecast is forever changing. 

This decision has been made to ensure the safety of our pupils and staff before internal classroom temperatures reach unsafe levels in the mid-afternoon. As previously noted, several of our classrooms build up significant heat throughout the day and do not cool sufficiently overnight to manage a full afternoon session safely - this was clear this morning during our site walk, even after cooler temperatures yesterday evening and the early hours of this morning. It is now breaktime and we have had to displace several classes because it is just too hot and stuffy within their classrooms. 

Key Arrangements:

• Closure Time: All children should be collected at 1:00pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

• After School Club: As confirmed previously, After School Club will remain closed on both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

• School Meals: We will continue to serve cold-only lunch options to protect our catering staff from industrial oven heat. All children will have their lunch before dismissal at 1:00 pm.

Provision:

We recognise that this short-notice change presents significant childcare challenges. We will provide a skeleton staff to supervise vulnerable children and the children of critical key workers until the end of the normal school day (3:15 pm). Please only use this service if absolutely necessary and you do not have an alternative.

These children will be moved to the coolest designated areas of the school, for low-energy indoor activities.

If you absolutely require this supervision, please complete the Emergency Attendance Form by 9:00 pm this evening.

Health and Safety Reminders:

• Clothing: Children should wear loose, lightweight, school-colored clothing. School uniform is not required. Please send your child in with an appropriate sun hat. Please do not send your child to school wearing multiple layers! We have had several children come in wearing vests, hoodies and long sleeved t-shirts!

• Hydration: Please ensure your child brings a full, reusable water bottle. We will provide frequent refill opportunities.

• Sun Cream: There will be minimal time spent directly in the sun but children will need to come to school with sun cream applied and should bring additional sun cream with them to top up. 

• Water Safety: With the early dismissal, we urge you to speak with your children about the dangers of open water and "cold water shock" in local rivers and lakes. We have covered this repeatedly within school and sent resources home to you earlier this term.

• Heat Exhaustion: Please ensure that you plan for your child to not be in the direct sunshine when not in school. Please find a cool, safe space that will offer some respite from the heat. 

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and disruption to your schedules. Our absolute priority remains the health and well-being of our school community during this unprecedented weather event.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Yours sincerely,

Gillian McDermott
Headteacher