Peterborough school announces two-day closure to students as ‘record-breaking’ June heatwave hits

A Peterborough school has announced a two-day closure to students due to extreme temperatures expected over the next 48 hours.

Medeshamstede Academy will be closed to students today (Wednesday, June 24) and tomorrow (Thursday, June 25).

As of 9.15am, all other Peterborough schools remain open as normal.

Peterborough City Council yesterday (Tuesday, June 23) advised parents to send their children to school as normal over the coming days unless they are unwell or unless their school has told them about different arrangements.

Councillor Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “We know parents and carers may be concerned about the current extreme heat and the impact it may have on children during the school day. “Decisions about any changes to the school day, including whether to close, open as normal or adapt arrangements, are ultimately for individual schools and academy trusts to make based on their own circumstances.

“However, we have written to schools to share practical advice to help them keep children safe, cool and hydrated during the hot weather. “This advice includes considering steps such as relaxing uniform expectations where appropriate, encouraging children to bring water bottles and drink regularly, asking families to apply sun cream before school and provide sun hats or caps, moving pupils to cooler or shaded rooms where possible, keeping children out of direct sun during the hottest part of the day, reducing vigorous physical activity and providing regular shade breaks when children are outside. “Schools have also been reminded to look out for signs that a child may be affected by the heat, such as dizziness, tiredness, headache, nausea, excessive sweating, cramps, intense thirst, confusion or seeming unusually out of character.

“Where there are concerns, children should be moved to a cooler place, encouraged to sip water and helped to cool down, with urgent medical advice sought if symptoms worsen or do not improve. Schools are also advised to consider arrangements for sports days. “Children should continue to attend school as normal unless they are unwell or unless their school has told them about different arrangements.

“Schools are able to put sensible measures in place to reduce risk and keep children as comfortable as possible during periods of hot weather. “We are grateful to schools for the work they are doing to support children, staff and families during this period of extreme heat, and we encourage parents to follow any advice or updates issued by their child’s school.”

Peterborough remains under an amber warning for extreme heat until 11.59pm tomorrow.