Ice lollies and hydration breaks keep schools open
BBCShade, ice lollies and a relaxed approach to uniform are among the measures that are helping schools stay open as temperatures soar during the heatwave.
While dozens of schools across the south of England closed in the face of the hot conditions, the BBC visited two in Dorset that are keeping lessons going.
At the Prince of Wales School in Dorchester, classes have spilled out into shaded areas of the playground, with pupils swapping the indoors for cooler outdoor spaces wherever possible.
Head teacher Gary Spracklen said the priority was to adapt rather than close and believed it was "important to always be open" .
He said: "Whether it's snowing or whether it's hailing or whether there's an extreme heatwave - we just adjust our pattern of learning accordingly.
"Today we're making use of the shade outside, accessing a range of different learning resources supported by the adults and a non-school uniform approach."
Light, loose clothing has replaced traditional uniform, and pupils have been encouraged to stay cool with regular drinks, fans and ice lollies.
Along the coast in Weymouth, preparations for a production of High School Musical by Wyke Regis Primary have continued despite the heat, though not without adjustment.
Rehearsals have taken place behind closed curtains.
"The children are coping really well, we're guided by them," Year 6 lead Chris Cooper said.
"The doors [have been kept open] and thankfully, being closer to the sea, there is a breeze.
"We're having hydration breaks - we're a little bit like the World Cup."
There is a sense of determination, but also flexibility - staff say they are ready to slow things down if needed.
Even in the heat, excitement is building ahead of the performances later in the week.
"We're all in this together, as the show says, and they are getting hyped," the teacher said.
Across both schools, the approach has been one of quiet adjustment rather than interruption - finding shade where possible, easing expectations, and keeping the school day moving at a gentler pace.
But their resilience will be tested further as the week goes on, with a rare red extreme heat warning being issued by the Met Office as temperatures are forecast to rise as high as 40C (104F) later this week.