By: Andrew Tan

Many schools across England have partially or entirely closed, stating that it was too hot to have students in the school and keep them cool simultaneously. The UK saw the hottest day in history, reaching 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even though most of the schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland are on holiday, England and Wales have been using different tactics to help keep their students cool. According to government advice, children should be in the shade as much as possible, wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water. During school, they can watch movies in the shade, have ice lollies, and have misted water sprayed at them.

To help keep students and staff members cool, ovens were banned at food technology lessons at King Charles I Primary School in Worcestershire, and the chefs took hot food off the menu in Hartford Manor Primary School and Nursery in Cheshire. In contrast, they gave the catering staff neck fans. In addition, some students in West Yorkshire spent the morning learning in a nearby church.

However, many schools are closing or letting their students have an early dismissal. The school’s head teacher of Clapton Girls’ Academy in east London wrote to parents to say, “Already, many classrooms are sweltering, even with fans, and students are struggling to keep cool, drink enough water and maintain concentration in lessons.”