Worcestershire school early closure list amid heat alert

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a red health warning for six regions of England – the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and east of England – from 1am on Wednesday (June 24) until 11pm on Thursday (June 25).

Forecasters say temperatures could soar to 38C and 40C in some parts of England and Wales.

Here is a list of confirmed school closures at the time of publication (Tuesday, June 23):

• Tenacres First School in Redditch which will be closing at 1pm on Wednesday (June 24) and Thursday (June 25). The closure notice said: "Parents and carers collect at 1pm as normal from the playgrounds. Thank you."
• Stoke Prior First School will be closed from 12pm on Wednesday (June 24) and Thursday (June 25). The school will remain open between 8.30am and 12pm. 
• Wribbenhall School will be closed from Tuesday (June 23) to Thursday (June 25) in response to the Met Office RED Extreme Heat Warning and UKHSA RED Heat Health Alert for the West Midlands to "safeguard the health and safety of pupils".
• ContinU Plus Academy in Kidderminster will be closed for pupils at 1.30pm each day for the rest of the week.
• Birchen Coppice Academy in Kidderminster will close at 1pm tomorrow (Tuesday, June 23), Wednesday (June 24) and Thursday (June 25) due to the heatwave. 
• Rigby Hall School in Bromsgrove has announced it will be closing at 12pm today (Tuesday, June 23) due to "rising temperatures, pupils' medical needs and the need to transport before the highest heat". 

The Department for Education said it does not normally advise schools to close during hot weather because attendance is "the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential", but that school leaders should ensure they take "any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable", as it laid out guidance on how to keep pupils safe.

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